Principal Engineer Software Test Release

Cariad, Inc.•Mountain View, CA

14h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Principal Engineer, Software Test & Release is a senior individual contributor within the Hardware Platform Development team, responsible for building and operating software test capabilities that de-risk ECU/HPC bring-up, system integration, and production release readiness. This role blends hands-on software development (automation frameworks, tooling, CI integration) with deep embedded validation on real hardware, benches, HIL setups, and in-vehicle environments. Operating with high autonomy, the Principal Engineer, Software Test & Release drives test strategy, improves observability and diagnostics, and partners across hardware, systems, manufacturing, and suppliers to deliver robust, repeatable validation and high-confidence software releases.

Requirements

Strong systems-level debugging across HW/SW boundaries (boot chain, drivers, middleware, diagnostics, and vehicle networks).
Hands-on software development ability (Python and/or C/C++) to build test tools, harnesses, and automation for embedded platforms.
Ability to translate HW platform requirements and failure modes into efficient, repeatable test strategies and actionable defect reports.
Clear, structured communication with cross-functional teams (hardware, systems, manufacturing, suppliers, and brands) to drive issues to closure.
Ownership mindset with strong prioritization; drives predictable execution across EVT/DVT/PVT cycles and frequent software drops.
Expertise designing and maintaining test automation frameworks (e.g., pytest or equivalent) for embedded Linux/BSP-level software.
Deep experience validating software on real hardware: board bring-up support, flashing workflows, serial/JTAG debug, and lab-based triage.
Strong knowledge of automotive diagnostics and comms: CAN/CAN-FD, DoIP, Ethernet; UDS and basic SOME/IP concepts; tools such as CANoe/PCAN and Wireshark.
Experience with CI/CD integration for validation (e.g., Jenkins/GitLab), quality gates, regression management, and flaky-test reduction.
High proficiency in scripting and tooling (Python, Bash) plus disciplined source control and code review practices (Git).
Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline

Nice To Haves

Experience enabling production and manufacturing test flows (factory flashing, end-of-line verification, traceability, and yield/defect analytics).
Familiarity with Yocto-based build artifacts and image/OTA packaging, plus release qualification for multi-variant ECU programs.
Working knowledge of functional safety and cybersecurity impacts on testing (ISO 26262 concepts, secure boot/update considerations).
Experience with HIL/SIL environments and bench automation (power cycling, stimulus generation, log/trace capture at scale).
Experience using structured test management and reporting (e.g., TestRail/Xray) and building data-driven quality dashboards.
Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline

Responsibilities

Define platform-level validation strategy across ECU/HPC variants and vehicle programs, aligned to EVT/DVT/PVT milestones.
Establish release readiness criteria, quality gates, and escalation mechanisms that reduce defect escape and schedule risk.
Drive alignment on requirements-to-test traceability and evidence needed for stakeholder sign-off.
Own the evolution of automation frameworks and reusable test libraries for BSP/base software, drivers, and platform services.
Improve observability (logs, traces, metrics) and build scalable lab execution (power cycling, flashing, data capture).
Integrate validation into CI/CD with reliable regression, flake management, and actionable reporting.
Lead system integration test planning and execution across benches, HIL, and in-vehicle environments for hardware platforms.
Validate platform behaviors across vehicle networks and interfaces (CAN/CAN-FD, DoIP, Ethernet, USB/UART as applicable).
Drive root-cause analysis with cross-functional owners and ensure robust fixes validated through targeted regression.
Qualify release candidates and supplier drops; define regression scope, triage workflows, and acceptance thresholds.
Partner with build/release and configuration management on versioning, artifact integrity, signing, and reproducibility.
Provide clear go/no-go recommendations with risk framing and mitigation options.
Mentor engineers regarding test architecture, debugging, and quality-by-design practices across HW and SW teams.
Define and track quality metrics (coverage, pass rate, flakiness, defect escape) and drive targeted improvements.
Influence architecture decisions to improve testability, reliability, and long-term maintainability.