The global medical technology giant Smith+Nephew is hiring R&D Software Test Engineers for its Sports Medicine division in Coimbra, Portugal. If you have experience in Software Testing, Test Automation, Medical Devices, Embedded Systems, MATLAB, Python, C++, or LabVIEW, this could be an excellent opportunity to work on innovative healthcare technologies that improve millions of lives worldwide.
This is a hybrid role requiring at least 3 days per week in the Coimbra office, offering a competitive annual salary of €29,500–€44,000, performance bonuses, private healthcare, flexible vacation, and long-term career growth.
Whether you’re an experienced QA Engineer, Software Test Engineer, Automation Engineer, or Embedded Systems Tester, this role provides the opportunity to contribute to life-changing medical devices while working with world-class engineering teams.
📌 Job Overview
- 🏢 Company: Smith+Nephew
- 💼 Position: Test Engineer (R&D Software Test Engineer)
- 📍 Location: Coimbra, Portugal
- 🏠 Work Mode: Hybrid (Minimum 3 days from office)
- 💼 Job Type: Full-Time
- 🆔 Job ID: R91336
- 💰 Salary: €29,500 – €44,000 per year
- 👨💻 Experience: Experienced Professionals
- 🌍 Industry: Medical Devices / Healthcare Technology
🏥 About Smith+Nephew
Smith+Nephew is one of the world’s leading medical technology companies with more than 165 years of innovation in healthcare.
The company develops advanced technologies that help healthcare professionals improve patient outcomes in areas such as:
- 🦴 Orthopaedics
- ❤️ Sports Medicine
- 🩹 Advanced Wound Management
- 🤖 Robotic-Assisted Surgery
- 🔬 Medical Devices
- 💊 Surgical Technologies
Operating in over 100 countries, Smith+Nephew continuously invests in research, digital healthcare, AI-powered medical solutions, and next-generation surgical technologies.
Working here means contributing directly to technologies that improve the quality of life for millions of patients globally.
⭐ Why This Role is Great for Experienced Professionals
This opportunity is ideal for QA Engineers and Software Test Engineers looking to transition into the Medical Device Industry, one of the fastest-growing and most rewarding technology sectors.
Major Advantages
- ✅ Competitive European salary
- ✅ Work on FDA-approved medical technologies
- ✅ Exposure to embedded software testing
- ✅ Hybrid working model
- ✅ International engineering environment
- ✅ Advanced automation and verification projects
- ✅ Medical device regulatory exposure
- ✅ Opportunity to work with global R&D teams
- ✅ Excellent work-life balance
- ✅ Strong career progression
Unlike traditional software testing roles, this position combines hardware testing, embedded software validation, automation, systems engineering, and regulatory compliance, making it highly valuable for long-term career growth.
💼 Key Responsibilities
As an R&D Software Test Engineer, you will:
- 🧪 Plan and execute software verification activities
- 🤖 Build and maintain automated testing platforms
- 🖥️ Perform system-level testing for medical devices
- 📝 Develop verification plans and test documentation
- 🐞 Identify, report, and validate software defects using JIRA
- 🔍 Perform root cause analysis of software issues
- ⚙️ Collaborate with Systems Engineers and R&D teams
- 📊 Execute traceability between requirements and test cases
- 📈 Improve testing strategies and automation coverage
- 🧬 Support FDA regulatory documentation
- 🛡️ Participate in software risk analysis and FMEA
- 📚 Validate third-party software and development tools
🛠 Skills Required
The ideal candidate should have experience with:
Technical Skills
- ✅ Manual Testing
- ✅ Test Automation
- ✅ Python
- ✅ C++
- ✅ C#
- ✅ Java
- ✅ MATLAB
- ✅ Simulink
- ✅ LabVIEW
- ✅ Embedded Software Testing
- ✅ Hardware Testing
- ✅ System Verification
- ✅ JIRA
- ✅ Software Validation
- ✅ Test Planning
- ✅ Defect Management
- ✅ Root Cause Analysis
Domain Knowledge
- Medical Devices
- FDA Documentation
- ISO 14971
- IEC 62304
- IEC 80002-1
- Risk Analysis
- Verification & Validation (V&V)
Soft Skills
- Excellent communication
- Problem-solving mindset
- Strong analytical thinking
- Documentation skills
- Team collaboration
- Self-motivation
💰 Expected Salary Range
Smith+Nephew has officially mentioned the salary range.
