Software Test Engineer

Job Title: Test Engineer

Job Description

This Test Engineer role focuses on developing software test automation and leading hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing for embedded control systems. The position plays a key role in coordinating onshore and offshore testing activities, defining test strategies and priorities, and ensuring high-quality verification and validation of complex systems used in off-highway machinery, automotive, industrial controls, and similar industries.

Responsibilities

• Develop software test automation solutions for embedded control systems, dedicating approximately half of your time to designing, implementing, and maintaining automated test scripts.
• Coordinate daily with offshore engineering teams, spending roughly half of your time aligning schedules, expectations, and deliverables across global locations.
• Facilitate clear and consistent communication between the onshore team and offshore teams to ensure shared understanding of requirements, test plans, and project goals.
• Coordinate and clarify system and software requirements, defining software-in-the-loop (SIL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) boundaries and establishing test priorities based on project needs.
• Configure, maintain, and execute the pilot HIL framework, ensuring test environments are correctly set up and optimized for accurate and repeatable testing.
• Assist in technical mentoring of offshore team members by providing guidance on test strategies, tools, frameworks, and best practices.
• Review test cases, test scripts, and test reports to ensure completeness, accuracy, and alignment with requirements and verification and validation standards.
• Execute HIL scripts and perform bench activities, including running tests, monitoring results, and troubleshooting issues in the test environment.
• Mentor junior-level engineers by sharing technical knowledge, offering feedback, and supporting their professional growth, without having formal direct reports.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to scope questions effectively, clarify ambiguous requirements, and ensure that test objectives are well-defined and achievable.
• Act assertively and proactively to identify issues, propose solutions, and drive actions to resolution with minimal oversight.
• Apply a strong understanding of verification and validation concepts, including functional, performance, and regression testing, as well as boundary conditions and positive and negative test cases.
• Analyze and interpret system and software requirements to design effective test strategies and identify potential gaps or inconsistencies.
• Use test equipment and tools to support HIL and SIL testing activities, ensuring accurate measurement and data collection during test execution.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Hands-on experience developing test scripts in Python for automation and verification of embedded or control systems.
• Experience using Opal-RT or similar platforms for hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing of embedded control systems.
• Practical experience with HIL testing methodologies, including configuration, execution, and analysis of test results.
• Knowledge and experience with controller area network (CAN), J1939, and other data link communication protocols used in embedded and industrial systems.
• Strong understanding of common software verification and validation concepts, including functional testing, performance testing, regression testing, boundary condition testing, and positive and negative test cases.
• Experience analyzing and interpreting system and software requirements to develop test plans, test cases, and test scripts.
• Ability to read and understand hardware schematics to determine input/output and communication port connections for test setups.
• Experience working with off-highway heavy machinery, automotive systems, industrial controls, or other industries that utilize SIL and HIL for testing embedded control systems.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain technical information clearly to diverse audiences, including global and culturally diverse teams.
• Good organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple activities effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to identify needed actions and independently act to resolve issues with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work effectively with different types of colleagues and stakeholders, adapting communication style as needed.
• Capability to scope questions well, asking precise and targeted questions to clarify requirements and resolve ambiguities.
• Assertive approach to collaboration and problem-solving, while maintaining professionalism and respect in all interactions.
• Self-starter mindset with a high level of motivation and initiative.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Familiarity with software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing concepts and their relationship to HIL testing.
• Experience with test equipment and tools commonly used in software and hardware testing environments.
• Experience in embedded control systems across multiple industries, which supports broader understanding of system behaviors and test strategies.
• Ability to mentor junior engineers and support offshore team members through clear guidance and knowledge sharing.
• Comfort working in a culturally diverse environment and collaborating across time zones.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail when reviewing test cases, scripts, and reports.
• Ability to work effectively without direct reports while still providing leadership and technical direction to others.

Work Environment

This role is based in Peoria, Illinois, and follows a Monday through Friday work schedule. You will work in a professional engineering environment focused on embedded control systems testing, with regular use of HIL and SIL frameworks, test benches, and tools such as Opal-RT, CAN, and J1939 communication interfaces. The position involves close collaboration with both local and offshore teams, requiring regular virtual meetings and clear written and verbal communication. The work setting emphasizes proactive problem-solving, effective coordination across global teams, and a supportive culture where engineers share knowledge and mentor one another.

This is a Contract position based out of Chillicothe, IL.

The pay range for this position is $70.00 - $70.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Chillicothe,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 5, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.