Lab Infrastructure Engineer

Job Description: Lab Infra Engineer – Systems Engineering

Location: Burlingame, CA (Onsite – 5 days/week)

Experience: 8+ years

Full Time

Role Overview

One of our clients develops next-generation hardware devices powered by custom firmware and software. These devices are continuously validated in lab environments to identify bugs, performance issues, and system reliability gaps.

As a Lab Infra Engineer , you will play a critical role in the Systems Engineering function , supporting prototype bring-up, test execution, device farm operations, and cross-functional engineering efforts. You will act as the backbone of lab operations, ensuring devices and infrastructure are always ready for testing and validation cycles.

Key Responsibilities

Prototype Device Setup & Lab Operations

• Set up, configure, and maintain prototype hardware devices and test systems .
• Support device provisioning, firmware flashing, and configuration changes requested by engineering teams.
• Maintain lab infrastructure including racks, devices, cables, and power/network connectivity.

Device Farm & Test Infrastructure Support

• Manage and monitor prototype device farms used for automated testing workflows .
• Ensure systems are test-ready and operational for continuous integration (CI) pipelines .
• Perform manual intervention when automated systems fail or require remediation.

Testing & Validation Support

• Execute hardware, firmware, and system-level test procedures across devices.
• Support debugging test failures by isolating hardware vs software issues.
• Assist in validation activities covering functional, regression, performance, and reliability testing .

Troubleshooting & Issue Triage

• Investigate and troubleshoot device failures, connectivity issues, and test anomalies .
• Work with engineering teams to capture logs, perform root-cause analysis, and escalate defects .

Lab Maintenance & Operations

• Maintain lab cleanliness, organization, and safety standards .
• Track inventory of devices, cables, and consumables; support calibration and maintenance schedules.
• Document configurations, issues, and test results accurately.

Cross-Functional Support

• Collaborate with Systems Engineering, Firmware, Hardware, and Infrastructure teams .
• Support rapid prototyping cycles and bring-up activities for new hardware platforms .
• Assist engineers during debug sessions, experiments, and validation cycles.
• Work with third-party vendor team and internal stakeholders for any HW equipment and accessories.

Required Qualifications

• 8 years of experience in lab infra engineer, hardware validation, or test lab environment .
• Hands-on experience working with consumer electronics, embedded systems, or prototype devices .
• Strong understanding of device setup, configuration, and hardware troubleshooting .
• Familiarity with Linux operating systems and basic command-line operations .
• Ability to analyze logs, document results, and track issues systematically .
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow structured test procedures .

Preferred Skills

• Experience with device automation environments or CI/CD test infrastructure (e.g., Jenkins) .
• Basic scripting knowledge ( Python or Shell ) for test execution/debugging.
• Exposure to Android/iOS debugging tools (ADB, Logcat.
• Familiarity with networking, device provisioning, and lab-scale hardware setups .
• Prior experience in AR/VR, wearable devices, or consumer hardware R&D environments .

Education

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in:
• Electrical/Electronics Engineering
• Computer Engineering / Computer Science

Key Competencies

• Strong hands-on technical troubleshooting capability
• Ability to work in fast-paced R&D lab environments
• High level of ownership and operational discipline
• Effective cross-team communication and collaboration
• Detail-oriented with strong documentation mindset

Work Environment & Expectations

• Onsite role (5 days/week) due to hardware and lab dependencies.
• Work in a high-velocity engineering environment with rapid iterations.
• Requires flexibility to support debug cycles and test execution timelines .