Test and Validation Engineer

Pittsburgh Robotics Network; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

UPMC health coverage with FSA or HSA

Dental, vision, and life insurance

401(k) with employer match

Free catered lunch every day with ave<

31 Days of PTO (including holidays)

Comp time for company travel

Job summary

Carnegie Robotics LLC in Pittsburgh seeks a highly skilled Validation Engineer to lead V&V for autonomous systems. You will define test plans, build benches, and run simulations to validate software and hardware integration in challenging off-road environments.

The role requires strong technical writing, Python/C++ data analysis, and hands-on instrumentation of autonomous vehicles, with collaboration across hardware and software teams. Excellent communication and safety focus are essential.

Qualifications

• Excellent technical writing to produce reproducible test plans and validation reports.
• Proficiency in Python or C++ for data analysis and tooling.
• Experience with data acquisition systems and vehicle sensors.
• Familiarity with software config mgmt, CAD tools, and project mgmt software.
• Strong ability to coordinate across multiple disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Author comprehensive test strategy, plans, and success criteria for off-road autonomous systems.
• Design and develop test benches and automated testers for validation and HIL testing.
• Program and run automated tests in simulation environments (CARLA or similar).
• Instrument vehicles with sensors and DAQ hardware for field tests.
• Develop analysis tools to parse data, identify anomalies, and troubleshoot issues.
• Prepare formal risk and safety posture reports and track program risks.
• Collaborate with project, hardware, and software teams to verify requirements.

Skills

Technical Writing

Analysis

Programming

Instrumentation

Engineering Toolset

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a technical field

Tools

Git

SolidWorks

Fusion 360

JIRA

Costpoint

Microsoft Office / Google Suite

Job description

Carnegie Robotics is a leader in designing and producing automated systems for use in a wide variety of commercial and government applications. We’re seeking a highly skilled Validation Engineer with the technical rigor and interpersonal skills to lead verification and validation (V&V) efforts for cutting‑edge autonomous systems. In this role, you will be a defender of system quality, ensuring that our software, electrical, and mechanical components integrate seamlessly to meet customer requirements in challenging off‑road environments. The ideal candidate will be able to reliably take strategic direction, provide technical leadership in testing methodologies, and interact professionally with teammates, customers, and potential customers.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Test Strategy & Planning: Author comprehensive test plans that define the scope, methodology, and success criteria for off‑road autonomous systems.
• Infrastructure Development: Design and develop physical test benches and automated testers to streamline validation and support hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) testing.
• Virtual Validation: Program and execute automated tests within simulation environments (e.g., CARLA, or proprietary sims) to validate software performance before field deployment
• Hardware Instrumentation: Physically instrument autonomous vehicles with high‑precision sensors and data acquisition (DAQ) equipment to prepare for field testing.
• Analysis & Custom Tooling: Develop and utilize custom analysis tools (Python/C++) to parse datasets, identify anomalies, and troubleshoot complex system issues found during all phases of development.
• Reporting & Risk Management: Leverage analyzed field data and technical evidence to author formal reports that clearly articulate program risks and safety posture.
• Collaboration: Work side‑by‑side with project, hardware, and software teams to ensure all deliverables meet high‑quality standards and that requirements are fully verified.

Validation Engineer Required Qualifications / Skills

• Technical Writing: Excellent communication skills with a focus on writing reproducible test plans and formal validation reports.
• Analysis & Programming: Proficiency of at least one programming language (e.g., Python, C++) for data analysis and tool development.
• Instrumentation: Experience with data acquisition systems and vehicle sensors.
• Engineering Toolset: familiarity with modern engineering and management tools:
  • Software configuration management (e.g., Git)
  • CAD packages (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, etc.)
  • Project management software (JIRA, Costpoint)
  • Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite
• Organizational Skills: Strong ability to coordinate disparate fields of study to identify and mitigate system‑level risks.

Validation Engineer Preferred Qualifications / Skills

• Autonomous Systems: Previous experience with autonomous vehicles or robotics.
• Automation: Experience building automated test equipment (ATE) or HIL test environments.
• Simulation: Experience with robotics simulation environments and automated regression testing.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with USG Systems Engineering Processes, Military Standards (e.g., MIL‑STD‑882E).
• Systems Thinking: Ability to translate complex technical failures into documented programmatic risks.

Education And Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in a technical field (Mechanical, Electrical, Robotics, Systems, or Software Engineering preferred).

Benefits

• UPMC health coverage with FSA or HSA options
• Comprehensive dental, vision, and life insurance
• Fidelity 401(k) plan with employer match
• Free catered lunch every day with a vegan option
• 31 Days of PTO (including holidays)
• Comp time for company travel

Carnegie Robotics LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer that welcomes applications from all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable laws and Carnegie Robotics’ employment policies.