IONATE is a deep technology scale-up building the hardware and software backbone for smart grids. Our mission is to transform power systems - from grids and microgrids to renewables and datacenters - unlocking the massive potential in this under-innovated sector that touches every aspect of our modern lives.
We are now looking for a Test and Validation Engineer to join our Hardware team. You will play a critical role in developing, executing, and validating comprehensive test strategies for our power electronics systems and hardware. Working across our Hybrid Intelligent Transformer (HIT) technology and associated subsystems, you will ensure our products meet the highest standards for performance, safety, reliability and compliance.
With a hands-on approach to testing and validation, you will actively contribute to design verification, prototype testing, FAT, and field commissioning activities. You will also be responsible for our laboratory, ensuring it remains well-organized and is utilised to its fullest potential. You will be closely embedded within our multidisciplinary hardware team, collaborating with power electronics designers, embedded software engineers, mechanical engineers, control systems specialists, transformer design experts, and project managers.
What you will do:
- Develop and implement test plans that align with product development phases, regulatory requirements, and project timelines for power conversion systems and HIT-related hardware.
- Plan and execute comprehensive testing activities including but not limited to: PCB functional tests, design proving tests, system integration tests, environmental tests, and FAT.
- Conduct hands-on testing using laboratory equipment to validate, characterise, or troubleshoot our hardware products.
- Create and maintain test documentation including test plans, test procedures, test specifications, and detailed technical reports.
- Perform electrical safety, EMC, and compliance testing for high-voltage and high-power systems, ensuring alignment with relevant standards (LVD, EMC, grid connection codes, CE, UL) and preparing systems for external certification.
- Troubleshoot and diagnose hardware and system-level issues uncovered during testing, working closely with mechanical, embedded software, and systems engineers to identify root causes and support corrective actions.
- Occasionally support field testing and commissioning activities at customer, partner, or pilot sites, ensuring that systems operate safely and meet performance specifications in real-world grid environments.
- Lead and maintain high laboratory standards, including organisation, housekeeping, data management, inventory control, and equipment calibration, in collaboration with the leadership team, to uphold EHS compliance.
- Actively participate in design reviews and technical discussions across the multidisciplinary hardware team, providing test perspectives on design decisions, manufacturability, and validation feasibility.
- Develop and optimise test tooling and automation where appropriate to improve test efficiency, repeatability and coverage whilst maintaining rigor.
- Ensure test cases are developed based on project scope and design requirements, and maintain testing reports and evidence for quality and audit purposes.
- Champion continuous improvement in testing processes, suggesting enhancements to increase efficiency and effectiveness as our product portfolio scales.
Requirements
Educational & Professional Background:
- Strong hands-on experience in hardware testing, validation, or verification roles within electronics, power electronics, or related engineering environments.
- Experience working in a laboratory environment, with a strong understanding of standard laboratory practices and procedures.
Technical Testing Skills:
- Proficiency with standard electrical test and measurement equipment: oscilloscopes, power analysers, multi-meters, insulation testers, power supplies, load banks, and data acquisition systems.
- Ability to read and interpret complex technical drawings, wiring diagrams, PCB schematics, and system block diagrams.
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and diagnose faults down to component level.
It would be useful to have:
- Experience testing power electronics converters (AC/DC, DC/AC, DC/DC) or inverter systems.
- Understanding of DFT principles.
- Experience with environmental or reliability testing (vibration, thermal cycling, humidity, EMI).
- Working knowledge of high-voltage and high-power system testing (ideally experience with systems up to 1 kV).
- Familiarity with relevant standards and regulations: LVD, EMC, electrical safety, and grid connection codes (or strong ability to learn quickly).
- Knowledge of quality management and compliance frameworks (ISO 9001, ISO 17025) is beneficial.
Benefits
- Employee Option Plan: You get equity in IONATE, so as we succeed so do you.
- Private Medical & Dental Insurance: From day one, we provide you with full, comprehensive private medical and dental cover through Bupa. You also have the option to add any dependents to your cover. Please ask us for more details.
- Company pension: a flexible, and sustainable pension product to help you plan for your future.
- Career Development: It’s important to us that you have the opportunity for ongoing professional development and career growth. You will receive an annual budget for professional development and work with your team to set and reach goals every year.
- Flexible working schedules: You will have the flexibility for work-from-home arrangements. Talk to us at the application stage about this.
- Cycle to Work Scheme: Low carbon travel is important for everyone, so we have in place a cycle scheme to help you purchase a bicycle.
- Slow travel: We believe in a low carbon future, so if you wish to travel by a lower carbon method – but it takes much longer than flying - we will give you an extra 2 slow travel days per year.