Hardware Test Engineer

About this job

Optics11 is a fast-growing high-tech company based in Amsterdam, developing advanced fiber optic sensing systems for the most demanding environments. Our technology detects the earliest signs of failure in critical assets – from high-voltage energy infrastructure to subsea and defense applications – and gives our customers precise, real-time data they can act on. Within our Underwater Security business we develop sensing technologies that help detect and monitor underwater threats. Our solutions include OptiBarrier, designed for immediate, over-the-horizon threat detection, and OptiArray, our low-power optical thin-line towed array for unmanned underwater vehicles and submarines. Role Overview As a Hardware Test Engineer at Optics11, you play a key role in ensuring the quality, reliability, and performance of our fiber-optic sensing systems. You develop and execute hardware tests at board and sub-system level, identifying potential issues early and helping our engineers deliver robust, production-ready solutions. Combining hands-on hardware engineering with test automation, you build test setups, analyze results, support prototype development, and help transfer testing processes from R&D to production. You will be part of our Sensing Platform Team, working closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, production, and external partners. What You'll Do Hardware Testing & Automation • Develop and execute test plans and procedures for electronic boards, assemblies, and sub-systems. • Design and maintain test setups, fixtures, and jigs for functional, electrical, and optical testing. • Perform environmental, stability, and robustness testing, including thermal cycling, vibration, and EMC/ESD pre-compliance. • Develop Python-based test automation for instrument control, data logging, and analysis. • Document test procedures, results, and findings, ensuring clear traceability and reproducibility. Prototyping & Production Support • Support prototype assembly, soldering, rework, cable assembly, and fiber handling and splicing. • Develop and improve production and Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) setups, procedures, and test jigs. • Support troubleshooting, repairs, and root-cause investigations during development and production. • Maintain an organized, safe, and well-equipped R&D laboratory, including equipment calibration and materials management. Technical Analysis & Continuous Improvement • Analyze test results to evaluate hardware performance, identify risks, and support engineering decisions. • Investigate hardware failures and collaborate with design engineers on corrective actions. • Contribute to design-for-test and design-for-manufacturing improvements. • Identify opportunities to improve test methods, automation, and product reliability. Collaboration & Delivery • Work closely with Electronics, Photonics, Embedded Software, Mechanical Engineering, IVVQ, and production teams. • Support the handover of tested hardware and documentation to integration, validation, and production teams. • Independently plan and execute assigned activities, communicating progress, risks, and dependencies. • Share technical knowledge, contribute to design reviews, and support continuous improvement across the team. What we offer • Join one of Europe’s fastest-growing deep-tech scale-ups. • Real impact: your work directly shapes our growth and success. • A great team in an international organization with colleagues from more than twenty nationalities. • A competitive salary and benefits package. • 30 days of holiday per year. • Fresh team lunches five times a week, plus regular team activities and company events. Qualifications • BSc (HBO) in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Mechatronics, Applied Physics, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent experience. • 2+ years of relevant experience in hardware testing, test engineering, prototyping, or lab work on electronic or electro-optical products. • Hands-on experience with laboratory instruments such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, signal generators, and data loggers; experience with optical power meters is an advantage. • Experience executing test plans and procedures, logging and analyzing measurement data, and documenting results in clear test reports. • Good soldering and rework skills for through-hole and SMD components, including building custom cables and harnesses, and the ability to read schematics, PCB layouts, wiring diagrams, and assembly drawings. • Experience with or good understanding of environmental testing (e.g. temperature, thermal cycling, vibration) and of EMC/ESD principles. • Python skills for test automation, instrument control, and data analysis; experience with LabVIEW, embedded Linux or similar tools is advantageous. • Awareness of ESD-safe working practices and lab safety, including laser safety, or willingness to be trained. • A structured, practical, and hands-on working style, and real enjoyment of testing, finding problems, and getting hardware to work. • Good communication skills in English and a collaborative working style. • Eligible for EU/NATO security clearance. Preferred • Experience with fiber handling, connector cleaning and inspection, and fusion splicing. • Experience with EMC pre-compliance measurements (e.g. EN 55032/CISPR 32 emissions, IEC 61000-4-x immunity) or environmental test standards (e.g. IEC 60068, MIL-STD-810). • IPC certification (e.g. IPC-A-610 or IPC J-STD-001) or experience with ESD control programs (IEC 61340-5-1). • Experience developing production test setups, test jigs, or programming fixtures, or supporting NPI and production transfer with electronics manufacturing partners. • Experience in multidisciplinary high-tech product development (e.g. sensing, photonics, instrumentation, defence, or subsea). Screening You will work with clients in the defense and security sectors. Obtaining a Certificate of No Objection issued by the AIVD, the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service, is mandatory. This means you will need to undergo a security screening. We will explain the process and guide you through the applicable requirements.