Automotive Firmware Validation Engineer

ALTEN Technology USA; Foster City (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

ALTEN Technology USA is seeking an Automotive Firmware Validation Engineer in Foster City, CA. You will own day-to-day test execution, validate Audio and streaming features, and drive defect quality across in-cabin connected experiences.

The role emphasizes test content development, coverage expansion, and root-cause analysis using tools like Wireshark, DLT, and ADB, with collaboration across firmware, product, and integration teams.

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: writing/executing test plans and closing coverage gaps; managing defects.
• Connectivity background in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE/5G, GNSS, or vehicle networking.
• Root-cause skills with log triage and debugging; comfortable with Wireshark, DLT, ADB.
• Field triage experience: reproduce and isolate defects from production/field environments.
• Proficient in Python scripting for automation; comfortable on Linux/Ubuntu.
• Strong defect-tracking discipline (JIRA/Confluence) and experience in agile releases.

Responsibilities

• Manual feature validation for Audio and streaming features on bench and in-vehicle.
• Test content development: write new test cases and maintain test suites.
• Identify untested or under-tested paths and expand coverage.
• Reproduce defects and analyze logs; isolate root cause before handing off.
• Own first-line triage for fleet issues; drive to closure with teams.
• Manage defects end-to-end in JIRA with clear reproduction steps and logs.
• Maintain test benches, in-vehicle rigs, and diagnostic setups.
• Collaborate with firmware leads, product managers, and integration partners on readiness.

Skills

Python scripting

Log triage

Defect tracking

Education

BS in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related

Tools

Wireshark

DLT

ADB

Job description

We're ALTEN Technology USA, an engineering company helping clients bring groundbreaking ideas to life—from advancing space exploration and life-saving medical devices to building autonomous electric vehicles. With 3,000+ experts across North America, we partner with leading companies in aerospace, medical devices, robotics, automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, rail, and more.

As part of the global ALTEN Group—57,000+ engineers in 30 countries, we deliver across the entire product development cycle, from consulting to full project outsourcing.

When you join ALTEN Technology USA, you'll collaborate on some of the world’s toughest engineering challenges, supported by mentorship, career growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits. We take pride in fostering a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.

Workplace: On-Site, 5 days
Location: Foster City, CA

Our team is seeking a hands-on Automotive 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.

Responsibilities

• Manual feature validation: Execute functional, integration, regression, and exploratory testing for Audio and streaming features on bench and in-vehicle.
• Test content development: Author new test cases, expand existing test suites, and keep test documentation current as features evolve.
• Coverage gap closure: Identify untested or under-tested paths in the existing suites and systematically add coverage; track coverage health for each feature track.
• Root cause analysis: Reproduce defects, capture and analyze logs (Wireshark, DLT, ADB, HCI/Bluetooth traces, vehicle logs), and isolate root cause before handing off to firmware owners.
• Field issue triage: Own first-line triage for Audio and Streaming feature fleet issues — reproduce in lab, narrow scope, and drive issues to closure in partnership with fleet support, diagnostics, and firmware teams.
• Defect lifecycle: Manage defects end-to-end in JIRA — clear reproduction steps, attached logs, severity rationale, fix verification, and regression follow-up.
• Test infrastructure: Maintain test benches, in-vehicle rigs, and diagnostic setups so they stay release-ready.
• Cross-functional communication: Partner with firmware leads, product managers, and integration partners to align on feature readiness and defect priority.

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.

Salary Range

• $130,000 - 150,000
• The actual salary offered is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, the candidate’s combination of job-related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or pregnancy.

Compliance Notice: Alten USA is a federal contractor subject to the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Executive Order 11246. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Drug Screening Requirement: As a federal contractor, Alten USA maintains a drug-free workplace. All candidates selected for employment will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of hire.