Hardware Test Engineer
Convergent Research
Software Engineering, Other Engineering, Quality Assurance
Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posted on Jun 24, 2025
Forest Neurotech is seeking a Hardware Test Engineer for the development, execution, and management of testing processes, diagnostics, and failure analysis for our groundbreaking ultrasound-on-chip implant designed for minimally invasive brain-computer interfacing.
Forest Neurotech is developing an ultrasound based BCI to accelerate the study and treatment of the human brain. Ultrasound is capable of measuring and stimulating brain-wide activity in a minimally invasive manner. This opens new avenues for research into personalized therapies across a range of psychiatric and cognitive disorders.
Forest launched out of Caltech with support from former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, Griffin Catalyst, the philanthropic organization of Citadel CEO Kenneth C. Griffin, the Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation, and Amaranth Foundation founder James Fickel. Concurrent with its launch in October 2023, Forest partnered with Butterfly Network (NYSE:BFLY), a digital health company developing semiconductor-based ultrasound technology. Visit www.forestneurotech.org to learn more.
Forest is structured as a Focused Research Organization (FRO). FROs are a new type of startup-nonprofit hybrid organization for pursuing advanced scientific projects not achievable in academia or a VC-backed startup. As an FRO, Forest can execute with the intensity and focus of a founder-led startup, but with the mission and operational flexibility to maximally advance neurotechnology and benefit society.
Forest launched in late 2023 with five years of runway. Salaries are competitive with industry.
Responsibilities
- Develop, document, and maintain hardware test protocols, fixtures, and diagnostic procedures for manufacturing and R&D.
- Design and automate test systems using Python and instruments to improve throughput and coverage.
- Perform board-level debugging and root-cause analysis of hardware issues arising in production, validation, and prototyping stages.
- Analyze test data to identify failure modes, trends, and systemic issues; propose and drive corrective actions.
- Collaborate with design and manufacturing teams to implement DFT (design-for-test) and DFM (design-for-manufacture) strategies.
- Contribute to verification and validation testing for quality, regulatory, and clinical requirements (e.g., ISO 13485).
Skills & Qualifications
- Years of experience: (MS+2 years) to (BS+7 years)
- Degrees / certifications (if applicable): Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
- Hard skills (technical, scientific, operational):
- Electronic circuit debugging and root-cause analysis
- Test automation (Python, bonus for C/C++)
- PCB schematic/layout review and hands-on lab rework
- Familiarity with DFT/DFM strategies
- Soft skills (collaboration, communication, leadership):
- Strong collaboration across EE, ME, firmware, and manufacturing teams
- Clear documentation and communication of complex issues
- Proactive problem-solving and ownership of deliverables
- Tools / systems knowledge:
- Oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, DAQs, power supplies, electronic loads, DMMs
- Software version control (e.g., Git)
- Schematic/layout tools (e.g., Altium, KiCad – basic literacy sufficient)
- Experience with ISO 13485 or medical device quality systems.
- Background in ultrasound/acoustic hardware, neural recording, or low-noise analog design.
- Data analysis tools (e.g., pandas, Jupyter)
- Experience in fast-paced startups or research engineering environments with hardware iteration loops.
Nice to Have: