Sr. Software Engineer in Test

NIO; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage (Anthem Blue Cross)

Dental & Vision plans

401(k) with brokerage link

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Sick and vacation time

Job summary

NIO Inc. is seeking a QA / Validation Engineer to help develop a Next-Generation Automotive Operating System and Hypervisor platform. You will design automated tests and validation methods, build scalable frameworks, and drive integration with CI/CD pipelines for robust automotive software.

The role involves hardware-based testing environments, board bring-up, logs, and remote execution, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality, safe software across platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent.
• 5+ years of experience in test design and automation for embedded systems.
• Strong programming skills in Python, C/C++, Bash scripting.
• Hands‑on experience with Git-based version control workflows and hardware setups (board-level testing, logs, debugging tools).
• Solid understanding of test automation frameworks and debugging methodologies.
• Ability to work effectively in a global, cross‑functional team environment.
• Strong ownership mindset with a focus on quality and customer impact.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and execute automated test suites for OS foundation layers and hypervisor components.
• Build and enhance scalable test frameworks to improve coverage and efficiency.
• Develop and maintain CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins-based) for automated validation, regression, and nightly test execution.
• Set up and manage hardware validation environments, including board bring-up, flashing, logging, and remote execution.
• Collaborate with SCRUM teams to ensure delivery of high-quality, functionally safe software.
• Create and maintain test specifications, validation plans, and user documentation for test tools and environments.
• Analyze failures from CI/CD runs, identify root causes, and drive debugging and issue resolution.
• Support long-duration, stress, and reliability testing across multiple platforms.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of QA processes, automation coverage, and test infrastructure.

Skills

Python

C/C++

Bash scripting

Git workflows

Embedded systems

Test automation

Debugging methodologies

Cross-functional collaboration

Quality ownership

Education

Electrical Engineering

Computer Engineering

Computer Science

Tools

Docker

Jenkins

QEMU

KVM

Job description

NIO Inc. is a pioneer and a leading company in the global smart electric vehicle market. Founded in November 2014, NIO aspires to shape a sustainable and brighter future with the mission of “Blue Sky Coming”.

NIO envisions itself as a user enterprise where innovative technology meets experience excellence. NIO designs, develops, manufactures and sells smart electric vehicles, driving innovations in next-generation core technologies. NIO distinguishes itself through continuous technological breakthroughs and innovations, exceptional products and services, and a community for shared growth.

NIO provides premium smart electric vehicles under the NIO brand, premium smart electric vehicles for families through the ONVO brand, and small smart high-end electric cars with the FIREFLY brand.

About the Position

We are looking for a highly motivated QA / Validation Engineer to join our team working on a Next-Generation Automotive Operating System and Hypervisor platform. This role focuses on test automation, system validation, and continuous integration pipelines, ensuring high-quality, scalable, and functionally safe automotive software solutions.

You will work closely with cross-functional SCRUM teams, contributing to both software validation frameworks and hardware-based testing environments.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and execute automated test suites for OS foundation layers and hypervisor components.
• Build and enhance scalable test frameworks to improve coverage, efficiency, and debugging capabilities.
• Develop and maintain CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins-based) for automated validation, regression, and nightly test execution.
• Set up and manage hardware validation environments, including board bring-up, flashing, logging, and remote execution.
• Collaborate with SCRUM teams (development, system, and safety) to ensure delivery of high-quality, functionally safe software.
• Create and maintain test specifications, validation plans, and user documentation for test tools and environments.
• Analyze failures from CI/CD runs, identify root causes, and drive debugging and issue resolution.
• Support long-duration, stress, and reliability testing across multiple platforms.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of QA processes, automation coverage, and test infrastructure.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent.
• 5+ years of experience in test design and automation for embedded systems.
• Strong programming skills in:
• Python
• C/C++
• Bash scripting
• Hands‑on experience with:
• Git‑based version control workflows
• Experience working with hardware setups (board‑level testing, logs, debugging tools).
• Solid understanding of test automation frameworks and debugging methodologies.
• Ability to work effectively in a global, cross‑functional team environment.
• Strong ownership mindset with a focus on quality and customer impact.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working Experience with one or more operating systems:
• FreeRTOS
• SafeRTOS
• Experience with virtualization technologies:
• KVM
• QEMU
• Experience with containerization and DevOps tools:
• Docker
• Jenkins
• Knowledge of functional safety standards (ISO 26262).
• Experience with automotive and networking protocols:
• Ethernet, TCP/IP
• CAN / LIN networks
• Exposure to stress and reliability tools (e.g., stress-ng) is a plus.

Along with competitive pay, as a full‑time NIO employee, you are eligible for the following benefits on the first day you join NIO:

• Anthem Blue Cross, HSA, and Kaiser HMO medical plans with $0 for Employee Only Coverage.
• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plan. Both provide options with a $0 paycheck contribution covering you and your eligible dependents.
• Company Paid HSA (Health Savings Account) Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Anthem Blue Cross medical plan
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) with Brokerage Link option
• Company paid Basic Life, AD&D, short‑term and long‑term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Sick and Vacation time
• 13 Paid Holidays a year
• Paid Parental Leave for first 8 weeks at full pay (eligible after 90 days of employment with NIO)
• Paid Disability Leave for first 6 weeks at full pay (eligible after 90 days of employment with NIO)
• Voluntary benefits including: Voluntary Life and AD&D options for you, your spouse/domestic partner and dependent child(ren), pet insurance