Platform Software Validation Engineer

Insight Global; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Insight Global in Palo Alto seeks a Platform Software Validation Engineer to drive safety, performance and deterministic reliability for next-generation automotive ECUs. You will perform hands-on post-silicon bench testing on microcontrollers and validate RTD, STM, and bootloader methodologies.

The role emphasizes ISO 26262 ASIL compliance, automated test frameworks in Python, and target-side code in C/C++/Rust, with hardware-in-the-loop testing and advanced debugging tools.

Qualifications

• Education in Electrical/Computer Engineering or CS.
• Hands-on debugging and validation of microcontrollers (ESP32, ARM Cortex-M).
• Deep understanding of automotive networking protocols (Automotive Ethernet, CAN FD, LIN, UDS).
• Experience with Realtek Ethernet transceivers and STM peripherals.
• Familiarity with ISO 26262 processes and safety-critical testing techniques.
• Fluency in Python for bench automation; C for low-level code; Rust is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Post-Silicon bench testing on evaluation boards and ECUs.
• Configure and validate STM, memory protection units, and interrupt controllers.
• Validate bootloaders, cryptographic verification, and OTA flashing over CAN/Ethernet.
• Validate RTD for bare-metal and AUTOSAR environments.
• Benchmark network stack throughput and latency with iperf, CANoe, and packet generators.
• Develop automated regression test frameworks in Python; target-side code in C/C++/Rust.

Skills

Python scripting

C/C++

Automotive networking

ISO 26262 knowledge

AUTOSAR

Bench automation

Memory trace debugging

HIL testing

Education

B.S./M.S. in Electrical/Computer Engineering or CS

Tools

dSPACE ControlDesk

Vector VT System

RAD-Gigastar

Keysight IxNetwork

Spirent TestCenter

Lauterbach Trace32

Cantata

C/C++test

Coverity

Scapy

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking a Platform Software Validation Engineer that drives and executes the safety,

performance, and deterministic reliability strategies for next-generation automotive electronic control units

(ECUs). In this role, you will develop and perform hands-on post-silicon bench testing on microcontrollers,

validating Real-Time Drivers (RTD), the System Timer Module (STM), integrated automotive Ethernet

chipsets, and bootloaders.

You will own the end-to-end definition and execution of test methodologies designed to comply with ISO

26262 ASIL functional safety requirements while optimizing real-time network stack throughput. You will

architect automated test frameworks primarily controlled via Python frameworks, with flexibility to develop

target-side test code in C, C++, or Rust. Your expertise in embedded systems and automotive industry

knowledge will help ensure the quality and reliability of our software solutions.

What you’ll do...

• Post-Silicon Bench Testing & Hardware Validation
  • Execute bench-level validation on physical silicon evaluation boards and custom automotive ECUs.
  • Configure and validate hardware peripherals, specifically focusing on the System Timer Module (STM), memory protection units, and interrupt controllers.
  • Integrate and verify PHY/switch drivers, validating high-speed automotive Ethernet transceiver performance under varied environmental conditions.
  • Bootloader & Flash Validation: Architect and execute test strategies for primary/secondary bootloaders, validating secure boot sequences (cryptographic signature verification), flashing routines via UDS (ISO 14229) over CAN/Ethernet, and dual-bank OTA roll-back mechanisms on microcontrollers.
• Driver & Performance Verification
  • Validate Real-Time Drivers (RTD) for bare-metal and AUTOSAR runtime environments.
  • Benchmark network stack throughput and latency using network testing utilities like iperf, CANoe, and hardware packet generators.
  • Analyze complex communication layers including TCP/IP, SOME/IP, and DoIP over automotive Ethernet interfaces.
• Functional Safety & Test Automation
  • Design, implement, and maintain automated regression test frameworks controlled via Python scripts.
  • Develop target-side test applications in C, C++, or Rust when bare-metal deterministic execution or strict memory safety verification is required.
  • Author V&V test specifications mapped directly to safety goals to ensure compliance across various safety levels (ASIL B to ASIL D) in alignment with ISO 26262 Part 6.
  • Utilize advanced lab instrumentation (digital oscilloscopes, logic analyzers) and debuggers to capture signals and isolate physical-layer anomalies.

We are a company committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments where people can bring their full, authentic selves to work every day. We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that believes everyone matters. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic factors, age, disability, protected veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to [e-mail] learn more about how we collect, keep, and process your private information, please review Insight Global's Workforce Privacy Policy: https://insightglobal.com/workforce-privacy-policy/.

Skills and Requirements

You'll have...

• Education: B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM field.
• Processor Expertise: Hands-on experience debugging and validating microcontrollers (ie. ESP32, ARM Cortex-M, etc.).
• Automotive Communication: Deep understanding of automotive networking protocols, including Automotive Ethernet (100BASE-T1/1000BASE-T1), CAN FD, LIN, and Unified Diagnostic Services (UDS / ISO 14229) for flashing configurations.
• Silicon Ecosystems: Proven familiarity with Realtek Ethernet transceivers/switches and configuring low-level peripheral timers like the STM.
• Functional Safety Standards: Comprehensive understanding of ISO 26262 processes, hardware software interface definitions (HSI), and safety-critical testing techniques.
• Software Toolkit: Strong programming fluency in Python for building bench automation frameworks, alongside C for low-level embedded software inspection. Even better, you may have...
• Automotive Network & Traffic Generation Tools
• Experience using dedicated automotive hardware interfaces and packet injection tools such as Intrepid Control Systems RAD-Gigastar, Vector VN5610A/VN5640, or other media converters.
• Familiarity with enterprise Layer 2/3 traffic emulation suites such as Keysight IxNetwork or Spirent TestCenter to validate switch latency and throughput boundaries.
• Hands-on knowledge of network script automation using open-source packet manipulation libraries like Scapy via Python.
• Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) & Debug Environments
• Advanced proficiency in automated debugging and memory trace extraction utilizing a Lauterbach Trace32 debugger or other vendor-specific debuggers.
• Experience using bench automation and instrumentation platforms such as dSPACE (ControlDesk/ConfigurationDesk) or Vector VT System for modular I/O and fault-injection testing.
• Proficiency configuring low-level registers, clocks, and peripheral drivers via vendor specific configuration tools.
• ISO 26262 Code Compliance & Dynamic Analysis
• Experience with target-based software testing and code coverage frameworks like QA Systems Cantata or Parasoft C/C++test to enforce structural safety standards.
• Familiarity with static analysis and MISRA C/C++ compliance checkers such as QA MISRA, Helix QAC, or Synopsys Coverity.