Title:
Hardware Validation Engineer
Pay:$47.00-$54.00/hour
Location:
Palo Alto, CA
Schedule:
8-5 or 9-6
Duration:
12-Month Contract
This is a 12-month contract position requiring a validation engineer to serve as the primary testing partner for hardware and software design teams. The role spans test strategy development, ECU-level functional testing, silicon characterization, and failure analysis, supporting the full product lifecycle from design through validation. The schedule is 8-5 or 9-6, with overtime possible with pre-approval from the manager.
Job Responsibilities:
In this role, you will manage and support a variety of projects within the Validation Engineering department. Key responsibilities include:
- Serving as the primary validation partner for HW/SW design teams, providing centralized testing services spanning the entire product lifecycle
- Developing comprehensive test plans, cases, and environmental strategies (DVP&R) that integrate Silicon Validation data into ECU-level functional testing
- Collaborating with design teams to architect and build specialized test scripts and hardware fixtures (HIL/Bench) to support validation activities
- Participating in DFMEA, PFMEA, and Bill of Design (BoD) assessments to identify and mitigate risks to project timing and customer quality
Essential Job Duties and Job Functions:
- Planning and executing Durability, Electrical, and Functional validation for component-level ECUs
- Validating Silicon-level performance (SoCs, Microcontrollers) within the ECU environment, focusing on power integrity, thermal boundaries, and signal analysis
- Leading deep-dive root cause investigations for test failures, utilizing data reproduction and fault simulation to resolve hardware/firmware issues
- Providing advanced data analytics from conducted tests to drive design improvements and ensure compliance with Component Technical Specifications (CTS)
- Maintaining and enhancing technical templates, "ADV Toolboxes," and Drawing Templates to ensure a unified validation approach across the engineering organization
- Establishing and managing end-to-end traceability between requirements and test results using JAMA, JIRA, and version control systems
- Managing "Lessons Learned" repositories to refine the Bill of Materials (BoM) and improve product performance and safety based on real-world test data
Knowledge and Skills:
- Strong background in Silicon-level validation and ECU component testing
- Proficient in automotive communication protocols: CAN, CAN-FD, LIN, and FlexRay
- Working knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for testing labs
- Hands-on experience with bench-level testing (oscilloscopes, power supply, digital multimeter) and thermal chambers
- Proficiency in JIRA and JAMA for requirement management
- LabView, TestStand, and CAPL programming skills highly preferred
- Ability to interpret complex electrical schematics and mechanical drawings
- Collaborative communicator capable of working cross-functionally in a fast-paced "Engineering Ops" service model
Education and Experience:
- BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field
- 6+ years of experience in automotive or consumer electronics, with a strong focus on the design and development of electronics
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