Senior Hardware Validation Engineer

Ford Motor Company

Senior Hardware Validation Engineer focusing on validating automotive hardware in an innovative electric vehicle team. Collaborating on validation strategies and leading complex test infrastructure development.

Posted 5/27/2026full-timeLong Beach • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $118,700 - $198,500 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Test Infrastructure Development: Design, build, and maintain complex ECU-level test benches, integrating hardware and software components to create scalable and reliable validation environments.
V&V Strategy and Planning: Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to define and implement comprehensive verification and validation (V&V) plans for automotive hardware and systems.
Test Execution and Automation: Design and execute functional, performance, and safety test cases while developing automation scripts and tools to increase testing efficiency and accuracy.
Root Cause Analysis and Debugging: Lead the debugging of complex system issues, working across teams to identify root causes, confirm fixes, and implement strategies to prevent future regressions.
Reporting and Process Optimization: Prepare detailed technical reports for stakeholders and continuously improve testing methodologies and tools to enhance overall effectiveness.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Software Engineering or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience. combined with at least 5 years of experience in the automotive or a relevant industry.
Domain Expertise: Deep understanding of automotive EE architecture, embedded software, and control systems, including the integration of complex interactions across multiple domains like body and powertrain.
Communication Protocols: Proficiency in automotive network protocols (CAN, LIN, Ethernet, FlexRay) and industry-standard IDLs such as DBC, LDF, and ARXML.
HIL Bench Proficiency: Extensive experience operating and maintaining Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test platforms, specifically utilizing NI Test platforms, dSPACE, or Vector VT.
Testing and Automation: Proven ability to develop and execute both manual and automated test suites, with a strong grasp of the software development lifecycle and automotive testing methodologies.
Technical Analysis: Strong skills in system-level debugging and root-cause analysis, supported by the ability to interpret complex wiring schematics, logical diagrams, and harness drawings.
Validation Strategy: Demonstrated capability to define, lead, and drive comprehensive system validation plans from the initial concept phase through to final production.
Collaboration and Technical Tools: A track record of collaborating with large cross-functional teams, ideally supported by proficiency in programming languages (C/C++, Python, MATLAB) and familiarity with ISO 26262 safety standards.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
Tuition assistance
Established and active employee resource groups
Paid time off for individual and team community service
A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

ATS Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

ECU-level test benchesverification and validation (V&V)functional testingperformance testingsafety testingautomation scriptsroot cause analysissystem debuggingautomated test suitesautomotive testing methodologies

Soft Skills

collaborationcommunicationprocess optimizationtechnical reporting