Lead Hardware Test Engineer, Data Center

Google’s custom-designed machines make up one of the largest and most powerful computing infrastructures in the world. The Hardware Testing Engineering team ensures that this cutting-edge equipment is reliable. In the R&D lab, you design test equipment for prototypes of our machinery and develop the protocols used to scale these tests for the entire global team. Working closely with design engineers, you give input on designs to improve our hardware until you’re sure it meets Google’s standards of quality and reliability.

You use your technical expertise to create test plans for highly complex platforms (e.g., validating the interaction of multiple pieces of equipment at the networking and subsystem levels), and diagnose highly complex hardware or software issues using your deep knowledge of component design characteristics. You also consult on testing issues for vendors and manufacturers.

Play a key role in the development of one of the world’s most impressive computing infrastructures! Our experienced Hardware Test Engineers have backgrounds in servers, storage and/or networking technology. As a Lead Hardware Test Engineer, your objective will be to review new product designs for cutting edge server and storage platforms, to develop test plans to reveal hardware problems and to continually improve the test processes. As a Technical Lead (TL) for the team your scope of work extends past you as an individual contributor. As such, you are accountable for hardware testing as a function, including its short-term and long-term vision, as well as your fellow contributors.

Behind everything our users see online is the architecture built by the Technical Infrastructure team to keep it running. From developing and maintaining our data centers to building the next generation of Google platforms, we make Google’s product portfolio possible. We’re proud to be our engineers’ engineers and love voiding warranties by taking things apart so we can rebuild them. We’re always on call to keep our networks up and running, ensuring our users have the best and fastest experience possible.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with development teams to understand new project architectures and system components. Plan, execute, and document tests to verify and validate system bring-up, integration, reliability and performance.
• Strive for efficiency and efficacy in test execution, data gathering, data analysis and reporting.
• Investigate test outcomes thoroughly and participate in root cause analysis of undefined behaviors. Communicate findings and recommendations.
• Develop new product requirements based on test discoveries and feedback from partner teams.

Qualifications
Minimum qualifications:

• BS Degree in Computer Science (CS), Electrical Engineering (EE), Computer Engineering (CPEG) or equivalent experience.
• 5 years of relevant work experience in an engineering test/validation role.
• Experience with hardware evaluation methodologies, including test equipment, stress testing, performance monitoring, test automation and data analysis.
• Experience with Linux or other Unix operating systems.

Preferred qualifications:

• Demonstrated technical leadership and mentoring skills.
• Demonstrated scripting and/or programming skills.
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time.