Validation Engineer

1 year contract + extensions/potential conversionOnsite in Palo Alto or Long BeachPay Rate: $70-$85hrRequired Skills & ExperienceYou'll have...• Education: B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or arelated STEM field.• Processor Expertise: Hands-on experience debugging and validating microcontrollers (ie. ESP32,ARM Cortex-M, etc.).• Automotive Communication: Deep understanding of automotive networking protocols, includingAutomotive Ethernet (100BASE-T1/1000BASE-T1), CAN FD, LIN, and Unified DiagnosticServices (UDS / ISO 14229) for flashing configurations.• Silicon Ecosystems: Proven familiarity with Realtek Ethernet transceivers/switches andconfiguring low-level peripheral timers like the STM.• Functional Safety Standards: Comprehensive understanding of ISO 26262 processes, hardwaresoftware interface definitions (HSI), and safety-critical testing techniques.• Software Toolkit: Strong programming fluency in Python for building bench automationframeworks, alongside C for low-level embedded software inspection.Nice to Have Skills & ExperienceEven better, you may have...• Automotive Network & Traffic Generation Tools• Experience using dedicated automotive hardware interfaces and packet injection toolssuch as Intrepid Control Systems RAD-Gigastar, Vector VN5610A/VN5640, or othermedia converters.• Familiarity with enterprise Layer 2/3 traffic emulation suites such as Keysight IxNetworkor Spirent TestCenter to validate switch latency and throughput boundaries.• Hands-on knowledge of network script automation using open-source packetmanipulation libraries like Scapy via Python.• Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) & Debug Environments• Advanced proficiency in automated debugging and memory trace extraction utilizing aLauterbach 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-injectiontesting.• Proficiency configuring low-level registers, clocks, and peripheral drivers via vendorspecific configuration tools.• ISO 26262 Code Compliance & Dynamic Analysis• Experience with target-based software testing and code coverage frameworks like QASystems Cantata or Parasoft C/C++test to enforce structural safety standards.• Familiarity with static analysis and MISRA C/C++ compliance checkers such as QAMISRA, Helix QAC, or Synopsys Coverity.Job DescriptionWe are seeking a Platform Software Validation Engineer that drives and executes the safety,performance, and deterministic reliability strategies for next-generation automotive electronic control units(ECUs). In this role, you will develop and perform hands-on post-silicon bench testing on microcontrollers,validating Real-Time Drivers (RTD), the System Timer Module (STM), integrated automotive Ethernetchipsets, and bootloaders.You will own the end-to-end definition and execution of test methodologies designed to comply with ISO26262 ASIL functional safety requirements while optimizing real-time network stack throughput. You willarchitect automated test frameworks primarily controlled via Python frameworks, with flexibility to developtarget-side test code in C, C++, or Rust. Your expertise in embedded systems and automotive industryknowledge will help ensure the quality and reliability of our software solutions.What you’ll do...• Post-Silicon Bench Testing & Hardware Validationo Execute bench-level validation on physical silicon evaluation boards and customautomotive ECUs.o Configure and validate hardware peripherals, specifically focusing on the System TimerModule (STM), memory protection units, and interrupt controllers.o Integrate and verify PHY/switch drivers, validating high-speed automotive Ethernettransceiver performance under varied environmental conditions.o Bootloader & Flash Validation: Architect and execute test strategies forprimary/secondary bootloaders, validating secure boot sequences (cryptographicsignature verification), flashing routines via UDS (ISO 14229) over CAN/Ethernet, anddual-bank OTA roll-back mechanisms on microcontrollers.• Driver & Performance Verificationo Validate Real-Time Drivers (RTD) for bare-metal and AUTOSAR runtime environments.o Benchmark network stack throughput and latency using network testing utilities like iperf,CANoe, and hardware packet generators.o Analyze complex communication layers including TCP/IP, SOME/IP, and DoIP overautomotive Ethernet interfaces.• Functional Safety & Test Automationo Design, implement, and maintain automated regression test frameworks controlled viaPython scripts.o Develop target-side test applications in C, C++, or Rust when bare-metal deterministicexecution or strict memory safety verification is required.o Author V&V test specifications mapped directly to safety goals to ensure complianceacross various safety levels (ASIL B to ASIL D) in alignment with ISO 26262 Part 6.o Utilize advanced lab instrumentation (digital oscilloscopes, logic analyzers) anddebuggers to capture signals and isolate physical-layer anomalies.