Software Quality Assurance & Compliance Engineer - DO-178C

Hardware FYI; Walnut Creek (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Wind River Systems is seeking a Senior Member of the Technical Staff to join the Engineering Quality Solutions group and lead high-impact software quality assurance activities. You will govern software quality across product lines, collaborating with architects, product management, and certification offices to ensure safety, security, and regulatory compliance.

The role involves planning, executing, and maturing SQA processes for flagship products such as VxWorks and Helix, with exposure to

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on experience in Software Quality Assurance for safety- and security-critical systems.
• In-depth knowledge of DO-178C, ASPICE, ISO 26262, ISO 9001 QMS and IEC 61508.
• Proven ability to perform audits, reviews, and inspections of software lifecycle artifacts.
• Experience supporting certification, assessments, and external audits with customers or regulatory bodies.

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and manage SQA activities across assigned projects in alignment with SDLC processes.
• Perform audits, reviews and inspections of software artifacts to ensure compliance with standards.
• Ensure timely creation, review, approval, and baselining of SQA deliverables for certification and releases.
• Collaborate with Product Engineering, Architects, Certification Office, and Product Management to embed quality, safety, and security practices.

Skills

SQA for safety-critical

Audits & inspections

SDLC governance

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory & standards

RTOS familiarity

Tools

Git

GitLab

JIRA

Polarion

Doors

Job description

ABOUT WIND RIVER

Wind River is a global leader in delivering software for mission-critical intelligent systems. For more than four decades, the company has been an innovator and pioneer, powering billions of systems that require the highest levels of security, safety, and reliability.

Wind River helps customers across automotive, aerospace, defense, industrial, medical, and telecommunications industries solve complex technology challenges on their journey toward the new intelligent machine economy. Our software powers generation after generation of the safest, most secure systems in the world—from NASA's Artemis I and the James Webb Space Telescope to the world's largest Open RAN networks.

We've earned global recognition for our technology innovation and workplace culture, including Great Place to Work certification and being named a "Top Workplace" for ten consecutive years. If you want to be part of a unique culture built on growth mindset, customer focus, and diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging, come join us and help advance the future software-defined world.

YOUR ROLE

Wind River Systems isseekingahigh‑performingSenior Member of the Technical Staffto join theEngineering Quality Solutions (EQS)group and help grow ourSoftware Quality Assurance (SQA)team.

The successful candidate will join ahigh‑impactEngineering Quality Solutions team responsible for the governance of software quality, safety, and security across Wind River's product portfolio.You will collaborate closely across the Product Engineering organizationand Certification officeto drive effective and compliant software quality assurance programs.

As a Senior Member of Technical Staff – Engineering Quality Solutions, you will work with a skilled SQA team to plan, execute, and driveproduct‑levelSQA activities and standards processes, followingwell‑definedSoftware DevelopmentLife Cycle (SDLC) practices. You will partnercross‑functionallywith Architects, Technologists, Product Managers,CertificationTeam,distributed development teams, andcustomer‑facingorganizations.

This role supports Wind River's flagship products, including VxWorks and Helix Virtualization Platform, and may involve assignments across Automotive, Aviation/Drone, Humanoid Robotics, and Industrial programs, depending on business needs.

The role is focused on deliveringhigh‑quality, secure, andsafety‑criticalsoftwarethat meets stringent regulatory and customer requirements, enabling successful certification and deployment formission‑criticalcustomer applications.

In your daily job you will:

• Plan, execute, and manageSoftware Quality Assurance (SQA)activities across assigned projects in alignment with definedSDLC processes.
• Performaudits, reviews, and inspectionsof software lifecycle artifacts to ensure compliance with applicable standards (e.g., DO‑178C, ASPICE, ISO 26262, IEC 61508. ISO 9001QMS).
• Ensuretimelycreation, review, approval, andbaseliningofSQA deliverablesrequiredfor certification and customer releases.
• Collaborate closely withProduct Engineering, Architects,Certification Office, and Product Managementto embed quality, safety, and security practices early in thedevelopmentlifecycle.
• Providegovernance and oversightof software quality processes across multiple product lines, including VxWorks and Helix Virtualization Platform.
• Supportsafety‑criticalandsecurity‑criticalprogramsacross Aviation/Drone, Automotive, Humanoid Robotics, and Industrial domains, based on assignment.
• Identifyquality risks, gaps, andnon‑compliances, anddrive corrective and preventive actionsto closure.
• Supportcertification and assessment activities, including internal and external audits, customer reviews, and regulatory engagements.
• Maintain and improveSQA processes, checklists, templates, and work instructionsto align with evolving standards and business needs.
• Participate incross‑siteand distributed team engagements, ensuring consistent application of quality standards across global teams.
• Provide guidance, mentoring, and support to engineering teams onsoftware quality, safety, and compliance best practices.
• Track and report SQA metrics, issues, and status to stakeholders and leadership asrequired.
• Continuously improve quality practices by incorporatinglessons learnedand industry best practices.

HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE

Keyskills and competenciesfor succeeding in this role are:

• Stronghands‑onexperience inSoftware Quality Assurancefor safety‑andsecurity‑criticalsystems.
• In‑depthknowledge ofDO‑178Cand solid workingexpertiseinASPICE, ISO 26262, ISO 9001 QMS and IEC 61508.
• Proven ability to performaudits, reviews, and inspectionsof software lifecycle artifacts.
• Strong understanding ofSDLC processes, configuration management, change control, and traceability.
• Experience supportingcertification, assessments, and external auditswith customers or regulatory bodies.
• Ability to work effectively acrosscross‑functionaland distributed teams.
• Excellent analytical, documentation, and communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to managemultiple priorities and programssimultaneously.
• Domain experience inaviation, drone systems, automotive, humanoid robotics, or industrial platformsis highly desirable.
• Self‑driven,detail‑oriented, and capable of influencing without direct authority.
• Knowledge and experience with software development tools such as Git, GitLab, Jen, JIRA,Polarion. Doors
• Software engineering experience with the full development lifecycle and processes, Agile and scrum project management tools (e.g.Jira, GitLab);
• Scrum certifications are a plus
• CSQE certification is a plus
• Familiarity with Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS) and RTOS development tools

Compensation

This role is compensation range is between $140,000 to $170,000 plus annual incentive plan bonus. Compensation is determined through interviews and a review of the education, experience, knowledge, skills, location, and abilities of the applicant, and equity with other team members. Employees in this role are also eligible for the following benefits in accordance with the terms of the Company's plans: health, dental, vision insurance, life insurance, flex time off, eligibility to enroll in 401k, and 12 paid holidays.

SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS

Successful candidates must engage in a security clearance processin regard totheir citizenshipin order toperform fundamental job duties, as per applicable law.In particular, candidates with certain citizenship may not be able to perform such fundamental job duties.Currently, this includes citizens of the following countries: Belarus; Burma; China; Cuba; Iran; North Korea; Syria; Venezuela; Afghanistan; Cambodia; Central African Republic; Cyprus; Democratic Republic of Congo; Ethiopia; Eritrea; Haiti; Iraq; Lebanon; Libya; Russia; Somalia; South Sudan; Sudan; Zimbabwe. The security clearance process may take a significant amount of time to complete, and any offer of employment will be contingent on the candidate's legal ability to perform the fundamental job duties. Wind River is committed to meeting its obligations to candidates under applicable human rights law and privacy law in this regard.

APPLICANT PRIVACY NOTICE:

Your privacy is of the utmost importance to us.At Wind River, westrictlyadhere toallapplicable data privacy laws. Please review Wind River's Applicant Privacy Notice, which can be found here.

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Aptiv is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.