Manual QA Engineer — IoT / Mandarin Chinese 8440
Summary
Senior/Lead Software Engineer acting as a technical bridge for distributed teams, focusing on embedded/firmware development (C/C++) and requiring fluent Mandarin to collaborate with a China-based team.
Join Akvelon — build products used by millions!
Akvelon is an IT company with 20+ years of experience and 1,200+ engineers across 15+ locations worldwide.
We work with both well-known global tech companies, including Microsoft, Facebook, Airbnb, Dropbox, and Pinterest, and with growing startups.
The projects cover a variety of engineering areas, ranging from cloud solutions and AI/ML systems to big data, web, and mobile applications.
Collaboration typically takes place in a remote, distributed environment across different locations and time zones. We value ownership, clear communication, and accountability for agreed deliverables throughout each project.
About the role
We are looking for a Manual QA Engineer with fluent or native Mandarin Chinese to work on an IoT ecosystem combining embedded devices and firmware, backend services, web and mobile applications, and smart-home/building automation systems.
The role focuses on end-to-end manual testing and troubleshooting across hardware, firmware, networking, protocols, backend, and user interfaces.
An important part of the role is communication with Mandarin-speaking engineering teams. You will help clarify technical requirements, reproduce and communicate issues, and ensure that expected behavior and acceptance criteria are clearly understood across teams.
Requirements
- Strong experience in Manual QA for complex software or hardware systems
- Hands-on experience testing IoT, embedded, smart-home, or building-automation solutions
- Fluent or native Mandarin Chinese and professional English
- Hands-on experience with MQTT / MQTTX
- Knowledge of Modbus and RS485
- Experience testing physical hardware and embedded firmware
- Experience with REST APIs and backend integration testing
- Basic understanding of TCP/IP, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, DHCP, DNS, and network connectivity
- Strong troubleshooting and communication skills
- Experience with OTA / firmware upgrade testing
- Familiarity with Linux, Wireshark, or serial diagnostic tools
- Knowledge of ProtoBuf
- Experience with IoT/API test automation
- Experience working with distributed international engineering teams
Responsibilities
- Perform manual testing of IoT devices, firmware, APIs, and web/mobile applications
- Test device configuration, firmware updates, integrations, and communication between system components
- Troubleshoot issues using logs, diagnostic tools, and physical test devices
- Test and debug MQTT, Modbus/RS485, REST APIs, and network connectivity
- Reproduce and document defects with clear steps, expected/actual results, and supporting evidence
- Collaborate with developers and firmware engineers on cross-component issues
- Help clarify technical requirements and communicate issues between Mandarin- and English-speaking teams
- PST business hours, onsite work
- Locations: Kirkland, WA or Bellevue, WA, United States
Base compensation
Budget: $40-$55 / hour
Paid vacation and sick leave