Senior Test Engineer/Planner V

This is a project-based employee role supporting the initial development phase of our autonomous vehicle platforms. Development phases of this nature typically span up to project completion (typically 2–4 years), though scope and duration are driven by business needs.

JOB SUMMARY

The Test Engineer / Planner V serves as the technical authority responsible for defining validation strategies, test methodologies, and system readiness criteria for ASI's autonomous vehicle platforms. This role focuses on ensuring robotic systems meet performance, reliability, safety, and customer expectations through comprehensive test planning, execution oversight, and data-driven validation.

As a Level V engineer, this position leads test strategy across complex autonomous programs, establishes best practices for verification and validation activities, and provides technical direction to engineering teams. The role works closely with software, systems, mechatronics, product, and field teams to ensure testing approaches accurately represent real-world customer use cases and operating environments.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Define and lead system-level test strategies for autonomous vehicle platforms and robotic solutions
• Develop verification and validation plans that align with customer requirements, operational needs, and system capabilities
• Establish scalable testing methodologies across software, hardware, sensors, autonomy features, and full vehicle systems
• Lead planning and coordination of complex field testing campaigns, demonstrations, and customer acceptance testing activities
• Translate concepts of operation, system requirements, and customer workflows into measurable test objectives
• Drive improvements in test processes, automation frameworks, instrumentation strategies, and data collection methods
• Analyze system performance data to identify trends, risks, failure modes, and opportunities for improvement
• Lead root cause analysis efforts for complex system-level failures discovered during testing or deployment
• Provide technical guidance for simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, software-in-the-loop, and field validation activities
• Partner with engineering leadership to define system readiness criteria and release recommendations
• Mentor engineers and improve overall test engineering capabilities across teams
• Develop standards, processes, and best practices to improve validation efficiency and product reliability

ESSENTIAL EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE, JOB SKILLS

• Bachelor's degree in Robotics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or a related field
• 15+ years of experience in test engineering, systems validation, verification, or complex engineering environments
• Extensive experience developing validation strategies for complex hardware and software integrated systems
• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles, requirements management, and product development lifecycles
• Experience leading large-scale test programs from development through deployment
• Experience developing test plans, validation strategies, and acceptance criteria for real-world operating environments
• Strong understanding of data collection methods, test instrumentation, and data analysis techniques
• Ability to diagnose complex system behaviors and lead cross-functional troubleshooting efforts
• Experience providing technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to engineering teams
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present technical findings to engineering teams and leadership

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with autonomous vehicles, robotics platforms, or heavy equipment systems
• Experience developing validation strategies for safety-critical or mission-critical systems
• Experience supporting customer deployments and operational acceptance testing
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), software-in-the-loop (SIL), or simulation testing environments
• Familiarity with ROS/ROS2, embedded systems, sensors, GPS/GNSS, or autonomous architectures
• Experience with Python, C++, MATLAB, or similar tools for data analysis and automation
• Familiarity with requirements and issue tracking tools such as JAMA, Jira, or similar platforms

BENEFITS

ASI offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 401k with employer match
• Generous HSA contribution
• PTO, Paid Holidays, and Flextime
• ASI covers 90% of employee medical plan costs

EEO STATEMENT

At Autonomous Solutions, Inc. (ASI), we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where all employees and applicants have equal opportunities. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected characteristic. ASI complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding non-discrimination in employment and is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process.

Your employment with ASI will be "at-will," meaning that either you or ASI may terminate your employment at any time for any reason, with or without cause.