| Experience | Expected Salary |
|---|---|
| Mid-Level Test Engineer | €29,500 – €35,000/year |
| Experienced Test Engineer | €35,000 – €40,000/year |
| Highly Experienced Candidate | €40,000 – €44,000/year |
Additional Benefits
- 🎯 Annual Performance Bonus
- 💰 Pension Scheme
- 🏥 Private Health Insurance
- 🦷 Dental Insurance
- ❤️ Life Insurance
- 🌴 Flexible Vacation
- 🎁 Employee Share Options
- 🌍 Paid Volunteering Days
- 📚 Learning & Development Programs
🎯 Expected Interview Rounds
Although interview processes may vary, candidates can generally expect the following rounds:
Round 1 – HR Screening
- Resume discussion
- Career goals
- Communication skills
- Salary expectations
Round 2 – Technical Interview
Topics may include:
- Manual Testing
- Automation Frameworks
- Test Strategy
- Python/C++/Java basics
- Embedded Systems
- Debugging
- Defect Lifecycle
- JIRA
- API concepts
Round 3 – Practical Discussion
- Test case design
- Automation approach
- Bug investigation
- Verification strategy
- Risk analysis
Round 4 – Hiring Manager Interview
- Project experience
- Collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Team fit
Round 5 – HR Discussion
- Compensation
- Benefits
- Joining timeline
📚 Preparation Tips
To maximize your chances of selection:
- ✅ Revise Manual Testing fundamentals
- ✅ Practice Python programming
- ✅ Review C++ basics
- ✅ Learn MATLAB and Simulink basics
- ✅ Understand Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
- ✅ Revise Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC)
- ✅ Practice writing detailed test cases
- ✅ Understand embedded systems architecture
- ✅ Learn medical device testing concepts
- ✅ Review ISO 14971 and IEC 62304 fundamentals
- ✅ Prepare JIRA workflow questions
- ✅ Practice debugging scenarios
- ✅ Revise defect lifecycle concepts
- ✅ Be ready to discuss your previous automation projects
📄 Resume Tips
A strong resume can significantly improve your chances of getting shortlisted.
Include:
- ✔ Professional Summary
- ✔ Software Testing Experience
- ✔ Automation Framework Experience
- ✔ Programming Languages
- ✔ Medical Device experience (if any)
- ✔ Python/C++ projects
- ✔ MATLAB experience
- ✔ Embedded Testing exposure
- ✔ Automation achievements
- ✔ Bug reduction metrics
- ✔ CI/CD knowledge
- ✔ JIRA experience
- ✔ Certifications (ISTQB, Automation, Medical Devices)
ATS Keywords
- Software Test Engineer
- Test Automation
- Python
- MATLAB
- LabVIEW
- Embedded Testing
- Verification
- Validation
- Medical Devices
- FDA
- ISO 14971
- IEC 62304
- JIRA
- C++
- Root Cause Analysis
🌍 Career Growth Opportunities
Joining Smith+Nephew opens pathways into high-demand roles such as:
- Senior Software Test Engineer
- Verification Engineer
- Automation Lead
- Systems Engineer
- Validation Engineer
- Embedded QA Specialist
- Medical Device QA Lead
- Software Quality Manager
- R&D Engineering Manager
The experience gained in regulated healthcare technology is highly valued across the global medical technology industry.
📩 How to Apply?
👉 Application Link: Click Here
Before applying:
- ✅ Update your resume with relevant testing and automation experience.
- ✅ Highlight programming skills (Python, C++, Java, MATLAB, etc.).
- ✅ Showcase experience in embedded systems, automation, or medical devices if applicable.
- ✅ Prepare documentation related to your projects and certifications.
Search for Job ID: R91336 on the official Smith+Nephew Careers website and submit your application through the online portal.
