Lead Platform Software V&V Engineer

Ford • Palo Alto, CA

21h • $150,200 - $283,500 • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a Lead Platform Software V&V Engineer that architecturally drives and executes the safety, performance, and deterministic reliability strategies for next-generation automotive electronic control units (ECUs). In this role, you will lead hands-on post-silicon bench testing on microcontrollers, validating Real-Time Drivers (RTD), the System Timer Module (STM), integrated automotive Ethernet chipsets, and bootloaders. You will own the end-to-end definition and execution of test methodologies designed to comply with ISO 26262 ASIL functional safety requirements while optimizing real-time network stack throughput. You will architect automated test frameworks primarily controlled via Python frameworks, with flexibility to develop target-side test code in C, C++, or Rust. You will provide unified technical leadership across regional sites, and directly mentor both local and offshore engineers. Your expertise in embedded systems and automotive industry knowledge will help ensure the quality and reliability of our software solutions.

Requirements

• B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM field.
• Hands-on experience debugging and validating microcontrollers (ie. ESP32, ARM Cortex-M, etc.).
• Deep understanding of automotive networking protocols, including Automotive Ethernet (100BASE-T1/1000BASE-T1), CAN FD, LIN, and Unified Diagnostic Services (UDS / ISO 14229) for flashing configurations.
• Proven familiarity with Realtek Ethernet transceivers/switches and configuring low-level peripheral timers like the STM.
• Comprehensive understanding of ISO 26262 processes, hardware-software interface definitions (HSI), and safety-critical testing techniques.
• Strong programming fluency in Python for building bench automation frameworks, alongside C for low-level embedded software inspection.

Nice To Haves

• Experience using dedicated automotive hardware interfaces and packet injection tools such as Intrepid Control Systems RAD-Gigastar, Vector VN5610A/VN5640, or other media converters.
• Familiarity with enterprise Layer 2/3 traffic emulation suites such as Keysight IxNetwork or Spirent TestCenter to validate switch latency and throughput boundaries.
• Hands-on knowledge of network script automation using open-source packet manipulation libraries like Scapy via Python.
• Advanced proficiency in automated debugging and memory trace extraction utilizing a Lauterbach Trace32 debugger or other vendor-specific debuggers.
• Experience using bench automation and instrumentation platforms such as dSPACE (ControlDesk/ConfigurationDesk) or Vector VT System for modular I/O and fault-injection testing.
• Proficiency configuring low-level registers, clocks, and peripheral drivers via vendor-specific configuration tools.
• Experience with target-based software testing and code coverage frameworks like QA Systems Cantata or Parasoft C/C++test to enforce structural safety standards.
• Familiarity with static analysis and MISRA C/C++ compliance checkers such as QA-MISRA, Helix QAC, or Synopsys Coverity.

Responsibilities

• Define the validation & verification roadmap, test strategies, and architectural design for physical post-silicon bench testing and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) environments.
• Mentor and guide offshore engineers and distributed validation teams across different regional US offices, establishing unified best practices for code quality, safety-critical testing, and test engineering excellence.
• Coordinate cross-site execution to ensure continuous testing alignment, smooth handoffs, and consistent test artifact generation between global engineering groups.
• Interface directly with cross-functional teams (Systems, Silicon, Firmware, Safety) to align verification plans with hardware-software interface definitions (HSI).
• Execute bench-level validation on physical silicon evaluation boards and custom automotive ECUs.
• Configure and validate hardware peripherals, specifically focusing on the System Timer Module (STM), memory protection units, and interrupt controllers.
• Integrate and verify PHY/switch drivers, validating high-speed automotive Ethernet transceiver performance under varied environmental conditions.
• Architect and execute test strategies for primary/secondary bootloaders, validating secure boot sequences (cryptographic signature verification), flashing routines via UDS (ISO 14229) over CAN/Ethernet, and dual-bank OTA roll-back mechanisms on microcontrollers.
• Validate Real-Time Drivers (RTD) for bare-metal and AUTOSAR runtime environments.
• Benchmark network stack throughput and latency using network testing utilities like iperf, CANoe, and hardware packet generators.
• Analyze complex communication layers including TCP/IP, SOME/IP, and DoIP over automotive Ethernet interfaces.
• Design, implement, and maintain automated regression test frameworks controlled via Python scripts.
• Develop target-side test applications in C, C++, or Rust when bare-metal deterministic execution or strict memory safety verification is required.
• Author V&V test specifications mapped directly to safety goals to ensure compliance across various safety levels (ASIL B to ASIL D) in alignment with ISO 26262 Part 6.
• Utilize advanced lab instrumentation (digital oscilloscopes, logic analyzers) and debuggers to capture signals and isolate physical-layer anomalies.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

What This Job Offers

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