Product Quality Engineer

Reports To: Director of Technology
Work Location: This is an in-office role (Eden Prairie, MN) four days per week.
Position Summary:
The Product Quality Engineer plays a key role in ensuring the quality, accuracy, and reliability of physics-based machining simulation software used in complex engineering and manufacturing applications. This position combines hands-on software testing, engineering analysis, defect investigation, and test automation to influence product quality throughout the software development lifecycle.
Working closely with Product Owners, software developers, and DevOps engineers, this role contributes to feature scoping, verification strategy, test automation, and test-platform development. The Product Quality Engineer helps establish and promote consistent testing standards, tools, and practices across the development team while remaining actively involved in hands-on verification work. The successful candidate will independently manage most assignments, influence team quality practices, and provide technical guidance in established areas of expertise.
Requirements
Major Job Accountabilities:
Work as part of a cross-functional software development team to create, maintain, and execute test scenarios for new features, enhancements, defect corrections, and regression testing
Verify physics-based machining simulation software through structured testing and engineering analysis
Establish, document, and champion consistent testing standards, procedures, and best practices across the product quality and software development teams, drawing from industry practices and lessons learned
Translate product requirements into testable criteria and identify the inputs, environments, and acceptance criteria required for effective verification
Define and recommend technical approaches for verifying software features and defect corrections
Develop test coverage with an understanding of customer workflows, edge cases, failure conditions, use cases, and realistic parameter ranges
Analyze simulation outputs to determine whether software behavior is accurate, consistent, and aligned with product requirements
Work with Product Owners and engineering stakeholders to evaluate bug reports for completeness, reproducibility, technical impact, and customer relevance
Reproduce reported issues and document clear steps, test conditions, expected behavior, actual behavior, and supporting evidence
Verify defect corrections and determine the appropriate level of regression testing
Identify opportunities to automate repetitive, error-prone, or high-value testing activities
Develop and maintain automated tests, scripts, test batteries, and supporting utilities with a focus on continuous improvement
Collaborate with DevOps engineers and software developers on test infrastructure, test environments, automated workflows, and test-platform design
Maintain test documentation, reusable test data, scripts, and other verification assets
Participate in product development activities, including feature scoping, requirements review, technical planning, and release validation
Identify recurring quality risks and recommend improvements to testing, development, and release processes
Clearly communicate test results, technical findings, product risks, and recommendations to technical and nontechnical stakeholders
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Required:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related technical field
3+ years experience in software testing, software quality, engineering verification, or a related discipline
Experience creating or executing structured test plans and documenting results
Programming or scripting experience using a language such as Python, C++, Java, JavaScript, C#, or an equivalent language
Experience with an automated UI testing framework such as Squish, Qt Test, Selenium, or an equivalent tool
Experience investigating technical issues and documenting clear reproduction steps
Ability to independently manage assigned work with limited direct supervision
Preferred:
Experience testing engineering, scientific, numerical, or physics-based simulation software
Familiarity with CAD/CAM software and engineering workflows
Knowledge of CNC machining, manufacturing processes, or cutting tools
Experience developing automated tests or test frameworks
Experience with source control, issue-tracking systems, automated test pipelines, or software release processes
Familiarity with Agile or Scrum software development practices
Experience with quality methods such as root-cause analysis, the 5 Whys, or design of experiments
Benefits
The salary range is $85,000-$105,000.
Third Wave Systems offers a comprehensive employee benefits program for full-time employees.
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
HSA
401 (k) + Employer Match
Paid time off
Holiday pay

Work arrangement
No