Diagnostics Engineer

Talentstra; Foster City (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Talentstra is seeking an experienced Diagnostics Engineer to design and implement real-time diagnostic monitors for automotive systems. You will develop robust diagnostic algorithms, validate them with software tests, HIL benching, and fleet data to ensure reliability across diverse vehicle conditions.

The role emphasizes C/C++ development, formal requirement derivation, and knowledge of UDS/ISO 14229, CAN/LIN, and Automotive Ethernet.

Qualifications

• 6-8 years in automotive diagnostics or related fields.
• Proficient in C/C++, modern features.
• Experience designing and implementing diagnostic algorithms.
• Familiar with UDS/ISO14229, DTC, OBD.
• Experience with CAN/LIN/Automotive Ethernet.
• Experience with software unit testing and HIL testing.
• Ability to derive requirements from failure modes.
• Experience validating with fleet and bench data.

Responsibilities

• Architect and implement real-time diagnostic monitors.
• Develop signal plausibility checks and degradation detection.
• Create fault isolation logic for system faults.
• Perform software unit testing and HIL testing.
• Conduct automated regression testing.
• Validate diagnostics across varied vehicle conditions.

Skills

C/C++

Diagnostic algorithms

Automotive protocols

Vehicle systems engineering

Real-time software

HIL testing

Software testing

Tools

UDS ISO 14229

OBD-II SAE J1979

CAN bus

LIN bus

Automotive Ethernet

Model-based diagnostics

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Diagnostics Engineer with 6-8 years of professional experience in automotive diagnostics, embedded controls, or vehicle systems engineering. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in C/C++, diagnostic algorithm development, automotive communication protocols, and vehicle-level validation.

The engineer will be responsible for designing and implementing real-time diagnostic monitors, developing diagnostic requirements, and validating diagnostic algorithms through software testing, HIL testing, bench data, and fleet data.

Key Responsibilities

Diagnostic Algorithm Design & Implementation

• Architect and implement real-time diagnostic monitors using modern C++.
• Develop signal-level plausibility checks to identify abnormal or invalid signals.
• Design and implement degradation detection algorithms.
• Develop fault isolation logic to identify and isolate system/component faults.
• Perform software unit testing to validate diagnostic algorithms.
• Conduct Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing for diagnostic functionality.
• Perform automated regression testing before final implementation.
• Analyze diagnostic behavior and ensure algorithms perform reliably under different vehicle operating conditions.

Diagnostic Requirement Engineering

• Author formal diagnostic monitor requirements.
• Define appropriate detection thresholds for diagnostic monitors.
• Define debounce strategies to prevent false fault detection.
• Specify appropriate fault response actions.
• Ensure diagnostic requirements are traceable to system-level or component-level failure modes.
• Verify and validate diagnostic requirements using fleet data and bench data.
• Collaborate with system and component engineering teams to ensure diagnostic requirements accurately represent potential failure conditions.

Requirements

Key Requirements

• 6-8 years of professional experience in automotive diagnostics, embedded controls, vehicle systems engineering, or autonomous vehicle systems.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++, including modern C++.
• Hands-on experience designing and implementing diagnostic algorithms.
• Working knowledge of automotive diagnostic standards and protocols: UDS / ISO 14229, DTC management, OBD-II / SAE J1979.
• Working knowledge of automotive communication buses: CAN, LIN, Automotive Ethernet.
• Hands-on experience with control algorithms, state estimators, and model-based diagnostic observers.
• Experience with software unit testing, HIL testing, and automated regression testing.
• Ability to develop diagnostic requirements based on system/component failure modes.
• Experience validating diagnostic requirements and algorithms using fleet and bench data.