Principal Automation Validation Engineer

Principal Automation Validation Engineer (Lead/Expert)Role OverviewAs a Principal Automation Validation Engineer in Automotive V&V, you will be at the forefront of ensuring the safety, reliability, and performance of next-generation vehicle systems. You will lead the design, development, and implementation of sophisticated automation frameworks that streamline the testing of complex ECUs, ADAS features, and infotainment systems. This role requires a deep blend of automotive domain knowledge and high-level software engineering to transition traditional testing into fully autonomous CI/CD pipelines.Key ResponsibilitiesFramework Architecture: Design and maintain scalable automation frameworks for SIL (Software-in-the-Loop), HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop), and MIL (Model-in-the-Loop) environments.Test Strategy & Execution: Define automated test strategies for complex automotive systems, ensuring maximum coverage of functional and non-functional requirements.Scripting & Development: Develop high-quality, reusable test scripts and libraries using Python, C++, or CAPL to automate diagnostic (UDS), communication (CAN/LIN/Ethernet), and functional tests.Tool Integration: Integrate automated testing into DevOps pipelines (Jenkins/Azure DevOps) to enable continuous integration and rapid feedback loops.Analysis & Debugging: Lead the root-cause analysis of complex system failures, utilizing bus logging tools to trace issues across distributed vehicle networks.Compliance: Ensure all automation processes and test cases align with industry standards such as ISO 26262 (Functional Safety) and ASPICE.Mentorship: Act as a technical authority for the V&V team, providing guidance on coding best practices, automation logic, and modern testing methodologies.Required Technical SkillsProgramming Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in Python (specifically for test automation) and C/C++. Familiarity with Java or Rust is a plus.Automotive Protocols: Deep understanding of automotive communication protocols including CAN, CAN-FD, LIN, FlexRay, and Automotive Ethernet.Testing Tools: Hands-on experience with the Vector Toolchain (CANoe, CANalyzer, vTESTstudio) or dSPACE (ControlDesk, AutomationDesk).V&V Methodologies: Comprehensive knowledge of the Automotive V-Model and experience in requirements-based testing (using tools like IBM DOORS or Jama).Diagnostics: Strong experience with UDS (ISO 14229) and DoIP.Qualifications & ExperienceEducation: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Automotive Engineering, or a related field.Experience: 5+ years of professional experience in automotive software testing, with at least 3 years focused specifically on automation framework development.Safety Standards: Proven track record of working within ISO 26262 environments and understanding ASIL levels.Problem Solving: A "test-to-break" mindset with the ability to troubleshoot complex hardware-software interactions.Soft SkillsExcellent communication skills to bridge the gap between software developers and system architects.Strong analytical thinking and the ability to work under tight production deadlines.Proactive approach to identifying process bottlenecks and implementing automated solutions.