Principal Quality Assurance Engineer

Job Description

As a Lead QA Engineer at Fluence, you will play a crucial role in validating gigawatt-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and ensuring the high availability of our control software. Taking ownership of an established, high-performance automation ecosystem, you will focus on end-to-end validation of complex power systems, grid-forming integration, and advanced hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing.

Key Responsibilities

• Automation Ecosystem Management: Maintain, enhance, and scale our existing automated testing frameworks.
• Performance Engineering: Utilize our high-performance Rust and Python test environments to identify and mitigate P99.9+ latency outliers, ensuring performance for critical controls operations.
• Infrastructure & Simulation: Manage and expand containerized (Docker) simulation models and HMI performance testing environments to support agile development and stress-test system responsiveness.
• Integrated HIL Testing: Execute and refine HIL API integration test suites, validating grid forming applications and integrated system performance.
• Commissioning & Integration Support: Serve as a technical escalation point for live remote commissioning of production sites, troubleshooting real-time integration issues across Modbus (TCP/RTU), MQTT (Sparkplug B), or PostgreSQL.
• Agile Leadership: Drive the adoption and enforcement of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) product strategy and agile methodologies across engineering teams, acting as strong advocate for process discipline in a dynamic environment.
• Technical Leadership: Lead technical workshops, mentor junior QA and systems engineers, and maintain robust process documentation to propagate best practices across the engineering teams.
• Quality Metrics: Drive continuous improvement in test coverage, reliability, and CI/CD pipeline efficiency.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education & Experience: M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
• 8+ years of experience in software quality assurance, test engineering, or a related field within the energy storage, power systems, or industrial controls industries.
• Core Skills: Strong proficiency in Python (or similar object-oriented scripting language) for test automation and system simulation. Experience working within and contributing to Agile/Scrum methodologies.
• Tools: Solid experience with CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Jenkins), GIT, and Linux/Bash.
• Soft Skills: Excellent ability to write technical documentation, lead cross-functional workshops, and drive issue resolution.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Agile Strategy: SAFe Certification (e.g., SAFe Agilist, SAFe Practitioner) or deep, proven experience implementing and scaling SAFe product strategies in complex hardware/software ecosystems.
• Advanced Programming: Practical experience with Rust, particularly in the context of high-performance tooling or simulation.
• Specialized Testing: Extensive background in Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing, API validation (REST/GraphQL), and HMI/SCADA performance validation.
• Protocols: Deep expertise in networking and messaging protocols, specifically Modbus (TCP/RTU), OPC UA, and MQTT (Sparkplug B).
• Power Systems: Familiarity with BESS control algorithms, Grid Forming Inverters, Primary Frequency Response, or power systems analysis tools (MATLAB/Simulink, Wireshark).
• Infrastructure: Proficiency in Docker container creation, orchestration, and infrastructure troubleshooting.
• Analysis Tools: Competency with MATLAB/Simulink and Wireshark for deep system troubleshooting.

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a resume and cover letter at [email protected] for consideration.

Our Culture

At Fluence, our culture is the foundation that drives our ambitious growth strategy and fuels our mission to transform the future of energy. Our core cultural pillars empower us to innovate, collaborate, and lead with purpose, ensuring we continue to deliver unparalleled value to our customers and the world.

Unleash Voices

We believe every voice matters. We encourage openness, active listening, and decisive action to create a culture where everyone has the opportunity to contribute to our success. We foster an environment where diverse perspectives are heard and valued, driving innovation and progress.

Customer Fluent

Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. We're committed to delivering exceptional value that exceeds expectations by understanding our customers' needs and adapting swiftly to meet them. Our deep focus on customer satisfaction drives us to continuously improve and innovate.

Infinite Impact

We are committed to creating the impossible. We push boundaries to deliver sustainable, game-changing solutions that shape a brighter, more energy-efficient future for all. Our team is passionate about making a lasting impact that will resonate for generations to come.

All In

We are all in for growth. Our teams are relentlessly focused on identifying and seizing opportunities that propel us forward. We embrace an ownership mindset, pushing ourselves and each other to accelerate progress and create lasting success.