Software Quality Assurance Manager – IEEE 802.15.4 / Zigbee / OpenThread

Job Title

Software Quality Assurance Manager – IEEE 802.15.4 / Zigbee / OpenThread

Role Summary

Lead and build a Software Quality Assurance (SQA) team in Hyderabad focused on IEEE 802.15.4-based connectivity, primarily Zigbee and Thread/OpenThread, and validate end-to-end ecosystems including Matter over Thread.

The manager will combine people leadership with technical depth to define validation strategy, automation, interoperability testing, and release readiness for low-power mesh networking products used across smart home and IoT markets.

Experience Level

Senior-level. The role expects substantial experience (the posting specifies 12+ years overall experience and at least 2+ years managing a small engineering/SQA team).

Responsibilities

Manage and scale the Hyderabad SQA organization and own quality for IEEE 802.15.4-based products.

• Hire, onboard, mentor, and manage a high-performing QA team; handle resource planning and performance management.
• Define and execute validation strategy for Zigbee and Thread/OpenThread stacks, firmware, and system-level behavior.
• Ensure coverage for protocol functionality, network formation, security, interoperability, performance, reliability, and regression testing.
• Drive automation architecture, reduce manual-test backlog, and build reusable test frameworks and lab infrastructure.
• Lead interoperability and ecosystem validation with third-party devices and support certification readiness.
• Establish and report quality metrics (test effectiveness, defect trends, release risk) and communicate status to global stakeholders.
• Collaborate with firmware, protocol-stack development, product, and field teams to align priorities and drive release readiness.
• Champion continuous improvement in QA methodologies, tooling, and engineering productivity, including responsible use of AI-assisted tools.

Requirements

Must-have technical leadership, embedded validation experience, and hands-on protocol knowledge.

• Proven experience building and managing SQA or embedded validation teams, preferably in semiconductor or wireless connectivity domains.
• Hands-on experience testing, validating, debugging, or developing Zigbee or Thread/OpenThread solutions; strong depth in at least one and working knowledge of the other.
• Strong understanding of low-power mesh networking: network formation, addressing, routing, security, commissioning, interoperability, and long-duration operation.
• Experience validating embedded software/firmware on MCU/wireless SoC systems and performing system-level debugging across host, stack, radio, and application boundaries.
• Experience with interoperability testing, certification-oriented validation, or multi-vendor ecosystem testing.
• Practical experience with CI/CD, automated regression systems, test infrastructure, and test lab/device-farm design.
• Proficiency in Python for test automation and debugging; working knowledge of C/C++ and embedded debugging is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with Git and issue/project tracking tools such as Jira.
• Demonstrated ability to drive execution, prioritize across concurrent deliverables, and work flexibly with global teams across time zones.
• Experience requirement: approximately 12+ years in embedded software/wireless/networking and 2+ years managing an engineering/SQA team of ~5–8 people.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics/Communication Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline preferred; equivalent relevant education and experience will also be considered.

About the Company

Company: Silicon Labs

Headquarters: Austin, Texas, USA

Silicon Labs is a leading innovator in low-power wireless connectivity, creating embedded technology that connects devices to improve lives. With a focus on advanced edge connectivity applications, the company provides device makers with cutting-edge solutions and support. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Silicon Labs operates in over 16 countries, serving markets such as smart home, industrial IoT, and smart cities.