Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Team Lead

Socket.dev; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity awards

Health benefits

Parental leave

Generous PTO

401(k) RRSP options

Job summary

Waabi in Pittsburgh is seeking a seasoned HIL lead to own the strategy, architecture, roadmap, and execution across hardware and software teams. You will design tiered HIL benches from ECU-level to full-system tests and drive integration with CI and firmware releases.

The role requires 7+ years in HIL or V&V for safety-critical automotive systems, strong Python and automation skills, and deep knowledge of CAN and automotive Ethernet.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science or equivalent.
• 7+ years in HIL, embedded testing, or V&V for safety-critical systems.
• Hands-on experience architecting and building HIL platforms and labs.
• Deep knowledge of automotive interfaces: CAN, automotive Ethernet.
• Plant modeling and vehicle dynamics simulation knowledge.
• Python proficiency and test automation, CI integration.
• Technical leadership across hardware/software teams.
• Strong technical writing ability.
• Passion for self-driving technology and solving hard problems.

Responsibilities

• Lead Waabi's HIL program across Hardware and Software orgs with strategy and roadmap.
• Define tiered HIL architecture from ECU-level benches to full-system tests.
• Verify electrical, timing, and fault-handling requirements on HIL benches.
• Own safety-critical fault injection on real hardware and high-risk scenarios.
• Validate real-time constraints with hardware timestamping and measurements.
• Integrate HIL testing into CI and firmware/software releases with automation.
• Collaborate with Embedded Systems, Safety, Autonomy, V&V, and Infrastructure teams.
• Plan bench capacity, hardware needs, and headcount as programs scale.
• Establish documentation and metrics for fault coverage and release validation.

Skills

Python

Test automation

Embedded systems

HIL

Hardware testing

CAN

Automotive Ethernet

Debugging

Leadership

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering

Tools

Custom HIL platforms

OTS systems

CI pipelines

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…

• Lead Waabi's HIL program, owning the strategy, architecture, roadmap, and execution across Hardware and Software organizations.
• Define and deliver a tiered HIL architecture — from lightweight component-level benches (single ECU under test) through embedded-system benches to full-system integration benches — scaled across multiple vehicle platforms and OEM programs.
• Verification of critical electrical, timing, and fault-handling requirements from full-vehicle testing onto HIL benches, ensuring only mature software reaches the vehicle.
• Own safety-critical fault injection on real hardware: power loss, autonomy disconnect, redundant power failover, and other destructive or high-risk scenarios verified in a safe environment before track deployment.
• Validate real-time constraints (e.g., control loop update intervals) using hardware timestamping and instrumented measurement (oscilloscopes, high-speed DAQ).
• Integrate HIL testing into CI and the firmware/software release process, including automated smoke testing and test modality tracking.
• Partner closely with Embedded Systems, Systems & Safety, Autonomy, V&V, and Infrastructure teams to define requirements coverage and unblock development.
• Plan bench capacity, hardware resources (ECUs, actuators, harnessing), and headcount as the program scales; hire and grow the HIL team.
• Establish documentation, processes, and success metrics for the program (fault-injection coverage, release validation time, timing compliance).

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent industry experience.
• 7+ years of experience in HIL, embedded systems test, or V&V for safety-critical systems, with demonstrated experience building HIL programs or labs from early stages.
• Hands-on experience architecting and building custom HIL platforms as well as using OTS systems.
• Deep knowledge of automotive interfaces and debugging: CAN, automotive Ethernet, and related protocols.
• Strong understanding of simulation vs. stimulation approaches — plant modeling and vehicle dynamics simulation as well as message-level injection for logical state testing.
• Proficiency in Python and test automation frameworks; experience integrating hardware test into CI pipelines.
• Demonstrated technical leadership: leading engineers, driving cross-functional projects with high ambiguity, and communicating across hardware and software organizations.
• Excellent technical writing skills for effective communication and documentation.
• Passionate about self-driving technologies, solving hard problems, and creating innovative solutions.

Bonus:

• Experience with functional safety standards (ISO 26262) and real-time safety-critical systems.
• Experience with heterogeneous compute platforms (e.g., NVIDIA DRIVE-class SoCs, safety MCUs) in HIL environments.
• Experience with fault-injection hardware, load boxes, and breakout/harness design for bench systems.
• Prior experience in autonomous vehicles, trucking, or other complex vehicle programs spanning multiple platforms.

Perks/Benefits:

• 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.