HIL Engineers

SoftPathTechnologies; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

SoftPathTechnologies is seeking a seasoned HIL Engineer for a Palo Alto, CA role onsite. You will lead design, build, and validation of HIL systems, owning end-to-end integration from requirements to test execution.

The position requires hands-on expertise with DSPACE, CAN/LIN/Ethernet, and MATLAB/Simulink, with strong electrical integration and system-level thinking. You will collaborate with controls, hardware, and software teams to troubleshoot complex issues, develop automated test cases,

Qualifications

• Hands-on HIL engineering experience.
• Ability to design and stand up HIL systems from scratch.
• Strong wiring and ECU I/O mapping knowledge.
• Proficient with CAN, LIN and Ethernet networks.
• MATLAB/Simulink modeling and test automation experience.
• Experience with dSPACE hardware and software tools.
• Familiarity with vehicle dynamics and power distribution concepts.
• Onsite work ability for Palo Alto, CA five days a week.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, integrate, and deploy HIL systems from scratch.
• Own HIL environments from setup through validation.
• Translate requirements into test plans and validation strategies.
• Perform electrical integration and ECU I/O mapping tasks.
• Configure vehicle interfaces including CAN, LIN, Ethernet.
• Develop MATLAB/Simulink plant and system models.
• Develop, automate, execute, and debug HIL test cases.
• Conduct system-level validation and triage issues.
• Analyze failures and collaborate with controls, software, and hardware teams.
• Troubleshoot hardware, software, and communication issues in HIL.

Skills

HIL engineering

System integration

Electrical wiring/ECU I/O mapping

CAN/LIN/Ethernet

MATLAB/Simulink

DSPACE

Test automation

Vehicle dynamics/Power distribution

Tools

Vector CANoe

Vector CANalyzer

Automotive diagnostics

Job description

HIL Engineer Automotive

Job Title: HIL Engineer
Location: Palo Alto, CA 5 Days Onsite
Work Arrangement: Onsite Local Candidates Only
Employment Type: W2
Visa: Visa Independent
Client: Ford
Interview: Video Interview

Position Overview

A leading automotive engineering organization is expanding its Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) validation capability and is seeking experienced HIL Engineers to support the development, integration, and validation of multiple new HIL systems.

The ideal candidate will have 4 5+ years of hands‑on HIL engineering experience and demonstrated experience building or standing up HIL systems from the ground up.

Candidates must also have direct domain experience in at least one of the following areas:

• Low Voltage Systems Highest Priority

• Body Control Systems

• Power Distribution / Electronic Fuses

• Motion Controls / Vehicle Dynamics

• Thermal Systems

• Zone Architecture

This is not an entry‑level or general testing role. Candidates should be able to demonstrate ownership of a HIL system from requirements gathering and electrical integration through modeling, test development, execution, and validation.

Key Responsibilities

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

• Own HIL environments from initial setup through system integration and validation.

• Translate system requirements into test plans, test cases, and validation strategies.

• Perform electrical integration, including wiring schematics and ECU I/O mapping.

• Configure and integrate vehicle communication interfaces including CAN, LIN, and Ethernet.

• Develop and maintain MATLAB/Simulink plant and system models.

• Develop, automate, execute, and debug HIL test cases.

• Perform system‑level validation and issue triage.

• Analyze test failures and collaborate with controls, systems, hardware, and software engineering teams.

• Troubleshoot hardware, software, communication, and integration issues within HIL environments.

• Support multiple HIL system builds and deployments.

Required Qualifications

• 4 5+ years of professional HIL engineering experience.

• Demonstrated experience building or standing up a HIL system from scratch.

• Strong hands‑on experience with dSPACE Required.

• Experience with system‑level validation and integration.

• Strong understanding of ECU I/O mapping and electrical integration.

• Hands‑on experience with CAN, LIN, and Ethernet communication protocols.

• Strong experience with MATLAB/Simulink.

• Experience developing and executing automated test cases.

• Strong automotive systems and vehicle architecture knowledge.

• Ability to troubleshoot and debug complex HIL environments.

• Ability to work 5 days onsite in Palo Alto, CA.

Preferred Domain Experience

Direct experience in at least one of the following areas is strongly preferred:

• Low Voltage Systems Highest Priority

• Body Control

• Power Distribution / Electronic Fuses

• Vehicle Motion Controls / Vehicle Dynamics

• Thermal Systems

• Zone Architecture

Preferred Technical Skills

• Vector CANoe

• Vector CANalyzer

• Automotive diagnostics

• ECU validation

• Vehicle communication networks

• HIL test automation

• System integration and validation

• MATLAB/Simulink modeling

Additional Preferred Experience

• Previous experience working as a HIL Engineer.

• Automotive research or prototype programs.

• Highly hands‑on engineering programs.

• Formula SAE or competitive engineering team experience.

• Next‑generation vehicle architectures.

• Vehicle diagnostics and ECU communication.

What We Are Looking For

Strong candidates should be able to clearly explain a HIL system they personally built or owned end‑to‑end, including:

• Requirements gathering

• HIL system architecture

• Test planning and validation strategy

• Electrical integration

• Wiring and ECU I/O mapping

• Communication interface configuration

• MATLAB/Simulink modeling

• Test automation

• System integration

• Test execution and debugging

• Validation and issue resolution

Candidates without hands‑on experience building or owning HIL systems from the ground up will not be considered.

Work Location

• Palo Alto, CA

• 5 Days Onsite

• Local Candidates Only

• W2 Position

• Visa Independent

• Video Interview