Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Software/Firmware Engineer

Socket.dev; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity and competitive compensation

Health, dental and vision benefits

Parental and family leave

Generous PTO policy

401(k) or RRSP options

HSA contributions

Daily drinks, snacks and meals

Team building events

Job summary

Waabi, a leader in Physical AI and autonomous transportation, seeks an Engineer to develop software for HIL benches, enabling robust hardware-in-the-loop testing. You will build simulation interfaces and automated test frameworks, injecting CAN/Ethernet messages and validating behavior across real hardware with CI integration.

Strong Python, C/C++, Rust skills and Linux proficiency are required. You will work hands-on at the bench, bringing up new configurations and assisting engineers across

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in CS/CE/EE or equivalent industry experience.
• 4+ years of experience developing software for HIL, embedded test automation, or real-time test systems.
• Strong programming skills in Python; working proficiency in C/C++/Rust for embedded or real-time contexts.
• Hands-on experience with CAN and automotive Ethernet for message injection, logging, and debugging (CANalyzer, python-can, SocketCAN).
• Experience building test automation frameworks and integrating hardware tests into CI pipelines.
• Comfortable with lab equipment (oscilloscopes, DAQs, power supplies, E-loads) and debugging at the hardware/software boundary.
• Strong Linux proficiency for command-line workflows, system utilities, and bench infrastructure.
• Excellent technical writing skills for effective communication and documentation.
• Passionate about self-driving technologies, solving hard problems, and creating innovative solutions.

Responsibilities

• Develop the software and firmware powering Waabi's HIL benches, including test runners and bench control software.
• Build simulation interfaces that provide synthetic vehicle dynamics to embedded modules under test.
• Implement automated test frameworks and scripts for requirement-based tests on real hardware.
• Integrate HIL test execution into CI with validation and result reporting.
• Develop instrumentation and data acquisition software for hardware timestamping and analysis.
• Work hands-on at the bench to bring up configurations and support engineers across teams.
• Analyze and document test data for hardware, autonomy, and systems engineering teams.

Skills

Python programming

Embedded test automation

Linux proficiency

Technical writing

C/C++/Rust

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/CE/EE

Tools

CAN

CANalyzer

python-can

SocketCAN

Automotive Ethernet

Job description

Waabi, founded by AI visionary Raquel Urtasun, is the leader in Physical AI. With a world-class team, we're unlocking the next era of autonomous transportation with technology that's powering commercial autonomous trucks and robotaxis. Waabi is backed by and partners with world leaders in AI, automotive, logistics, and deep tech.

With offices in Toronto, San Francisco, Dallas, and Pittsburgh, Waabi is growing quickly and looking for diverse, innovative and collaborative candidates who want to impact the world in a positive way. To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai

You will…

• Develop the software and firmware that powers Waabi's HIL benches — test runners, simulation/stimulation interfaces, fault-injection tooling, and bench control software.
• Build simulation interfaces that feed synthetic vehicle dynamics (pose, speed, sensor data) to embedded modules under test, and stimulation tooling that injects CAN/Ethernet messages to trigger logical state changes.
• Implement automated test frameworks and scripts to run requirement-based tests (timing, fault handling, mode transitions, disengagements) on real hardware.
• Integrate HIL test execution into CI so firmware and software releases are automatically validated on benches before reaching the vehicle, including test-modality tracking and result reporting.
• Develop instrumentation and data acquisition software for hardware timestamping, analog measurement triggers, and endurance-run analysis.
• Work hands-on at the bench: bring up new bench configurations, debug hardware/software interactions, and support engineers across Embedded, Autonomy, and V&V running tests on HIL.
• Analyze and document test data for hardware, autonomy, and systems engineering teams.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent industry experience.
• 4+ years of experience developing software for HIL, embedded test automation, or real-time test systems.
• Strong programming skills in Python; working proficiency in C/C++/Rust for embedded or real-time contexts.
• Hands-on experience with automotive communication interfaces — CAN, automotive Ethernet — including message injection, logging, and debugging (e.g., CANalyzer, python-can, SocketCAN).
• Experience building test automation frameworks and integrating hardware tests into CI pipelines.
• Comfortable working with lab equipment (oscilloscopes, DAQs, power supplies, E-loads) and debugging at the hardware/software boundary.
• Strong Linux proficiency for command-line workflows, system utilities, and bench infrastructure.
• Excellent technical writing skills for effective communication and documentation.
• Passionate about self-driving technologies, solving hard problems, and creating innovative solutions.

Bonus:

• Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) and real-time Linux.
• Experience with plant modeling and vehicle dynamics simulation (MATLAB/Simulink, dSPACE ASM, CarSim, or custom).
• Familiarity with functional safety standards (ISO 26262) and safety MCU architectures.
• Experience with GUI or dashboard development for test operators (PyQt, web-based tooling).
• Firmware development experience on automotive microcontrollers.

Perks/Benefits:

Waabi provides a competitive benefits package that includes:

• - Competitive compensation and equity awards.
• - Health and wellness benefits encompassing Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• - Paid parental, medical and family care leave.
• - Generous PTO Policy.
• - Retirement savings plans including 401(k) or RRSP options.
• - Health savings account contribution options.
• - Daily drinks, snacks, and catered meals (when in office).
• - Regularly scheduled team building activities and social events both on-site, off-site & virtually.
• - Additional benefits are offered and tailored to specific country locations.
• - As we grow, this list continues to evolve!

Waabi is a technology start-up building technologies to transform the way the world moves. Join our talented team to be a part of the future and to make an impact!

Waabi is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a supportive, inclusive, and accessible workplace for all our employees. We seek applicants of all backgrounds and identities, across race, color, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, citizenship, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or parental status, caregiver status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. We make workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please let our recruiting team know.