Sr. Validation & Tools Engineer - Embedded Firmware

ALSO • Palo Alto, CA

9d • $160,000 - $190,000

About The Position

As a Sr. Validation & Tools Engineer focusing on Embedded Firmware & Software validation you’ll ensure quality across the entire ecosystem of our flagship and next-generation products. This role is responsible for hands-on testing of firmware & software including the automation for these functions, hardware integration, and end-to-end system validation. You will work in close partnership with multiple cross-functional teams and contribute to HIL infrastructure build out, and test automation in a fast-paced early-phase engineering startup environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in software quality assurance and embedded systems testing preferably high-complexity, vertically integrated consumer products.
• Deep technical domain expertise in Automotive, Software defined vehicles, MCU/ECU architecture, Power & Fault Management, including Safety & Security functions.
• Experience working with Connectivity, location services & Mobile platforms across wireless technologies such as Cellular, Wifi or Bluetooth.
• Strong understanding and experience working extensively with embedded hardware, bootloader, firmware, debug access utilities using serial interface interfaces such as JTAG, etc.
• Experience working with Test management systems, Requirements management and bug tracking tools for Release execution reporting and traceability of validation scope.
• Strong programming and scripting skills in C/C++ and Python, with experience designing robust automated test pipelines.
• Advanced knowledge of CI/CD automation tools and workflows (Jenkins, GitLab CI, or similar) and use of SIL/HIL environments for validation.
• In-depth familiarity with UDS, XCP, and other embedded communication protocols.
• Expertise in hardware/software communication protocols and physical layers (I2C, SPI, CAN, CAN-FD, USB-PD, etc.).

Nice To Haves

• Automation experience with tools such as Python based Robotframework or Pytest, Selenium, Appium, Espresso would be a plus.
• Experience working with Automotive sniffer tools such as CANoe, CANalyzer, etc. is a plus.
• Passion for mentoring, developing and building a quality-first culture in a fast-moving startup environment.

Responsibilities

• Define and own writing of comprehensive test strategies, test plans and test cases for the verification and validation scope of firmware & software Release cycles.
• Drive & contribute to the design, setup, and continuous improvement of SIL (Software-in-the-Loop) and HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) environments for robust system-level testing.
• Own and manage the firmware and software release validation, from pre-release verification to post-release validation and metrics tracking, including both manual & automated testing.
• Drive root cause analysis of complex system bugs & issues and follow up on corrective actions across firmware, hardware, and software domains.
• Collaborate deeply with hardware, firmware, system engineering & product teams to ensure testability and quality are built into product requirements and architecture.

Benefits

• Robust health coverage. Excellent health, dental and vision insurance covered up to 100% by ALSO with FSA & HSA options.
• One Medical membership and dedicated insurance advocates.
• Rich fertility and family building benefits with Progyny.
• Flexible time off.
• 401(k) match.

What This Job Offers

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