Senior HIL Engineer : OPAL RT

Methodica Technologies; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Methodica Technologies in San Diego, CA seeks a Senior HIL Engineer with 8+ years in HIL testing, OPAL-RT and MATLAB/Simulink modelling to develop real-time plant models and validate automotive embedded controls.

You will configure HIL environments, define use cases, execute regression tests, and integrate CAN/CAN FD, LIN, Ethernet and other interfaces with ECU testing and diagnostics.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in HIL, system validation, controls testing, or related automotive embedded testing.
• Strong hands-on experience with OPAL-RT real-time simulation/HIL platforms.
• Strong expertise in MATLAB/Simulink modelling and real-time model development.
• Experience developing plant models and HIL use cases.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain real‑time plant models using MATLAB/Simulink/Simscape for HIL applications.
• Develop and execute HIL use cases and test scenarios based on system requirements and validation objectives.
• Configure, integrate, and troubleshoot OPAL-RT real-time HIL simulators and I/O interfaces.
• Develop and validate plant models for automotive systems such as ECUs, powertrain, EV, BMS, inverter, motor control, and vehicle dynamics.
• Perform model verification, validation, and real-time execution to meet HIL performance requirements.
• Create and execute HIL test cases, automated test sequences, and regression testing.
• Analyze test results, identify failures, perform root-cause analysis, and collaborate with hardware/software teams.

Skills

HIL testing

System validation

Controls testing

Automotive embedded testing

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical/Controls Engineering

Tools

OPAL-RT real-time simulation

MATLAB/Simulink

Simscape/Simscape Electrical

Job description

Senior HIL Engineer – OPAL-RT / Simulink Modeling at San Diego, CA

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior HIL Engineer with 8+ years of experience in Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing, OPAL-RT, and MATLAB/Simulink modelling. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in developing real‑time plant models, configuring HIL environments, defining HIL use cases, and executing system‑level validation for automotive/embedded control systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain real‑time plant models using MATLAB/Simulink/Simscape for HIL applications.
• Develop and execute HIL use cases and test scenarios based on system requirements and validation objectives.
• Configure, integrate, and troubleshoot OPAL-RT real‑time HIL simulators and associated I/O interfaces.
• Develop and validate plant models for automotive systems such as ECUs, powertrain, EV, BMS, inverter, motor control, and vehicle dynamics.
• Perform model verification, validation, and real‑time execution to ensure models meet HIL performance requirements.
• Create and execute HIL test cases, automated test sequences, and regression testing.
• Analyze test results, identify failures, perform root‑cause analysis, and work with hardware/software teams to resolve issues.
• Integrate HIL systems with CAN/CAN FD, LIN, Ethernet, analog/digital I/O, PWM, and other automotive communication interfaces.
• Support requirement analysis and translate system requirements into HIL test scenarios and use cases.
• Optimize Simulink models for real‑time execution, including solver selection, model discretization, timing, and computational performance.

Required Skills & Experience

• 8+ years of experience in HIL, system validation, controls testing, or related automotive embedded testing.
• Strong hands‑on experience with OPAL-RT real‑time simulation/HIL platforms.
• Strong expertise in MATLAB/Simulink modelling and real‑time model development.
• Experience developing plant models and HIL use cases.
• Strong understanding of HIL architecture, real‑time simulation, I/O configuration, and signal conditioning.
• Experience with automotive communication protocols including CAN, CAN FD, LIN, and Ethernet.
• Experience with MATLAB, Simulink, Simscape/Simscape Electrical or equivalent modelling environments.
• Knowledge of ECU integration, diagnostics, test automation, and system‑level validation.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with EV, BMS, inverter, motor control, power electronics, or powertrain HIL.
• Similar Experience with dSPACE, NI, Vector CANoe/CANalyzer, or other HIL platforms.
• Knowledge of UDS, XCP, DoIP, and automotive diagnostics.
• Experience with Python, MATLAB scripting, CAPL, or test automation frameworks.
• Knowledge of ISO 26262 and automotive development/validation processes.

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field.