Senior Vehicle Hardware Verification and Validation Engineer Lead

Senior Staff Vehicle Hardware Verification and Validation Engineer Lead

As the Senior Staff Vehicle Hardware Verification and Validation Lead, you will define, execute, and ensure the technical integrity of all vehicle-level hardware testing. You will orchestrate a comprehensive hardware test program, collaborate closely with hardware, software, systems, and safety engineering teams, establish and enhance organizational test standards, and guide cross‑functional engineering groups to guarantee rigorous verification and validation of Aurora’s advanced hardware systems across all autonomous vehicle programs.

• Define, develop, and implement comprehensive test strategies and methodologies for autonomous hardware integrations and associated vehicle platform hardware, including design verification, system integration testing, and environmental verification.
• Work with internal resources and outside test facilities to execute vehicle‑level tests.

• Act as the technical leader and subject‑matter expert for all vehicle‑level hardware V&V activities.
• Coordinate the execution of vehicle‐level testing across all sub‑systems and platform integrations, including thermal management, drive‑by‑wire, power subsystems, and cleaning.
• Align technical experts across these systems to execute EMC, structural, and thermal testing.
• Drive and set priority for critical root‑cause analysis of complex system failures, ensuring robust corrective actions with cross‑functional buy‑in.

• Establish and maintain high‑impact working relationships with design, manufacturing, software, operations, and safety teams to align on test requirements, schedules, and deliverables.

• Oversee the standardization of data collection, analysis, and documentation of extensive vehicle‑level hardware tests.
• Create comprehensive technical reports and present clear, concise status updates and results to senior leadership.

• Drive the process of defining and improving internal software test tools for test case execution, data collection, and analysis.
• Support the development and/or selection of additional data collection hardware and software for test execution.

Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.

Experience: 7 years of progressive experience in hardware testing, verification, and validation, with at least 2 years in a technical leadership or lead role within the automotive or aerospace industry. Experience in the autonomous vehicle space is advantageous.

Domain Expertise: Deep understanding of V&V processes, testing methodologies (statistical analysis, fault injection, hardware‑in‑the‑loop, RCCA process, hands‑on problem solving), and the development life cycle for safety‑critical hardware systems.

Technical

Skills:

• Experience with utilizing test automation tools and collaborating with software development teams to deliver relevant hardware functional verification tools.
• Experience with sensing and data collection (accelerometers, strain gauges, force transducers, fleet ops, data logging equipment, signal conditioning).
• Working knowledge of systems engineering practices and methodologies.
• Use of engineering programs for requirement management and work tracking (JAMA, JIRA).
• Working experience with the latest automotive communication protocols.
• Proven ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, ambiguous environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for presenting complex technical information to diverse audiences.

• Experience with vehicle durability testing.
• Experience with hardware module testing.
• Experience with hardware reliability.
• Proficiency in programming for test automation (Python,
  
  C).

Base salary range for this position is $189,000 - $274,000 per year. Aurora also offers an annual bonus, equity compensation, and benefits.

Aurora considers candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy status, disability, or any other status protected by federal or state law. Aurora is an equal‑opportunity employer and will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans during the application process.