Simulated Vehicle Validation Engineer

About Forterra

Forterra is a leading provider of autonomous systems for ground-based movement in the working world. Amongst some of the earliest innovators in the field of driverless technology, Forterra is focused on building systems that protect front-line soldiers and enable civilian workers in our industrial base. Forterra is the go-to provider of ground autonomy solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense, which harnesses the technology for asymmetric warfare in critical conditions.

Forterra is seeking a Simulated Vehicle Validation Engineer responsible for validating our simulated vehicle physics/dynamics models against real life counterparts along with implementing, updating, and maintaining physics/dynamics models for existing and future vehicles. This role demands expertise in vehicle dynamics and software engineering, with a particular emphasis in validation. Ideal candidate has experience developing vehicle physics models for Unreal or similar platforms.

• Design, development, and maintenance of simulation-based physics/dynamics models for ground vehicles (commercial and government).
• Lead validation of models against real-world vehicles and data including directing data gathering as necessary to accomplish complete validation.
• Software development activities such as agile ceremonies, task updates, and team meetings.
• Collaborate with engineers from other cross‑functional groups such as plat, systems, safety and test to ensure dynamics are acceptably accurate.
• Support troubleshooting, integration, development, and fixing of automated tests focusing on vehicle dynamics issues.
• Work in a distributed team to accomplish sprint goals.
• Travel as required to support data collection.

A team player who is passionate about vehicle physics and dynamics and has the drive to lead the validation activities to ensure accurate physics and dynamics models.

• 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience in Python, Linux, and C++.
• Expertise with simulated vehicle physics/dynamics programming, preferably in a game engine such as Unreal.
• Expertise in validating vehicle physics models against real life data including the design of experiments.
• Expertise in validation and research needed to create physics models from limited information.
• Strong debugging experience.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills, with an ability to troubleshoot and resolve software issues.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment, managing multiple tasks and priorities.

• Experience with game engines such as Unreal and/or simulation platforms such as CARLA and dSPACE.
• Experience with autonomous vehicles.

US Salary Range: $145,000—$195,000

• Premium Healthcare Benefits:
  Three plan options, including an HSA‑eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long‑term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption.
• A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after‑tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Forterra is an equal‑opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. All qualified applications will receive equal consideration for employment.