HIL Engineer

Title: HIL Engineer (Multiple openings)
Location: Palo Alto, CA – -5 days onsite (Local Only)
Duration: 6-12+ Months Contract
Interview Mode: Video
 
Job Description
wants them to have direct domain experience in one of the following.  That is where we have missed.  We are sending HIL Engineers but not with the direct domain experience
 
Low Voltage Systems (highest priority)
Body control
Power distribution (e.g., electronic fuses)
Motion Controls / Vehicle Dynamics
Thermal Systems
Zone Architecture environments
 
leading automotive engineering organization is expanding its Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) validation capability and is actively seeking experienced HIL Engineers to support the buildout of multiple new systems.
This role requires hands-on ownership of HIL environments, from initial setup through system integration and validation. The ideal candidate brings deep, practical experience and can immediately contribute in a fast-paced, highly technical environment.
This is not an entry-level or general test role—we are specifically looking for engineers who have built or stood up HIL systems from the ground up.
 
Key Responsibilities
Design, build, and deploy HIL systems from scratch
Translate system requirements into test plans and validation strategies
Perform electrical integration, including:
Wiring schematics
ECU I/O mapping
 
Configure and integrate vehicle communication interfaces:
CAN, LIN, Ethernet
Develop and maintain MATLAB / Simulink models
Execute test development, automation, and debugging
Support system-level validation and issue triage
Collaborate across systems, controls, and hardware teams
 
 
Required Qualifications (Must Have)
4–5+ years of HIL engineering experience
Demonstrated experience building or standing up a HIL system from scratch
Strong hands-on experience with:
 
dSPACE (required)
 
Experience working in system-level validation environments
Technical Environment
Core Tools
dSPACE (required)
Vector tools (CANoe, CANalyzer – preferred)
Modeling
MATLAB / Simulink
Interfaces
CAN
LIN
Ethernet
 
Preferred Experience Areas
Candidates may come from various domains, but strongest alignment includes:
Low Voltage Systems (high priority)
Body control
Power distribution (e.g., electronic fuses)
 
Vehicle Motion Controls / Dynamics
Thermal Systems
Zone Architecture
 
Additional Preferred Qualifications
Experience with vehicle diagnostics
Prior role/title as a HIL Engineer
Background in highly hands-on programs such as:
Automotive research or prototype programs
Competitive engineering teams (Formula SAE, etc.)
 
What Success Looks Like
Strong candidates can clearly explain:
A HIL system they have built or owned end-to-end
 
Including:
Requirements gathering
Test planning
Electrical integration (wiring, I/O mapping)
System architecture decisions
Modeling approach (MATLAB/Simulink)
Execution and validation strategy
Candidates lacking this depth of ownership will not be a fit.
 
Additional Details
High urgency—candidates must be able to ramp quickly
Opportunity to support multiple system builds with potential for ongoing work
Exposure to next-generation vehicle architectures and validation environments