Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Software/Firmware Engineer

Waabi•San Francisco, PA

About The Position

Waabi is a leader in Physical AI, developing technology for autonomous transportation, including commercial autonomous trucks and robotaxis. The company is seeking a Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Software/Firmware Engineer to develop the software and firmware that powers Waabi's HIL benches. This role involves building simulation and stimulation interfaces, implementing automated test frameworks, integrating HIL testing into CI pipelines, and developing instrumentation for data acquisition. The engineer will also work hands-on at the bench, debugging hardware/software interactions and supporting other engineering teams. Analysis and documentation of test data are also key responsibilities. Waabi is a growing company backed by leaders in AI, automotive, logistics, and deep tech, with offices in Toronto, San Francisco, Dallas, and Pittsburgh.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent industry experience.
4+ years of experience developing software for HIL, embedded test automation, or real-time test systems.
Strong programming skills in Python; working proficiency in C/C++/Rust for embedded or real-time contexts.
Hands-on experience with automotive communication interfaces — CAN, automotive Ethernet — including message injection, logging, and debugging (e.g., CANalyzer, python-can, SocketCAN).
Experience building test automation frameworks and integrating hardware tests into CI pipelines.
Comfortable working with lab equipment (oscilloscopes, DAQs, power supplies, E-loads) and debugging at the hardware/software boundary.
Strong Linux proficiency for command-line workflows, system utilities, and bench infrastructure.
Excellent technical writing skills for effective communication and documentation.
Passionate about self-driving technologies, solving hard problems, and creating innovative solutions.

Nice To Haves

Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) and real-time Linux.
Experience with plant modeling and vehicle dynamics simulation (MATLAB/Simulink, dSPACE ASM, CarSim, or custom).
Familiarity with functional safety standards (ISO 26262) and safety MCU architectures.
Experience with GUI or dashboard development for test operators (PyQt, web-based tooling).
Firmware development experience on automotive microcontrollers.

Responsibilities

Develop the software and firmware that powers Waabi's HIL benches — test runners, simulation/stimulation interfaces, fault-injection tooling, and bench control software.
Build simulation interfaces that feed synthetic vehicle dynamics (pose, speed, sensor data) to embedded modules under test, and stimulation tooling that injects CAN/Ethernet messages to trigger logical state changes.
Implement automated test frameworks and scripts to run requirement-based tests (timing, fault handling, mode transitions, disengagements) on real hardware.
Integrate HIL test execution into CI so firmware and software releases are automatically validated on benches before reaching the vehicle, including test-modality tracking and result reporting.
Develop instrumentation and data acquisition software for hardware timestamping, analog measurement triggers, and endurance-run analysis.
Work hands-on at the bench: bring up new bench configurations, debug hardware/software interactions, and support engineers across Embedded, Autonomy, and V&V running tests on HIL.
Analyze and document test data for hardware, autonomy, and systems engineering teams.

Benefits

Competitive compensation and equity awards.
Health and wellness benefits encompassing Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
Paid parental, medical and family care leave.
Generous PTO Policy.
Retirement savings plans including 401(k) or RRSP options.
Health savings account contribution options.
Daily drinks, snacks, and catered meals (when in office).
Regularly scheduled team building activities and social events both on-site, off-site & virtually.
Additional benefits are offered and tailored to specific country locations.

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