Firmware Validation Test Engineer

Location: Foster City, CA
Work Arrangement: Onsite
Employment Type: W2 Contract
Experience: 8+ Years

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Firmware Validation Test Engineer to perform hands-on validation of embedded firmware, audio, and streaming features. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in test case development, connectivity validation, Python scripting, log analysis, and root-cause investigation across lab and in-vehicle environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute functional, integration, regression, and exploratory testing for audio and streaming features on test benches and in vehicles.

• Develop and maintain test plans, test cases, test suites, and validation documentation.

• Identify coverage gaps and expand test scenarios to improve feature validation.

• Reproduce defects, analyze logs, and isolate root causes before coordinating with firmware engineering teams.

• Perform first-level triage of production and fleet-reported issues, reproducing problems in the lab and driving them toward resolution.

• Analyze diagnostic data using Wireshark, DLT, ADB, Bluetooth HCI traces, and vehicle logs.

• Manage defects throughout their lifecycle using JIRA, including reproduction steps, logs, severity assessment, fix verification, and regression testing.

• Maintain test benches, in-vehicle testing rigs, and diagnostic setups.

• Collaborate with firmware engineers, product managers, and integration teams to support release readiness.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of hands-on experience in firmware validation, embedded QA, or embedded product testing.

• Strong experience creating and executing test plans, test cases, and regression suites.

• Hands-on validation experience in at least one connectivity domain: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE/5G, GNSS, or vehicle networking.

• Strong debugging and root-cause analysis skills.

• Experience with Wireshark, DLT, ADB, Bluetooth HCI traces, or similar diagnostic tools.

• Experience reproducing and troubleshooting field-reported or production issues.

• Mandatory Python scripting skills for test automation, repetitive checks, and log parsing.

• Comfortable working in Linux/Ubuntu environments.

• Experience with JIRA, Confluence, defect tracking, and Agile release cycles.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with automotive infotainment, in-cabin entertainment, audio, or media streaming.

• Bluetooth stack validation, including pairing, A2DP, HFP, AVRCP, and interoperability testing.

• Wireless connectivity testing experience.

• Exposure to autonomous vehicles, robotaxis, or fleet testing environments.

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field.

Visa and Employment Requirements

ANY VISA ACCEPTED, provided the candidate is legally authorized and eligible to work on W2 employment.

W2 candidates only. No C2C.

Candidates must be willing to work onsite in Foster City, CA.