Firmware QA

Cortex Consultants LLC; Foster City (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Cortex Consultants LLC is seeking a hands-on Firmware Validation Engineer to join the Firmware - Connectivity and Audio team in Foster City, CA. You will own day-to-day test execution, triage field issues, and drive defect quality across Audio and streaming features.

Responsibilities include validating features, developing test content, closing coverage gaps, and performing root-cause analysis with logs and diagnostic tools.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related; 8+ years in validation/QA for firmware/embedded.
• Experience writing and executing test plans, identifying/closing coverage gaps, and managing defects.
• Strong log triage and debugging with Wireshark, DLT, ADB; field triage experience.
• Familiar with JIRA/Confluence and agile release cycles.

Responsibilities

• Manual feature validation for Audio and streaming features across bench and in-vehicle.
• Test content development: author new test cases and expand suites as features evolve.
• Close coverage gaps by identifying untested paths and tracking coverage health.
• Root-cause analysis: reproduce defects, collect logs, and isolate root cause.
• Field triage: reproduce issues in lab, drive issues to closure with fleet and firmware teams.
• Defect lifecycle: document reproduction steps, logs, severity, and regression follow-up in JIRA.
• Maintain test benches, in-vehicle rigs, and diagnostic setups to stay release-ready.
• Collaborate with firmware leads, product managers, and integration partners on readiness.

Skills

Validation engineering

Firmware/embedded

Python scripting

Linux/Ubuntu

Log analysis

JIRA/Confluence

Field triage

Test plans/cases

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

Tools

Wireshark

DLT

ADB

Job description

Position - Firmware QA

Location: Foster City, CA

Note Need candidate to be in person for final interview

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.

Key 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.