Vehicle Software & Systems Validation Engineer

Optimal; Dearborn (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimal in Dearborn, MI, seeks a Vehicle Software & Systems Validation Engineer to validate embedded software and vehicle features across in-vehicle, bench, and lab environments in an Agile setting. The role is fully onsite in Michigan.

You will develop and execute tests, automate scripts with Python, analyze failures, document results, and collaborate with software, hardware, and systems engineers to ensure quality and milestone delivery.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years automotive software testing, vehicle validation, or systems engineering experience.
• Experience with in-vehicle testing and embedded software validation.
• Experience with functional testing, defect management, and root-cause analysis.
• Experience working in an Agile/Scrum environment.
• Proficiency with Python or similar scripting languages.
• Experience with JIRA and test execution/documentation.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute functional, system, integration, regression, and user-acceptance tests.
• Perform in-vehicle, bench, and laboratory validation of embedded software and vehicle features.
• Develop and maintain automated tests and scripts using Python.
• Execute software and system tests, analyze logs/data, and investigate failures to determine root cause.
• Reproduce, troubleshoot, and validate software and system defects with cross-functional engineering teams.
• Document test results and manage defects using JIRA and test-management tools such as Jama and TestRail.
• Support requirements traceability, test planning, execution, reporting, and release validation.
• Contribute to test automation, tools, processes, and continuous improvement.
• Prepare and maintain vehicles, test benches, laboratory equipment, software, and test environments.
• Collaborate with software, hardware, systems, and feature engineers to resolve issues and meet program milestones.

Skills

Software Testing

Test Execution

Python

API

Root Cause Analysis

Agile / Scrum

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, or related field

Tools

JIRA

Jama

TestRail

CANalyzer/CANoe

Job description

Job Title:

Vehicle Software & Systems Validation Engineer

Position Description:

Vehicle Software & Systems Validation Engineer Responsible for validating vehicle software, embedded systems, and integrated vehicle features to ensure functional, quality, performance, safety, and customer requirements are met throughout the product development lifecycle. The engineer will work in an Agile environment to plan, execute, analyze, and document manual and automated testing across vehicles, benches, and laboratory environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute functional, system, integration, regression, and user-acceptance tests based on requirements and Agile user stories.
• Perform in-vehicle, bench, and laboratory validation of embedded software and vehicle features.
• Develop and maintain automated tests and scripts using Python or similar languages.
• Execute software and system tests, analyze logs/data, and investigate failures to determine root cause.
• Reproduce, troubleshoot, and validate software and system defects with cross-functional engineering teams.
• Document test results and manage defects using JIRA and test-management tools such as Jama and TestRail.
• Support requirements traceability, test planning, execution, reporting, and release validation.
• Contribute to test automation, tools, processes, and continuous improvement.
• Prepare and maintain vehicles, test benches, laboratory equipment, software, and test environments.
• Collaborate with software, hardware, systems, and feature engineers to resolve issues and meet program milestones.

Skills Required:

Software Testing, Test Execution, Python, API, Root Cause Analysis

• 3-5 years of automotive software testing, vehicle validation, or systems engineering experience.
• Experience with in-vehicle testing and embedded software validation.
• Experience with functional testing, defect management, and root-cause analysis.
• Experience working in an Agile/Scrum environment.
• Proficiency with Python or similar scripting languages.
• Experience with JIRA and test execution/documentation.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Skills Preferred:

Test Automation, Python, Automated Scripting

• Test automation and scripting experience.
• API interaction, data parsing, log analysis, and telemetry interpretation.
• CANalyzer/CANoe and automotive network fundamentals.
• Vehicle electrical/electronic architecture knowledge.
• Infotainment or ADAS testing experience.
• Knowledge of ISO 26262, ASPICE, and automotive regulatory requirements.
• Experience with Jama, TestRail, Git, CI/CD, or software release processes.
• Software update/OTA validation experience.

Experience Required:

• 3-5 years experience.
• Develop and execute functional test scenarios and test utilizing user stories contained within Agile Sprints.
• Interface with development teams to understand testing requirements.
• Review project requirements to ensure requirements are testable.
• Prepare necessary benches, vehicles, tools, and software to execute testing.
• All test results following to the merge of related test codes in to Master to be logged (pass/fail), failures to be debugged to assess the root cause of failures allowing only valid defects to be entered into the defect tracking system, JIRA.
• Work with feature engineers to reproduce and troubleshoot defects found in the system.
• Participate in root-cause analysis of hardware quality problems and software defects.
• Participate in system design, documentation, and testing to deliver a best in-class infotainment system.
• During sprint planning provide estimates on the amount of time needed to complete testing related tasks.
• Review hardware laboratory nodes and apply corrective and predictive maintenance processes to upkeep that the nodes are in satisfactory condition and functionality.
• Analyze the root-cause of software failures to correctly prioritize them for subsequent fixing, providing timely validation rounds for both manual and automation.
• Contribute in enhancements towards automation development, optimizing, new feature validation, and testing for upcoming vehicle programs and testing efforts.
• Identify areas of improvement in all facets of testing and velocity tracking.
• Use Test Management tools for test planning review, execution, monitoring review (proficient key metrics interpretation), and reporting of Test Results
• Provide detailed feedback and comprehensive bug reports to ensure high-quality software and efficient testing workflows.

Experience Preferred:

Python or similar scripting languages

• API interaction and data parsing
• Log analysis and telemetry interpretation
• Test automation frameworks
• Toolchain development for vehicle operations
• Technical writing and process documentation

Education Required:

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, or related field.

Additional Information :

*FULLY ONSITE*hands-on testing with vehicles, laboratory equipment, test benches, and embedded systems.

• Develop and execute functional test scenarios and test utilizing user stories contained within Agile Sprints.
• Interface with development teams to understand testing requirements.
• Review project requirements to ensure requirements are testable.
• Prepare necessary benches, vehicles, tools, and software to execute testing.
• All test results following to the merge of related test codes in to Master to be logged (pass/fail), failures to be debugged to assess the root cause of failures allowing only valid defects to be entered into the defect tracking system, JIRA.
• Work with feature engineers to reproduce and troubleshoot defects found in the system.
• Participate in root-cause analysis of hardware quality problems and software defects.
• Participate in system design, documentation, and testing to deliver a best in-class infotainment system.
• During sprint planning provide estimates on the amount of time needed to complete testing related tasks.
• Review hardware laboratory nodes and apply corrective and predictive maintenance processes to upkeep that the nodes are in satisfactory condition and functionality.
• Analyze the root-cause of software failures to correctly prioritize them for subsequent fixing, providing timely validation rounds for both manual and automation.
• Contribute in enhancements towards automation development, optimizing, new feature validation, and testing for upcoming vehicle programs and testing efforts.
• Identify areas of improvement in all facets of testing and velocity tracking.
• Use Test Management tools for test planning review, execution, monitoring review (proficient key metrics interpretation), and reporting of Test Results
• Provide detailed feedback and comprehensive bug reports to ensure high-quality software and efficient testing workflows.