Lead Software Test Engineer, Safety Critical Embedded Systems

Forterra • Clarksburg, MD

1d • Remote

About The Position

Forterra is seeking a Lead Software Test Engineer to establish and run verification and validation for safety-critical embedded software used on autonomous ground vehicles. The role begins as an individual contributor and is responsible for setting the software test approach, building automation and test environments, executing testing, and maintaining evidence for customer and safety reviews. The engineer will work closely with software, systems, and safety engineers to identify problems early and verify that software behaves correctly under failure conditions. As the capability grows, the role may develop into a technical lead for a small test team.

The position calls for someone who can build a practical software test capability from the ground up and work directly with code, test environments, and evidence. The successful candidate will collaborate across software, systems, and safety engineering, focusing on uncovering meaningful failures and improving product dependability. The role may require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Five or more years of experience testing embedded systems or safety-critical software.
• Strong working knowledge of C or C++ and Python for test automation.
• Experience with requirements management and requirements traceability tools such as Jama or DOORS.
• Familiarity with MISRA C or MISRA C++, static analysis, and structural coverage methods such as branch coverage and MC/DC.
• Experience testing software on an RTOS such as QNX, including work with embedded targets, debuggers, and instrumentation.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to distinguish hardware, software, and firmware problems in a complex system.
• A practical, organized approach to managing several priorities and producing clear technical documentation.
• Ability to work remotely with up to 25% travel.

Nice To Haves

• Experience applying safety-critical development and assurance standards such as ISO 26262, IEC 61508, DO-178C, MIL-STD-882E, JSSSEH, or JS-SSA-IG.
• Experience with QNX, Linux, NXP S32G, or similar embedded platforms.
• Experience with CAN, CAN-FD, Ethernet, UDS, J1939, or other vehicle networks and diagnostic protocols.
• Understanding of robotics domains such as motion control, planning, perception, fault management, and vehicle interfaces.
• Experience integrating electromechanical systems in automotive, aerospace, medical, industrial, defense, or similar environments.
• Experience providing technical leadership through design reviews, mentoring, or improvements to shared test and development practices.

Responsibilities

• Set the verification and validation approach for safety-critical embedded software from kickoff through qualification, including test plans, procedures, results, and reports.
• Translate system, software, and safety-related requirements into practical tests with objective pass-or-fail criteria.
• Maintain traceability among requirements, tests, results, and anomalies.
• Build and maintain automated test frameworks for embedded software, including software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop environments.
• Test failure behavior using fault injection, timing and jitter tests, communications failures, memory faults, power and clock faults, negative tests, boundary tests, and stress tests.
• Use static analysis, dynamic analysis, and coverage results to identify gaps and help close them.
• Prepare and maintain test evidence, including plans, procedures, results, V&V matrices, compliance matrices, anomaly records, tool qualification records, and contributions to the safety case.
• Work with software, systems, and safety engineers to review designs for testability, improve requirements, and support technical reviews and assessments.
• Provide technical guidance through test plan reviews, design reviews, pairing, and mentoring.
• Help establish practices and infrastructure to grow a small software test capability.

Benefits

• Equity is included in most full-time, high-demand roles.
• Three premium healthcare plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of premiums for the employee and dependents.
• Basic Life/AD&D and short- and long-term disability insurance plans fully covered by Forterra, with the option to purchase additional life insurance for the employee and dependents.
• Company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• 20 days of paid time off accrued per year.
• At least 7 weeks of fully paid parental leave for birth or adoption.
• $9,000 annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral options, plus company match up to 4%.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior