Sr Engineer, HIL Design, Hardware Integration & Test Automation

We are CARIAD, an automotive software development team with the Volkswagen Group. Our mission is to make the automotive experience safer, more sustainable, more comfortable, more digital, and more fun. To achieve that we are building the leading tech stack for the automotive industry and creating a unified software platform for over 10 million new vehicles per year. We’re looking for talented, digital minds like you to help us create code that moves the world. Together with you, we’ll build outstanding digital experiences and products for all Volkswagen Group brands that will transform mobility. Join us as we shape the future of the car and everyone around it.

​Role Summary:

​The Senior Engineer, HIL Design, Hardware Integration & Test Automation is responsible for the hardware-oriented design and bring-up of HIL benches, integration benches, harnesses, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and lab automation used to validate CARIAD hardware platforms. This is a hands-on senior engineering role requiring extensive experience in HIL design, embedded hardware, wire harnesses, and system integration. The role defines HIL architecture, creates and reviews harness and interface documentation, leads hardware bring-up and debug activities, and drives repeatable test execution from requirements and ICDs through lab evidence. The Senior Engineer also leads the hardware side of an AI-enabled integration lab, including the roadmap and implementation of AI-agent-based workflows, MCP servers, equipment interfaces, automated evidence capture, and test orchestration for hardware validation.

Role Responsibilities:

HIL Design, Hardware Integration & Bring-Up

• Own HIL design for embedded automotive hardware platforms, including architecture, I/O mapping, signal conditioning, fault insertion, load/sensor simulation, safety interlocks, instrumentation, and bench readiness criteria.
• Design, bring up, and maintain HIL benches, integration benches, breakout boxes, load boxes, fixtures, harnesses, and lab stations used for HW/SW integration and validation.
• Lead board, ECU, and system bring-up across prototypes and revisions, including power, reset, clock, boot, flashing, communications, peripheral interfaces, and diagnostics.
• Define bring-up plans, HIL readiness checklists, configuration baselines, and repeatable test setup documentation for lab execution.
• Debug complex hardware/software interface issues using schematics, ICDs, harness drawings, logs, instruments, and controlled reproduction steps.

Wire Harness, ICD & Test Infrastructure Ownership

• Create, review, and maintain harness drawings, pinouts, connector definitions, cable assemblies, and lab wiring documentation required for integration and HIL execution.
• Own Interface Control Documents (ICDs) for bench and system interfaces, including electrical definitions, signals, protocols, timing, diagnostics, power states, and test coverage mapping.
• Translate requirements, ICDs, schematics, and supplier documentation into HIL test coverage, test procedures, hardware fixture needs, and automation requirements.
• Establish configuration control for benches, harnesses, firmware/images, flashing steps, lab equipment, scripts, and test artifacts.
• Support DV/PV, EMC/ENV, manufacturing, and end-of-line readiness by ensuring the lab infrastructure can reproduce failures and verify corrective actions.

AI-Enabled Hardware Lab & MCP Server Roadmap

• Lead the hardware-side roadmap for an AI-enabled HW integration lab, including target workflows, tool interfaces, data sources, rollout plan, and measurable execution benefits.
• Define and implement MCP servers, APIs, or comparable tool interfaces for hardware testing, lab equipment control, bench state, test orchestration, artifact retrieval, and AI-agent operation.
• Develop AI-agent-based HW testing workflows for setup verification, instrumentation control, automated test execution, log capture, failure triage, evidence packaging, and status/report generation.
• Partner with software, automation, IT, and validation teams to integrate AI agents with lab equipment, HIL frameworks, Jira, requirements repositories, SharePoint evidence, and test reporting tools.
• Ensure AI-based lab workflows remain traceable, reviewable, safe for lab use, and aligned with engineering judgment and validation evidence requirements.

Cross-Functional Debug, Supplier Coordination & Validation Readiness

• Serve as escalation point for complex integration failures and drive structured triage across hardware, software, systems, validation, manufacturing, and supplier teams.
• Coordinate supplier and internal deliverables for HIL equipment, harnesses, interface issues, board revisions, bench blockers, and corrective actions.
• Communicate status, blockers, risks, recovery plans, and decision needs with clear evidence and recommended next steps.
• Document issues, debug findings, configurations, test evidence, and closure rationale in a structured and traceable manner.

