Firmware Validation Engineer (Foster City)

Pay Rate: up to $111.50/hr on w2 (No C2C or 3rd parties)Location: Onsite in Foster City, CAHelping an on-demand, autonomous ride-hailing company hire a Firmware Validation Engineer to support validation, testing, and issue triage activities across embedded firmware and connectivity systems.In this role, you'll execute and expand validation efforts focused on audio, streaming, and connectivity features across both bench and in-vehicle environments. You'll work closely with firmware, diagnostics, fleet support, and integration teams to identify defects, improve test coverage, support root cause analysis, and ensure high-quality feature releases for production vehicle systems.The ideal candidate is a hands-on validation engineer with strong debugging skills, embedded systems experience, and a proven ability to drive issues from reproduction through resolution in fast-paced technical environments.Our team is seeking a hands-on Firmware Validation Engineer to join the Firmware - Connectivity and Audio team. This is a validation-first role focused on manual feature testing, growing test content, closing coverage gaps, root-causing defects, and triaging field problems across in-cabin connected experiences. The engineer is the team's owner for day-to-day test execution and defect quality on these feature tracks.As a Firmware Validation Engineer, you'll:Execute functional, integration, regression, and exploratory testing for audio and streaming features in bench and in-vehicle environments.Develop new test cases, expand existing test suites, and maintain test documentation as features evolve.Identify coverage gaps within existing validation suites and improve overall feature test coverage.Reproduce defects, capture logs, analyze system behavior, and isolate root causes prior to escalation to firmware development teams.Perform first-line triage for fleet-reported issues related to audio, streaming, and connectivity systems.Partner with fleet support, diagnostics, firmware, and integration teams to investigate and resolve complex issues.Manage defects through the full lifecycle in JIRA, including reproduction details, severity assessment, fix validation, and regression verification.Maintain validation benches, diagnostic tooling, and in-vehicle test environments to support release readiness.Collaborate with firmware leads, product managers, and integration partners to align on feature readiness, defect prioritization, and release quality.Required Qualifications:BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related; 8+ years in a hands-on validation/QA engineering role on firmware or embedded products.Validation depth: Demonstrated experience writing and executing test plans/cases, identifying and closing coverage gaps, and managing defects through the full lifecycle. Connectivity background (any flavor): Hands-on validation experience in at least one connectivity domain — Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular (LTE/5G), GNSS, or vehicle networking. Root-cause skill: Strong log triage and debugging instincts; comfortable with Wireshark, DLT, ADB, and similar tooling.Field triage experience: Track record of reproducing and isolating defects reported from production/field environments.Python scripting sufficient to automate repetitive checks and parse logs; comfortable on Linux/Ubuntu.Strong defect-tracking discipline (JIRA/Confluence) and experience in agile release cycles.Preferred Qualifications:Prior experience with in-cabin entertainment and/or media casting frameworks.Bluetooth stack validation (pairing, A2DP/HFP/AVRCP, interop).Background and experience in wireless connectivity technologies.Prior exposure to autonomous-vehicle or robotaxi fleet environments.