Test Engineer, WiFi Test Lead

About the job

At Google, our philosophy is build it, break it and then rebuild it better. That thinking is at the core of how we approach testing at Google. Unlike roles with similar names at the other companies, Test Engineers at Google aren't manual testers -- you write scripts to automate testing and create tools so developers can test their own code. As a Test Engineer, you navigate Google's massive codebase, identify weak spots and constantly design better and creative ways to break software and identify potential problems. You'll have a huge impact on the quality of Google's growing suite of products and services.

As a part of the team, you will play a key role in delivering Pixel phones with exceptional Software/Hardware integrated quality. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams in multiple sites internationally, with a scope of End-to-End power and thermal testing. You will strive for quality and effective end-to-end automation testing as the team's scope is system testing across Pixel platforms with focus on power performance, power up and down the stack from apps, Android OS, multiple SW and subsystems features, modem and other connectivity modules that power the hardware.

The Google Pixel team focuses on designing and delivering the world's most helpful mobile experience. The team works on shaping the future of Pixel devices and services through some of the most advanced designs, techniques, products, and experiences in consumer electronics. This includes bringing together the best of Google’s artificial intelligence, software, and hardware to build global smartphones and create transformative experiences for users across the world.

Responsibilities

• Plan, build, and execute end-to-end functional test cases covering IEEE 802.11 MAC/PHY protocol features, association/authentication state machines, WPA2/WPA3 security protocols, and 802.11k/v/r fast roaming.
• Perform rigorous throughput, latency, rate-vs-range, rate-vs-orientation, coexistence/interoperability testing in both conductive and Over-The-Air RF environments, and design, build, and maintain automated test suites and frameworks using Python, integration with CI/CD pipelines, and automated test bed orchestration.
• Utilize packet capture tools (Wireshark, Omnipeek) and RF protocol analyzers to debug frame-level issues, channel access bottlenecks, beamforming behavior, and connection drops.
• Maintain and calibrate state-of-the-art wireless test setups, including RF attenuation chambers, shielded enclosures, programmable attenuators, channel emulators, and traffic generation tools (e.g., IxChariot, Spirent, OctoScope, Iperf).
• Partner with firmware, software, hardware teams to isolate root causes, track defects, provide actionable debug logs, and verify bug fixes.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5 years of experience in Wi-Fi functional and performance testing.

• Experience with IEEE 802.11 standards (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be) and protocols, including MAC/PHY interaction, frame structures, MIMO/MU-MIMO, OFDMA, channel bonding, and mesh networking architectures.

Preferred qualifications:

• 2 years of experience providing technical leadership and leading projects (e.g., test, release, etc.).
• 1 year of experience working with executive leaders.
• Experience with analytical and debugging skills with the ability to summarize complex technical findings clearly for engineering leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Experience with packet sniffers (Wireshark, Omnipeek, Sanjole), wireless traffic generators (IxChariot, Spirent, OctoScope), and RF test equipment (spectrum analyzers, power meters).
• Understanding of TCP/IP, UDP, DHCP, DNS, VLANs, IPv4/IPv6, and routing/switching concepts.