Firmware Validation Engineer

Title: Firmware Validation Engineer

Job Type: Contract

Contract Length: 6 months

Pay Range: $95 - $100/hr

Start Date: 6/29

Location: Onsite - Foster City, CA

Our client, a leader in the autonomous vehicle industry, is looking for a hands‑on Firmware Validation Engineer to join their Firmware – Connectivity and Audio team for a 6‑month engagement. This is a validation‑first role focused on in‑cabin connected experiences, including Audio and streaming features. The engineer will be the team’s owner for day‑to‑day test execution and defect quality, responsible for manual feature testing, expanding test content, closing coverage gaps, and isolating the root cause of defects both on the bench and in the field.

• Manual Feature Validation:
  Execute functional, integration, regression, and exploratory testing for Audio and streaming features on the bench and in‑vehicle.
• Test Content Development & Coverage:
  Author new test cases, expand existing test suites, keep test documentation current, and systematically identify and close coverage gaps in existing test suites.
• Root Cause Analysis & Triage:
  Reproduce defects, capture and analyze logs (Wireshark, DLT, ADB, HCI/Bluetooth traces, vehicle logs), and isolate the root cause before handing off to firmware owners.
• Field Issue Management:
  Own first‑line triage for Audio and Streaming feature fleet issues—reproduce in the lab, narrow the scope, and drive issues to closure in partnership with fleet support, diagnostics, and firmware teams.
• Defect Lifecycle Management:
  Manage defects end‑to‑end in JIRA (clear reproduction steps, attached logs, severity rationale, fix verification, and regression follow‑up).
• Test Infrastructure Maintenance:
  Maintain test benches, in‑vehicle rigs, and diagnostic setups so they stay release‑ready.
• Cross‑functional Communication:
  Partner with firmware leads, product managers, and integration partners to align on feature readiness and defect priority.

• 8+ years in a hands‑on validation/QA engineering role on firmware or embedded products, with a BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• Validation Depth:
  Demonstrated experience writing and executing test plans/cases, identifying and closing coverage gaps, and managing defects through the full lifecycle.
• Connectivity Background:
  Hands‑on validation experience in at least one connectivity domain—Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi, cellular (LTE/5G), GNSS, or vehicle networking.
• Root‑Cause Skill:
  Strong log triage and debugging instincts; comfortable with Wireshark, DLT, ADB, and similar tooling.
• Field Triage
  
  Experience:
  
  Track record of reproducing and isolating defects reported from production/field environments.
• Scripting:
  Python scripting sufficient to automate repetitive checks and parse logs; comfortable on Linux/Ubuntu.
• Process
  
  Experience:
  
  Strong defect‑tracking discipline (JIRA/Confluence) and experience in agile release cycles.

• Prior experience with in‑cabin entertainment and/or media casting frameworks.
• Bluetooth stack validation (pairing, A2DP/HFP/AVRCP, interop).
• Background and experience in wireless connectivity technologies.
• Prior exposure to autonomous‑vehicle or robotaxi fleet environments.

W2 only (No C2C or 1099 contractors)