Embedded Firmware Validation Engineer

About the role

This position centers on constructing and operating Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test environments for both AUTOSAR Classic and Adaptive software stacks. The core mission is to guarantee software dependability by rigorously validating operating system scheduling mechanisms, memory protection units, and communication protocol implementations against stringent automotive safety standards. You will function as a critical quality gate, ensuring that the foundational vehicle operating system meets the reliability demands of production autonomous systems. The role demands a blend of deep embedded systems knowledge and modern software testing engineering practices. Success is measured by the robustness of the validation frameworks you build and the critical defects you uncover before deployment.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Design, author, and execute comprehensive validation strategies targeting AUTOSAR Classic and Adaptive platform software components.
• Perform deep verification of automotive communication stacks including CAN, CAN-FD, LIN, FlexRay, Automotive Ethernet, SOME/IP, DoIP, PDU Routing, and Network Management protocols.
• Validate the implementation of platform security modules, diagnostic services (UDS/OBD), and functional safety mechanisms (FUSA) against requirements.
• Plan and conduct advanced fault-injection campaigns, timing analysis, boundary condition stress testing, and robustness assessments to expose latent defects.
• Operate and maintain HIL test benches, Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) simulation environments, and physical target hardware for daily test execution.
• Develop, extend, and maintain scalable automated test frameworks leveraging Python and the pytest ecosystem for repeatable execution.
• Integrate automated test suites into Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines to provide rapid feedback on code changes.
• Diagnose complex hardware-software interaction failures using JTAG debuggers (e.g., TRACE32), instruction trace tools, and bus analyzers (e.g., CANoe, logic analyzers).
• Collaborate closely with functional safety engineers and firmware developers to triage, isolate, and drive resolution of identified defects through root cause analysis.
• Produce traceable test documentation, including test plans, cases, and reports, ensuring compliance with Automotive SPICE (ASPICE) Process Assessment Model standards.
• Manage defect lifecycles within Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) tools, ensuring clear reproduction steps, severity classification, and verification of fixes.
• Support the configuration and maintenance of test environment infrastructure, including target flashing, network topology setup, and simulation model integration.

Requirements

• Minimum three years of professional experience in firmware validation, embedded software testing, or Software Engineer in Test (SET) roles within the automotive or safety-critical embedded domain.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related technical field.
• Demonstrated practical expertise with AUTOSAR architecture (Classic Platform R4.x or Adaptive Platform) and associated methodology/testing workflows.
• Hands-on experience validating at least one major automotive communication protocol stack (CAN, Ethernet, FlexRay, LIN) at the signal or PDU level.
• Strong proficiency in Python for test automation scripting, data analysis, and framework development; ability to read, navigate, and understand embedded C source code.
• Comfort working daily within a Linux command-line environment (bash, build systems, SSH) and configuring HIL/SIL lab bench setups.
• Solid grasp of fundamental software testing principles: black-box/white-box techniques, regression strategy, equivalence partitioning, and defect tracking workflows.
• Ability to work on-site at the Sunnyvale headquarters five days per week with flexibility for scheduling adjustments as needed.
• Eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship (or valid existing work authorization), as this role supports federal contractor obligations.

Nice to have

• Direct experience with safety-certified POSIX-compliant Real-Time Operating Systems such as QNX, INTEGRITY, PikeOS, or SafeRTOS, specifically within an AUTOSAR Adaptive context.
• Proven background validating ISO 21434 cybersecurity requirements or executing ASIL B, C, or D functional safety verification activities (FMEDA, FTA, HARA).
• Proficiency with industry-standard toolchains including Vector CANoe/CANalyzer, Lauterbach TRACE32, dSPACE ControlDesk, and mixed-signal oscilloscopes/logic analyzers.
• Hands-on configuration of CI/CD orchestration platforms such as GitHub Actions, Jenkins, Buildkite, or GitLab CI for embedded artifact testing.
• Familiarity with Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) platforms like Polarion or Jira, specifically for requirements traceability and ASPICE process adherence.
• Experience with build systems (CMake, Bazel, Yocto) and containerization (Docker) for reproducible test environment provisioning.

Skills & tools

• Python (pytest, unittest, automation frameworks)
• Embedded C (reading, debugging, static analysis)
• AUTOSAR Classic (OS, COM, Diag, NvM, MemStack) & Adaptive (ARA, Execution Management, Communication Management)
• HIL / SIL / MIL Test Environments (dSPACE, Vector, NI, custom benches)
• Linux (Yocto, Ubuntu, RT_PREEMPT, command line, shell scripting)
• Automotive Protocols: CAN, CAN-FD, LIN, FlexRay, 100/1000BASE-T1 Ethernet, SOME/IP, DoIP, NM
• Debug & Trace: Lauterbach TRACE32, JTAG/SWD, ETB/ETM, CoreSight
• Bus Analysis: Vector CANoe/CANalyzer, Wireshark, Logic Analyzers (Saleae, Tektronix)
• CI/CD: GitHub Actions, Jenkins, Buildkite, GitLab CI
• ALM/Process: Polarion, Jira, ASPICE PAM 3.1, ISO 26262, ISO 21434
• Version Control: Git, Gerrit, Repo

Practical notes

This position mandates on-site presence at the Sunnyvale, California office five days a week, although the organization offers flexible daily scheduling arrangements to accommodate work-life balance. Applied Intuition operates as an equal opportunity employer and maintains status as a federal contractor, requiring adherence to specific compliance and citizenship verification protocols. The compensation range of $118,000 to $200,000 reflects base salary only and varies based on assessed experience level, depth of AUTOSAR expertise, and interview performance; total compensation may include equity and benefits. Candidates who possess a strong alignment with the core mission but may not satisfy every single listed qualification are strongly encouraged to apply, as the team values diverse engineering backgrounds and potential for growth. Visa sponsorship availability is not explicitly stated; applicants requiring sponsorship should clarify eligibility during the initial recruiter screen.