Who we are

Aurora’s mission is to deliver the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly.

The Aurora Driver will create a new era in mobility and logistics, one that will bring a safer, more efficient, and more accessible future to everyone.

At Aurora, you will tackle massively complex problems alongside other passionate, intelligent individuals, growing as an expert while expanding your knowledge. For the latest news from Aurora, visit aurora.tech or follow us on LinkedIn.

Aurora hires talented people with diverse backgrounds who are ready to help build a transportation ecosystem that will make our roads safer, get crucial goods where they need to go, and make mobility more efficient and accessible for all. We’re searching for a Senior Staff Vehicle Hardware Verification and Validation Engineer Lead.

As the Senior Staff Vehicle Hardware Verification and Validation Lead, you will be responsible for defining, executing, and ensuring the technical integrity of all vehicle-level hardware testing. This crucial role involves orchestrating a comprehensive and intricate hardware test program, necessitating close collaboration with hardware, software, systems, and safety engineering teams. You will establish and enhance organizational standards for test execution and documentation. Furthermore, you will guide cross-functional engineering groups to guarantee the rigorous verification and validation of Aurora’s advanced hardware systems across all autonomous vehicle programs.

In this role you will

Strategy & Execution for Vehicle hardware V&V: Define, develop, and implement comprehensive test strategies and methodologies for autonomous hardware integrations and associated vehicle platform hardware, including design verification, system integration testing, and environmental verification. Work with internal resources and outside test facilities to execute vehicle level tests.
Technical Leadership: Act as the technical leader and subject matter expert for all vehicle level hardware V&V activities. You will be coordinating execution of vehicle level testing across all test owners of autonomous sub-systems and platform integrations including thermal management, drive-by-wire, power subsystems, and cleaning. You will align technical experts across these systems to execute on EMC, structural, and thermal testing. You will drive and set priority for critical root-cause analysis of complex system failures, ensuring robust corrective actions with cross-functional buy-in.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Establish and maintain high-impact working relationships with design, manufacturing, software, operations and safety teams to align on test requirements, schedules, and deliverables.
Data & Reporting: Oversee the standardization of data collection, analysis, and documentation of extensive vehicle level hardware tests. Create comprehensive technical reports and present clear, concise status updates and results to senior leadership.
Tools & Infrastructure: Drive the process of defining and improving internal software test tools for test case execution, data collection, and analysis. Support the development and/or selection of additional data collection hardware and software for test execution.

Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
Experience: 7+ years of progressive experience in hardware testing, verification, and validation, with at least 2 years in a technical leadership or lead role, within the automotive or aerospace industry. Experience in the Autonomous vehicle space would be advantageous.
Domain Expertise: Deep understanding of V&V processes, testing methodologies (e.g., statistical analysis, fault injection, hardware in the loop, RCCA process, hands on problem solving), and the development lifecycle for safety-critical hardware systems.
Technical Skills: Experience with utilizing test automation tools, and can speak to the challenges of working with software development teams to define and deliver relevant software test tools for hardware functional verification.
Experience with sensing and data collection. E.g. accelerometers, strain gauges, force transducers, fleet ops, data logging equipment and signal conditioning
Working knowledge of systems engineering practices and methodologies
Use of engineering programs for requirement management and work tracking (JAMA, JIRA)
Working experience with the latest automotive communication protocols
Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for presenting complex technical information to diverse audiences..

Desirable Qualifications

Experience with vehicle durability testing
Experience with hardware module testing
Experience with hardware reliability
Proficiency in programming for test automation (e.g., Python, C++)

The base salary range for this position is $189,000 - $274,000 per year. Aurora’s pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, the successful candidate’s starting base pay will be determined based on factors including job-related skills, experience, qualifications, relevant education or training, and market conditions. These ranges may be modified in the future. The successful candidate will also be eligible for an annual bonus, equity compensation, and benefits.

#Mid-Senior

Working at Aurora
At Aurora, we bring together extraordinarily talented and experienced people united by the strength of our values. We operate with integrity, set outrageous goals, and build a culture where we win together — all without any jerks.

We believe in-person work increases collaboration, empathy and our ability to lead effectively. As a result, we operate in a hybrid work environment where Aurorans are in office at least 3 days per week.

Our Careers page provides insight into what it is like to work at Aurora, and you can find all the latest updates in our Newsroom.

Our commitment to safety

At the core of everything we do is our commitment to safety. Building best-in-class self-driving technology will take time, and we believe that each employee at Aurora has a role in contributing to safety, every step of the way. Aurora expects commitment to our safety policies from every employee, and seeks candidates who take an active responsibility, can contribute to building an atmosphere of trust, and invest in the organization’s long-term success by prioritizing working safely, no matter what.

Our commitment to inclusion

Aurora considers candidates without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy status, parent or caregiver status, ancestry, political affiliation, veteran and/or military status, physical or mental disability, or any other status protected by federal or state law. Aurora considers qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at careersiteaccommodations@aurora.tech.

For California applicants, information collected and processed as part of your application and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Aurora’s California Employment Privacy Policy.