Platform Software Validation Engineer

StratEdge IT Consulting INC; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

Ford is seeking a Platform Software Validation Engineer for a highly embedded, platform-level validation role. The team will validate platform software across multiple vehicle ECUs, focusing on RTOS, drivers, HAL, network stacks, and file systems.

Candidates should combine development and validation experience and be comfortable with C/C++ and GDB/Green Hills tools. Location is Long Beach, CA or Palo Alto, CA with a 4-day onsite requirement; this is a 12+ month contract with W2 rate of $60/hr.

Qualifications

• Embedded software background with testing experience.

Responsibilities

• Define requirements for a new Platform Software Validation Engineer team.
• Validate platform/embedded software across multiple vehicle ECUs.
• Build and execute test plans and see them through to validation.
• Coordinate with embedded developers to ensure testability and coverage.

Skills

Embedded software development

RTOS experience

Driver-level validation

HAL validation

Microcontroller debugging

Network stack testing

File system testing

Crypto and networking knowledge

GitHub workflows

C Mock/CMock experience

Debugging and trace analysis tools

Tools

GDB

Green Hills Compiler

Realtek drivers

Job description

Title: Platform Software Validation Engineer

Location: Long Beach, CA or Palo Alto, CA (4 days onsite a week)

Duration: 12+ Months Contract

Client: Ford

Rate: $60/hr on W2 (Flexible)

Referral: $2/hr

Visa: TN

Interview Mode: Video

Submission Requirements

Need Genuine LinkedIn- NO RECENT OR MULTIPLE LINKEDIN

Must have full educational details with University Name and year of completion in resume.

WITHOUT ABOVE MENTIONED PREREQUISITE RESUME WILL BE DEEMED AS FAKE.

Overview

Job Description: The meeting focused on defining requirements for a new Platform Software Validation Engineer team. Manager provided additional technical context beyond the job description, clarified the desired candidate profile, reviewed the interview process, and discussed logistics, budget, and hiring timelines.

Coding Expectations

Python knowledge at a junior level is acceptable

Stronger emphasis on understanding of C/C++

Key Takeaways

• This is a highly embedded, platform-level validation role.
• Embedded developers who can test are preferred over pure test engineers.
• RTOS, driver validation, networking, file systems, and chipset experience are critical.
• Target 4-5 hires at the mid-to-senior level.
• Long Beach and Palo Alto are the approved work locations with a 4-day onsite requirement.
• Interview process includes coding assessments and an onsite panel.
• Candidates with NXP, Green Hills, GDB, networking, and semiconductor backgrounds should receive priority consideration.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Strong Technical Background

Manager Emphasized a Preference For

• Embedded software developers who know how to test
• Candidates with both development and validation experience

Key Skills to Target

• Embedded software development
• RTOS experience
• Driver-level validation
• Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) validation
• Microcontroller debugging and validation
• Network stack testing
• File system testing
• Crypto and networking knowledge
• GitHub workflows
• C Mock/CMock experience
• Debugging and trace analysis tools

Preferred Technologies & Experience

Candidates with experience in the following should be prioritized:

• NXP chipsets
• Realtek drivers
• Green Hills Compiler
• GDB debuggers and trace recorders

Industries to Target

Preferred Backgrounds Include

• Automotive
• Robotaxi companies
• AI-focused companies
• Semiconductor companies
• Networking organizations such as Cisco

Automotive experience is considered a nice-to-have, not a requirement.

Candidate Screening Guidance

Manager Suggested Recruiters Explore The Following During Qualification Calls

Questions to Ask

• How would you test a file system?
• What chipsets have you worked on or validated?
• How have you stress-tested a network stack?
• What tools did you use during network validation?
• What embedded platforms, drivers, or RTOS environments have you supported?

Hiring Need

Looking to hire approximately 4-5 engineers.

Seeking a mix of mid-level and senior engineers.

Minimum Experience

Mid-level: ~3+ years

Senior: 5+ years

Team & Scope

This is a new team being built.

Engineers will support validation at the platform/embedded software level, working across multiple vehicle ECUs rather than validating individual ECUs.

Work Will Focus On

• Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS)
• Embedded drivers and hardware abstraction layers
• ECU and chipset-level validation
• Network performance testing
• Component-level test environments
• Building and executing test plans