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Autonomous Vehicle Test Engineer

About the Role

Join TRC Inc. as part of our dedicated engineering team embedded on-site with a leading autonomous vehicle developer. As an AV Test Engineer, you will shape the future of mobility by evaluating prototype autonomous systems from end to end. Rather than passive mileage collection, our mission is focused on intentional edge-case discovery, extreme limit testing, and fault injection validation across physical vehicles, closed-course proving grounds, and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test benches before software and hardware configurations reach public roads.

The Top 3 Qualities We Look For

- Systematic Problem Solver: You approach anomalies methodically, isolating issues layer by layer across physical wiring, power, communication buses, firmware, and software stacks. You focus on preserving data, reading fault codes, and identifying the true root cause rather than just treating symptoms.
- Data-Driven Automator: You believe test execution is only half the job; the other half is understanding system response. You leverage Python scripting and data parsing to turn raw vehicle telemetry into meaningful insights, automated test scripts, and repeatable validation pipelines.
- Safety-Minded Team Player: You bring an uncompromising commitment to testing safety, thrive when solving ambiguous problems, and communicate technical findings clearly and objectively across diverse cross-functional teams.

What You Will Do

- Design and Author Tests: Translate high-level system requirements into robust Design Verification Plans (DVPs) with clear parameters, boundary controls, and pass/fail criteria.
- Lead Multi-Environment Testing: Execute testing across closed-course tracks, physical prototype vehicles, and HIL test benches, collaborating closely with track dispatch, test conductors, and safety drivers.
- Manage Operational Test Modes: Guide vehicles safely through testing stages, from manual baseline runs (Mode 1) to supervised autonomous runs (Mode 2) and fully autonomous, high-intensity limit / fault injection testing (Mode 3).
- Integrate and Triage Vehicle Systems: Diagnose bus communication drops, firmware mismatches, and hardware anomalies using standard diagnostic protocols (UDS, DoIP) and lab equipment.
- Build Automation and Analytics: Write reusable Python scripts to parse time-series logs, automate track scenarios, and build visual dashboards (such as Webviz or Jupyter notebooks) that streamline test reporting.
- Collaborate and Report: Track defects and systemic behavior in issue tracking systems (such as Jira), avoiding subjective terminology in favor of data-backed, objective failure modes.

Where You Can Make an Impact

Test Engineers share a common core foundation and are matched with specialized workstreams based on interest and expertise:
- Vehicle Platform Integration: Testing physical and simulated interaction between the autonomous driving system and the base vehicle chassis.
- Sensing & Perception: Validating LiDAR, Radar, and camera performance across extreme environments, adverse weather, and occluded target scenarios.
- Bring-Up & Flashing Operations: Standing up newly delivered prototype vehicles, managing flashing pipelines, and resolving base firmware mismatches.
- Motion Control & Dynamics Simulation: Evaluating steering precision, lateral and longitudinal controls, and tire hydroplaning dynamics.
- Commercialization & Offboard Operations: Validating driverless cabin comfort, thermal controls, low-power sleep modes, and Over-the-Air (OTA) fleet updates.
- Structured Scenario Testing & Benchmarking: Designing high-fidelity track scenarios (soft targets, dummy pedestrian interactions, and multi-vehicle choreography) while executing competitor benchmarking campaigns to evaluate autonomous decision-making and safety margins against industry standards.
- Proving Ground V&V: Running complex track campaigns, mileage accumulation, and real-time field troubleshooting.
- Hardware Systems & Architecture: Executing systemic defect triage, persistent diagnostic testing, and cybersecurity validation.

Core Qualifications:

- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Systems, Computer Engineering or Computer Science, Robotics, or a related discipline. New college graduates and experienced engineers alike are encouraged to apply.
- Mindset: Strong understanding of systems engineering, requirements decomposition, and structured verification methods.
- Driving Credentials: Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record, plus the ability to pass internal closed-course safety driver training (L1/L2 certifications).
- On-Site Collaboration: Ability to be on-site during core operational hours (9:30 AM to 2:30 PM) alongside vehicles, test benches, and track personnel.

Technical Toolkit:

Required Core Skills:

- Working knowledge or proficiency in Python (NumPy, Pandas, Pytest) for test automation, data analysis, and log parsing.
- Familiarity with in-vehicle networking (CAN, CAN-FD, Automotive Ethernet) and diagnostics (UDS, DoIP).
- Hands-on experience with lab instrumentation (multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, breakout harnesses) gained through industry work, coursework, or academic lab projects.
- Comfort working in Linux environments, using Git version control, and managing tasks in Jira or equivalent tracking tools.

Preferred Domain Experience (Any of the following is a plus):

- Hands-on involvement in collegiate engineering design teams (such as Formula SAE, Baja SAE, RoboMaster, or Autonomous Vehicle clubs) or engineering internships.
- Exposure to HIL and simulation platforms: dSPACE, Vector VT, MATLAB/Simulink, or CAPL.
- Familiarity with bus analysis tools: Vector CANoe, CANape, CANalyzer, or Dewesoft DAQ.
- High-accuracy GPS/INS systems (e.g., OxTS, NovAtel) or track target systems (e.g., pedestrian target platforms, soft targets).
- Exposure to vehicle telematics, OTA update frameworks, or thermal/power management testing.
- Familiarity with ECU flashing pipelines, bootloaders, or flash toolchains.
- Exposure to robotics and perception frameworks: ROS / ROS 2, OpenCV, or sensor calibration toolsets.
- Interest or experience in vehicle dynamics testing: automated steering robots, load cells, or outriggers.

Working Environment & Expectations

- Setting: A mix of offices, engineering garages, labs, and proving ground test tracks.
- Field Work: Occasional work outdoors in Arizona weather conditions, including summer heat and direct sun, with appropriate safety protocols in place.
- Mobility: Physical ability to position yourself comfortably in vehicle cabins and around sensor mounts when setting up instrumentation.
- Travel & Schedule: Schedule flexibility to support critical milestone releases, with travel up to 20% to partner test sites as needed.