​General Skills:

• Structured problem solving and disciplined hardware debug
• Clear written and verbal communication with data-backed recommendations
• Cross-functional leadership across hardware, software, systems, validation, manufacturing, and suppliers
• Ownership of documentation, issue tracking, action follow-through, and risk escalation
• Ability to operate with urgency in a hands-on prototype lab environment
• Ability to convert ambiguous lab problems into plans, owners, evidence, and closure criteria
• Process-oriented execution in complex, high-reliability systems programs

​Required Specialized Skills:​

• Hands-on HIL design for embedded ECUs or comparable high-reliability systems, including architecture, signal/I/O mapping, fault insertion, load/sensor simulation, safety interlocks, and bring-up.
• Embedded hardware integration and bring-up across power, reset, clock, boot, peripherals, firmware, BSP, drivers, test infrastructure, and HW/SW issue isolation.
• Wire harness and ICD ownership, including connector/pinout definition, signal routing, shielding/grounding, continuity checks, electrical interfaces, protocols, timing, diagnostics, and test coverage.
• Ability to interpret schematics, datasheets, PCB/connector documentation, debug reports, and supplier deliverables to define coverage and resolve integration issues.
• HIL bench and test fixture design/documentation, including benches, breakout/load boxes, fixtures, cable assemblies, configurations, and readiness checklists.
• Strong lab instrumentation and interface knowledge, including scopes, meters, power supplies, loads, logic analyzers, CAN/Ethernet/serial tools, JTAG, CAN, LIN, Ethernet, USB, UART, SPI, I2C, GPIO, analog/digital I/O, power/wake lines, and diagnostics.
• Python automation for instrument control, data capture, sequencing, log parsing, evidence collection, and repeatable execution.
• Structured debug and AI-enabled lab automation, including MCP servers/APIs or comparable interfaces for equipment control, orchestration, artifact retrieval, triage, and traceable closure.
• Ability to work onsite with prototypes, harnesses, fixtures, benches, suppliers, and cross-functional engineering teams.

​Desired Skills:

• Automotive ECU experience, including telematics, connectivity, infotainment, zonal controllers, high-performance compute platforms, or similar embedded hardware.
• Commercial or custom HIL platform experience, such as dSPACE, NI/VeriStand, Vector, ETAS, Speedgoat, Keysight, or Python-based frameworks.
• Experience with Linux, Android, QNX, Yocto, adb/serial console, flashing, bootloaders, diagnostics, manufacturing/EOL tooling, DV/PV, EMC/ENV, validation, or supplier issue support.
• AI-agent lab workflow or AI roadmap experience, including setup checks, instrumentation control, failure clustering, evidence/report generation, tool interfaces, data architecture, governance, and rollout metrics.
• Familiarity with systems, requirements, verification, safety, cybersecurity, or automotive process standards such as ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288/29148, IEEE 1012, ASPICE, ISO 26262, ISO/SAE 21434, DO-254, DO-178C, or SAE ARP4754A/B.

​Workplace Flexibility:

• Onsite lab work is required. This role requires daily hands-on work with HIL benches, prototypes, harnesses, cable assemblies, fixtures, power supplies, instruments, and debug equipment.
• Must be comfortable working directly with prototype hardware, lab wiring, bench configuration changes, and controlled hardware test execution.
• Limited travel may be required for supplier support, build support, external test labs, or equipment/vendor reviews.

​Years of Relevant Experience:

• ​6+ years of relevant experience in HIL design, embedded hardware bring-up, wire harness / interface documentation, system integration, hardware validation, lab automation, or debug of automotive or comparable high-reliability embedded platforms

​Required Education:

• ​Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechatronics, or related technical discipline

​Desired Education: 

• ​Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechatronics, or related discipline

Compensation

Salary range is dependent on factors such as geographical differentials, credentials or certifications, industry-based experience, qualification and training. In the city of Mountain View, CA, the salary range for this position is $171,495.00 - $215,785.00. 

CARIAD, Inc. provides performance based merits and annual bonus along with a competitive benefits package. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401k with employer match and defined contribution plan, short and long term disability, basic life and AD&D insurance, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment plans, maternity and non-primary caregiver leave, adoption assistance, employee referral program and vacation and paid holidays. We also offer a unique vehicle lease program that covers registration and insurance fees. 

CARIAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, color, gender identity/expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws. 

Employment with Cariad Inc. is contingent upon the successful completion of this screening process. We emphasize the importance of compliance with export control and sanctions laws as a fundamental aspect of our operations. Our company is dedicated to adhering to these regulations to ensure the lawful and ethical conduct of our business activities. Employment with our company is contingent on either verifying U.S. citizenship or U.S. lawful permanent resident status or obtaining any necessary license or confirming the availability of an applicable exemption or license exception. You, the applicant, will be required to answer certain questions for export control purposes, and that information will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law. Cariad Inc. may choose not to apply for a license or use an applicable license exception (if available) for such individuals whose access to export-controlled technology or software source code may require authorization and may decline to proceed with an applicant on that basis alone.

 By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree to participate in the export control and sanctions compliance screening process. Your cooperation in this matter is essential to our shared success and the integrity of our operations. Thank you for your understanding and commitment to upholding these important standards.