Autonomy Validation Engineer - Field Testing & AI-Ready

Textron Inc.; Augusta (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc. is seeking an Autonomy Test & Validation Engineer to develop scenario-based validation strategies for autonomous systems, validate performance within ODDS, and generate structured datasets to drive ML improvements.

The role demands a bachelor’s degree in engineering, 2 years of relevant experience, and proficiency in Python or C, with travel to field deployments and KPI validation as a key component.

Qualifications

• Experience in vehicle testing, robotics validation, or autonomous systems.
• Strong understanding of sensors (LiDAR, camera, GPS, IMU) and vehicle dynamics and control.
• Ability to design structured test plans and analyse complex system performance.
• Experience with data logging, telemetry capture, and analysis tools.
• Hands-on, field-based debugging mindset with strong problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop scenario-based validation strategies for nominal, degraded, and edge-case conditions.
• Verify autonomous system performance within defined ODDS and measure KPI’s.
• Execute safety validation activities and support hazard analysis.
• Support integration, commissioning, and validation of autonomous vehicles during prototypes.
• Capture structured datasets for ML model improvements.
• Perform root-cause investigations across perception, localization, planning, and controls.
• Provide validation reports and insights to accelerate development.
• Develop best practices and testing protocols for safe autonomous vehicle testing.
• Collaborate with the development team to troubleshoot in real-time during field testing.

Skills

Vehicle testing

Robotics validation

Autonomous systems

Sensor knowledge

Test plan design

Data logging

Telemetry analysis

Field debugging

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics, Electrical, Mechanical or Software Engineering

Tools

Python

C

ROS2

Isaac Sim

Telemetry tools

Job description

Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc. is seeking an Autonomy Test & Validation Engineer to develop scenario-based validation strategies for autonomous systems, validate performance within ODDS, and generate structured datasets to drive ML improvements.

The role demands a bachelor’s degree in engineering, 2 years of relevant experience, and proficiency in Python or C, with travel to field deployments and KPI validation as a key component.