Principal Engineer R&D System Test (m/f/d)

Join HIMA Group - Innovate with purpose. Grow with technology.

HIMA Group is a globally independent provider of safety-related automation solutions for the process and rail industries, protecting people, assets, and the environment. Founded in 1908, the family-owned company is headquartered in Brühl near Mannheim, Germany, and has grown steadily through strategic acquisitions, including Sella Controls (UK) in 2023 and Origo Solutions (Norway) in 2024. Today, HIMA employs approximately 1,150 professionals across 22 group companies worldwide.

Our international teams bring together expertise from all corners of the world, working with a shared focus on developing reliable and sustainable solutions. At HIMA, employees are encouraged to take initiative, contribute their knowledge, and collaborate across borders to deliver projects with real impact.

Working at HIMA offers varied and responsible tasks, where your work has tangible influence. At the same time, you can continuously develop your skills and contribute to advancing safety technology. With a corporate culture built on collaboration, accountability, and sustainable innovation, we provide a professional environment where experts can thrive and make meaningful contributions.

Become part of a global success story and help shape the future of digital safety.

Overview Position

The Principal Engineer, System Test is a senior technical expert responsible for defining, implementing, and continuously improving system and integration testing for safety-critical industrial automation products. The role focuses on ensuring product quality, reliability, and compliance through comprehensive test strategies, automated testing solutions, and rigorous validation processes.

Key responsibilities include requirements-based test development, planning and executing system and integration tests, maintaining test environments, developing automated test frameworks, and ensuring full traceability from requirements through test execution and results. The position also drives continuous improvement of testing methodologies, supports root-cause analysis, and collaborates closely with cross-functional development teams to integrate quality throughout the product lifecycle.

The ideal candidate has a degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field, along with extensive experience in software and system testing, test automation, and industrial automation systems. Strong knowledge of functional safety standards (IEC 61508), cybersecurity standards (IEC 62443), safety PLCs, industrial communication protocols, and modern test management tools is essential. Experience with Python, Robot Framework, CI/CD environments, and hardware-software integration testing is highly desirable.

This role offers the opportunity to shape testing strategies, influence product quality across multiple development teams, and serve as a technical leader in the development of innovative and safety-critical automation solutions.

Responsibilities

• Requirements and test management: Reviewing requirements and developing corresponding test cases.
• Planning, designing, documenting and implementing software and system tests.
• Coordinating and carrying out system and integration tests.
• Developing and maintaining test environments and the associated test infrastructure.
• Contributing to the development of new functions and creating the associated test models.
• Automating tests, including the development of automated test scripts and tools.
• Evaluation and selection of suitable tools and technologies for testing Safety PLCs.
• Supporting the continuous improvement of test strategies, test methods and processes.
• Ensuring and implementing quality requirements in accordance with internal and external standards.
• Ensuring the traceability of requirements through to test cases and test results.
• Reviewing and evaluating test results, including reporting and documentation.
• Carrying out qualitative fault analyses and assisting with root-cause analyses.
• Working closely with the development teams to seamlessly integrate testing into the development process.

Requirements

• A degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or a comparable qualification.
• In-depth experience in software design, testing methods and programming skills, ideally in Python and/or Robot Framework.
• In-depth knowledge and proven practical experience in applying relevant functional safety standards (e.g. IEC 61508) and security standards (e.g. IEC 62443-4-X) is required.
• Experience in working with safety PLCs and knowledge of industrial communication protocols such as Profinet, Ethernet/IP, Modbus, etc.
• A strong focus on quality and a systematic, analytical approach.
• Experience in working with test management tools and version control systems (e.g. Polarion, SVN, Git, or similar tools).
• Knowledge of test automation, including the development of test scripts for Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) environments.
• Experience in carrying out system and integration tests, ideally in the field of safety or embedded systems.
• Understanding of hardware-level testing and interfaces between software and hardware.
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams and to communicate technical content clearly and precisely.
• A structured and independent approach to work, with a focus on meeting deadlines and achieving objectives.
• Good written and spoken German and English.

Our Benefits

• Purpose-driven work: Contribute to sustainable solutions in safety-related automation that protect people, assets, and the environment.

• Global collaboration and diversity: Work in diverse, internationally aligned teams that act as “One Team, One Goal” to deliver results worldwide.

• Knowledge-driven culture: Share ideas, think entrepreneurially, and contribute to innovative solutions with tangible impact.

• International work environment: Work with colleagues worldwide, participate in global projects, and collaborate across teams and countries.

• Development opportunities: Long-term career opportunities within an expanding international organization.

• Community and culture: Team events, open communication, flat hierarchies, collaborative teamwork, and a culture of diversity and inclusion.

Disclaimer

HIMA Group offers flexible working hours and the option to work remotely. For certain positions, employees can choose between different part-time models. Job sharing is also possible.

Diversity, equality, and inclusion are an integral part of our corporate culture. We welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of gender, age, disability, religion, ethnic origin, or sexual identity.

Please ensure that you have a valid work permit for the respective location.

No cover letter is required. You only need to create an account, which allows you to apply to this and future positions. This way, you can manage all your applications in one place and receive automatic notifications about new suitable positions.