Senior SQA Engineer for Safety-Critical Systems

Aptiv; Walnut Creek (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Wind River is seeking a Senior Member of the Technical Staff to join the Engineering Quality Solutions group and lead software quality across our safety-critical product portfolio, including VxWorks and Helix platforms.

You will plan, execute, and govern SQA activities, collaborating with Architects, Certification Office, and Product Management to embed quality, safety, and security practices early in the development lifecycle. Strong leadership and cross-functional communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on experience in Software Quality Assurance for safety- and security-critical systems.
• In-depth knowledge of DO-178C and solid working expertise in ASPICE, ISO 26262, ISO 9001 QMS and IEC 61508.
• Proven ability to perform audits, reviews, and inspections of software lifecycle artifacts.
• Strong understanding of SDLC processes, configuration management, change control, and traceability.
• Experience supporting certification, assessments, and external audits with customers or regulatory bodies.
• Ability to work effectively across cross-functional and distributed teams.
• Excellent analytical, documentation, and communication skills.
• Domain experience in aviation, drone systems, automotive, humanoid robotics, or industrial platforms is highly desirable.
• Self-driven, detail-oriented, and capable of influencing without direct authority.
• Knowledge and experience with software development tools such as Git, GitLab, Jenkins, JIRA, Polarion, DOORS.
• Software engineering experience with the full development lifecycle and processes, Agile.

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and manage SQA activities across assigned projects in alignment with defined SDLC processes.
• Perform audits, reviews, and inspections of software lifecycle artifacts to ensure compliance with applicable standards.
• Ensure timely creation, review, approval, and baselining of SQA deliverables required for certification and customer releases.
• Collaborate with Product Engineering, Architects, Certification Office, and Product Management to embed quality, safety, and security practices early in the development lifecycle.
• Provide governance and oversight of software quality processes across multiple product lines, including VxWorks and Helix Virtualization Platform.
• Supports safety-critical and security-critical programs across Aviation/Drone, Automotive, Humanoid Robotics, and Industrial domains, based on assignment.
• Identify quality risks, gaps, and noncompliances, and drive corrective and preventive actions to closure.
• Support certification and assessment activities, including internal and external audits, customer reviews, and regulatory engagements.
• Maintain and improve SQA processes, checklists, templates, and work instructions to align with evolving standards and business needs.
• Participate in cross-site and distributed team engagements, ensuring consistent application of quality standards across global teams.
• Provide guidance, mentoring, and support to engineering teams on software quality, safety, and compliance best practices.
• Track and report SQA metrics, issues, and status to stakeholders and leadership as required.
• Continuously improve quality practices by incorporating lessons learned and industry best practices.

Skills

Senior Technical Staff

Software Quality Assurance

SDLC

Cross-functional leadership

Tools

Git

GitLab

Jenkins

JIRA

Polarion

DOORS

Job description

Wind River is seeking a Senior Member of the Technical Staff to join the Engineering Quality Solutions group and lead software quality across our safety-critical product portfolio, including VxWorks and Helix platforms.

You will plan, execute, and govern SQA activities, collaborating with Architects, Certification Office, and Product Management to embed quality, safety, and security practices early in the development lifecycle. Strong leadership and cross-functional communication are essential.