Validation Engineer :: Sunnyvale, CA Onsite 5 days/week

Role- Validation Engineer

Location: Sunnyvale, CA Onsite 5 days/week

Duration: 6-month contract to hire

W2 preferred !!!

Interview Process:

• Initial recruiter screen with Internal TA (15 min)
• 2 x 45-minute technical interviews
• Final 30-minute conversation with Manager
  • Interview process can potentially be completed in one day for onsite candidates
  • Scenario/problem-solving focused interviews
  • Technical evaluation includes practical validation methodology and light Python scripting/automation questions

Description:

Why are these roles open:
Applied Intuition has an existing IVI/HMI product/program that is already ~50% through development and moving toward production. They need to ramp up validation and verification efforts quickly and add additional bandwidth to accelerate both manual testing and automation efforts.

What have you been running into:

• Candidates from OEM environments often struggle because they are used to validating complete end-to-end vehicle systems instead of partial ECU/signal-level systems.
• Many testers lack enough Python scripting/automation capability.
• Some candidates are too focused on manual QA vs true automotive validation/system-level reasoning.
• Need candidates who can logically reason through incomplete systems and independently execute testing.
• Need candidates comfortable in a fast-paced startup environment.

Intake Note:

• Mid-level candidates are acceptable/preferred. Do NOT send entry-level/fresh grads.
• Strong preference for candidates with infotainment/IVI validation backgrounds from OEMs or Tier-1 suppliers.
• Candidates do NOT need to be expert coders, but they must be able to read/modify/create Python automation scripts using existing frameworks/templates.
• They want engineers who understand systems behavior, CAN/signals, and ECU-level interactions.
• This is more validation engineering than pure QA and not a mobile or software QA.
• They are flexible on exact Bluetooth/WiFi experience if the candidate has strong automotive infotainment validation fundamentals.
• The environment is highly collaborative and fast paced.
• Local candidates strongly preferred, but relocation is possible.
• Multiple openings (2+ currently for HMI validation, likely growing).
• Candidates open to contract only OR contract-to-hire are acceptable.

Automotive IVI/HMI (Human Machine Interface) Validation Engineer:

We are looking for engineers with experience in Android-based HMI systems, including UI automation (Python/Appium), connectivity (Bluetooth, WiFi), and manual bench/vehicle testing.

What's this team's overall project:
Team is working on Android-based in-vehicle infotainment/HMI systems that are approaching production release. The focus is accelerating validation and verification efforts across infotainment features, connectivity systems, ECU interactions, and automation coverage.

What will they be working on:

• Validation of Android-based IVI/HMI systems
• Manual and automated testing of infotainment features
• UI automation scripting using Python/Appium
• Connectivity validation (Bluetooth/WiFi)
• Bench-level and partial-system validation
• ECU/signal-level validation and troubleshooting
• Extending/modifying existing automation frameworks
• Working alongside developers and validation teams to execute existing test plans and build additional test coverage

What does their day to day look like:

• Executing manual and automated validation test cases
• Writing/modifying Python automation scripts
• Testing infotainment applications such as radio, phone, media, connectivity, etc.
• Performing bench testing on partial systems and ECUs
• Reviewing requirements and validating expected system behavior
• Debugging system/signal interactions
• Running validation scenarios independently using existing frameworks/tools
• Collaborating closely with developers and validation engineers onsite

What types of vehicles will they be working on:
Vehicle agnostic. Applied Intuition is not functioning as a traditional OEM in this environment. Candidates may be validating partial systems, ECUs, and infotainment modules rather than complete end-to-end production vehicles.

Must Have Skills:

• Automotive infotainment / IVI / HMI validation experience
• Android-based HMI systems
• Python scripting experience
• UI automation experience (Appium preferred)
• Validation engineering mindset vs pure QA testing
• Experience with manual bench testing
• Understanding of ECU/signal-level behavior
• Connectivity validation (Bluetooth/WiFi)
• Ability to work with partial systems/incomplete vehicle environments
• Automotive industry experience (OEM or Tier-1)

Desired Skills:

• ADB experience
• CAN/CAN bus familiarity
• Android Auto / Apple CarPlay exposure
• Experience extending existing automation frameworks
• Experience validating infotainment apps/features (radio, navigation, phone, media, HVAC controls, etc.)
• Prior startup or fast-paced engineering environment experience
• Strong troubleshooting/debugging mindset
• Prior embedded systems exposure
• Experience with automation frameworks and reusable test scripting.