Senior Quality Engineer
Acuity
Assembly
Staff Vehicle Test Engineer
Ford Motor Company
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: Palo Alto • California • 🇺🇸 United States
Visit company websiteJob Level
Lead
Tech Stack
Python
About the role
- Develop and execute vehicle-level test plans for pre-merge and post-merge software releases.
- Lead daily regression testing loops (startup/shutdown, diagnostics, CAN/Ethernet communication, domain feature smoke tests).
- Operate and maintain prototype vehicles, ensuring readiness for software testing and proving ground campaigns.
- Collect, analyze, and manage vehicle log data, providing clear feedback to integration and domain software teams.
- Debug and triage software/hardware integration issues, working closely with integration engineers and suppliers.
- Support vehicle bring-up: ECU flashing, network validation, wiring checks, and basic diagnostics.
- Define and enforce test processes and standards to ensure consistent execution across vehicles and sites.
- Mentor junior vehicle test engineers/operators on procedures, safety, and best practices.
- Partner with release and tools engineers to automate test result reporting and regression tracking.
- Support extended test campaigns at proving grounds, winter test sites, and internal demos.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Computer Engineering (or equivalent experience).
- 8+ years of experience in automotive vehicle-level testing or integration, with at least some exposure to multiple domains (chassis, powertrain, ADAS, body, infotainment).
- Strong hands-on experience with prototype vehicles, including flashing ECUs, configuring networks, and running test campaigns.
- Proficiency in automotive communication tools (Vector CANoe, CANalyzer, CANape; or equivalent).
- Experience analyzing and managing vehicle logs (MDF, BLF, or other formats).
- Solid understanding of diagnostics (UDS, OBD-II, DoIP) and ECU validation.
- Comfortable with scripting (Python, MATLAB, or similar) for test automation and data analysis.
- Proven ability to debug issues at the system level, bridging software and hardware boundaries.
- Familiarity with safety and validation processes (ISO 26262, ASPICE) is a plus.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, prototype-heavy environment with changing priorities.
- Willingness to work flexible hours (afternoon/evening/weekend shifts) as needed during test campaigns.
- Willingness to travel for proving ground and winter test campaigns.
Benefits
- 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
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard skills
vehicle-level testingintegrationECU flashingnetwork validationdiagnosticsscriptingdata analysisdebuggingtest automationvehicle log analysis
Soft skills
mentoringcommunicationproblem-solvingadaptabilityteam collaborationattention to detailtime managementleadershiporganizational skillsflexibility
Certifications
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical EngineeringBachelor’s degree in Electrical EngineeringBachelor’s degree in Computer EngineeringISO 26262 certificationASPICE certification
