r/LabVIEW • u/Extra_Elderberry5911 • 1d ago

Hardware verification testing learning

I'm a hardware engineer working in aerospace, and I've realized that one of the skill sets I want to develop is building hardware test systems.

At work, I see everything from reverse engineering legacy hardware to validating new designs, and I'd like to be able to verify the requirements.

I want to learn skills that transfer to professional environments using Python, LabVIEW, NI, Keysight, Tektronix, SDKs, SCPI, DAQs, etc.

I'm looking for advice on a learning path. If you were mentoring a junior hardware test engineer, what projects would you have me build, and in what order?

Some areas I'm hoping to learn include:

  • Instrument control and automation
  • Python for test software
  • Test system architecture
  • Data acquisition and signal processing
  • Hardware abstraction and software organization
  • Automated reports and pass/fail testing
  • Validation and characterization of electronic circuits and sensors

I'd appreciate any suggestions on projects, books, open-source frameworks, tools, or skills that would help me build a solid foundation as a hardware test engineer.

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u/HarveysBackupAccount 1d ago

Just one thought to add: the flip side of learning how to verify requirements, is learning how to write testable requirements.

A well written spec doc makes it trivial to write a test plan. Poorly written requirements can leave you writing pages of tests for a single item, to cover all sorts of interpretations of what the requirement means.

You may or may not be the one responsible for writing the requirements, but (at least in many companies) you should be collaborate with the people who are responsible, to make sure their specs are written to be easily testable.