HIL Engineer

StafinGo; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 76,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

StafinGo is seeking an experienced HIL Engineer for a 6- to 12-month onsite assignment in Palo Alto, CA. The role supports automotive hardware-in-the-loop validation, building and validating new HIL systems and ensuring end-to-end ownership.

Responsibilities include system design, test planning, electrical integration, ECU I/O mapping, CAN/LIN/Ethernet interfaces, and MATLAB/Simulink model development. 4-5+ years of HIL experience and hands-on setup are required.

Qualifications

• 4-5+ years of HIL engineering experience.
• Experience building or standing up a HIL system from scratch.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and deploy HIL systems from scratch.

Skills

HIL engineering

dSPACE

MATLAB/Simulink

CANoe

CANalyzer

Electrical integration

Wiring I/O mapping

Test automation

Modeling

CAN/LIN/Ethernet

4-5+ years experience

Tools

dSPACE

Vector tools

ECU I/O mapping

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

Location: Palo Alto, California, Onsite (5 days per week in office)

Duration: 6-12 months (possibility to extend)

Hourly Rate: $55/hour - $65/hour on W2 (based on experience)

Client: Automotive

Overview:

Our client, a leading automotive engineering organization, is expanding its Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) validation capability and is actively seeking experienced HIL Engineers to support the buildout of multiple new systems.

This role requires hands-on ownership of HIL environments, from initial setup through system integration and validation. The ideal candidate brings deep, practical experience and can immediately contribute in a fast-paced, highly technical environment.

This is not an entry-level or general test role—we are specifically looking for engineers who have built or stood up HIL systems from the ground up.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, and deploy HIL systems from scratch
• Translate system requirements into test plans and validation strategies
• Perform electrical integration, including:
• ECU I/O mapping
• Configure and integrate vehicle communication interfaces:
• CAN, LIN, Ethernet
• Develop and maintain MATLAB / Simulink models
• Execute test development, automation, and debugging
• Support system-level validation and issue triage
• Collaborate across systems, controls, and hardware teams

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

• 4-5+ years of HIL engineering experience
• Demonstrated experience building or standing up a HIL system from scratch
• Strong hands-on experience with:
• dSPACE (required)
• Core Tools
• dSPACE (required)
• Vector tools (CANoe, CANalyzer - preferred)
• Modeling
• MATLAB / Simulink
• Interfaces
• CAN, LIN, Ethernet

Preferred Experience Areas:

Candidates may come from various domains, but strongest alignment includes:

• Low Voltage Systems (high priority)
• Body control
• Vehicle Motion Controls / Dynamics
• Thermal Systems

Additional Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with vehicle diagnostics
• Prior role/title as a HIL Engineer
• Background in highly hands-on programs such as:
• Automotive research or prototype programs

What Success Looks Like:

Strong candidates can clearly explain:

A HIL system they have built or owned end-to-end

Including:

Requirements gathering

Test planning

Electrical integration (wiring, I/O mapping)

Modeling approach (MATLAB/Simulink)

Execution and validation strategy

Candidates lacking this depth of ownership will not be a fit.

We appreciate all interest; however, only candidates whose experience fully meets the posted requirements will be considered.

**AI is not being used in the application/recruitment process for this position**