About the roleBefore autonomous trucks operate on public roads without a driver, their performance must be physically validated in controlled, repeatable environments. The Senior V&V Engineer - Closed Course will lead the design, orchestration, and execution of rigorous physical test scenarios on proving grounds. You will push Gatik's commercial vehicles to their operational and physical limits using robotic targets, weather simulation setups, and controlled fault-injection techniques to validate system safety requirements.
This role is onsite 5 days a week at our Santa Clara, CA office!
What you'll doKey Responsibilities- Track Test Execution: Plan and execute closed-course test programs for new software features, hardware platforms, and safety-critical fallback maneuvers on commercial trucks. Own the process end to end.
- Robotic Equipment & Soft Targets: Setup and operate state-of-the-art proving ground equipment.
- Ensuring Testing Coverage: Ensure that V&V plans are developed and executed, providing triaging feedback to relevant stakeholders and tracking issues to conclusion.
- Data Collection & Log Analysis: Analyze high-precision vehicle dynamics data, IMU outputs, CAN logs, and autonomy telemetry using Python/MATLAB to evaluate dynamic performance.
- Test Site Safety Protocols: Enforce strict track safety procedures, risk assessments, and emergency intervention protocols for all track personnel and test drivers.
Minimum Qualifications- Education: B.S. in Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Systems Engineering.
- Experience: 5+ years executing vehicle-level closed-course testing on proving grounds for AVs, ADAS, or automotive OEMs.
- Practical Skills:
- Direct experience operating soft-target robotic platforms.
- Proficiency in automotive data acquisition tools (CANoe, CANape, Dewesoft, Wireshark).
- Strong Python scripting capabilities for log parsing and test metrics generation.
- Safety Rigor: Demonstrated adherence to proving ground safety regulations and risk mitigation practices.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience testing commercial trucks or heavy machinery.
- Knowledge of ISO 26262 track validation and UNECE / NCAP active safety test protocols.
Salary Range - $160,000- $260,000
