Verification & Validation (V&V) Engineer – HIL, Simulation & Autonomy Validation

<h3><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Who we are</span></h3> <p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Gatik, the leader in autonomous middle-mile logistics, is revolutionizing the B2B supply chain with its autonomous transportation-as-a-service (ATaaS) solution and prioritizing safe, consistent deliveries while streamlining freight movement by reducing congestion. The company focuses on short-haul, B2B logistics for Fortune 500 retailers and in 2021 launched the world’s first fully driverless commercial transportation service with Walmart. Gatik's Class 3-7 autonomous trucks are commercially deployed across major markets, including Texas, Arkansas, and Ontario, Canada, driving innovation in freight transportation.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">The company's proprietary Level 4 autonomous technology, Gatik Carrier™, is custom-built to transport freight safely and efficiently between pick-up and drop-off locations on the middle mile. With robust capabilities in both highway and urban environments, Gatik Carrier™ serves as an all-encompassing solution that integrates advanced software and hardware powering the fleet, facilitating effortless integration into customers' logistics operations.&nbsp;</span></p> <h3><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">About the role</span></h3> <div> <p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">The Verification &amp; Validation (V&amp;V) Engineer is responsible for validating autonomous driving software using Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), simulation environments, replay frameworks, map validation platforms, and internal testing tools. This role focuses on verifying software quality, system performance, and release readiness prior to vehicle deployment.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">The ideal candidate will work closely with autonomy, mapping, infrastructure, and tool development teams to execute validation plans, analyze results, identify issues, and provide data-driven recommendations for software releases.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">This role is onsite 5 days a week at our Mountain View, CA or Fort Worth, TX office!</span></p> </div> <h3><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">What you'll do</span></h3> <h3><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Verification &amp; Validation</span></h3> <ul> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Develop and execute test plans for autonomy software, vehicle systems, and new feature releases.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Perform functional, integration, regression, and release validation testing.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Verify system behavior across perception, localization, planning, controls, and mapping functions.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Support requirements-based verification and release sign-off activities.</span></li> </ul> <h3><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">HIL &amp; Simulation Testing</span></h3> <ul> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Execute validation activities using HIL, SIL, simulation, replay, and scenario-based testing environments.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Collaborate with tool owners and infrastructure teams to understand and effectively utilize validation platforms.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Develop and maintain test scenarios within existing validation frameworks.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Evaluate autonomy performance across nominal, edge-case, and safety-critical scenarios.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Support automation and continuous validation efforts where applicable.</span></li> </ul> <h3><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Map &amp; Route Validation</span></h3> <ul> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Validate map releases, route configurations, lane connectivity, speed zones, stop controls, and operational routes.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Verify map fixes and updates before deployment.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Investigate map-related issues impacting autonomy performance and operational behavior.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Work with mapping teams to ensure map quality and deployment readiness.</span></li> </ul> <h3><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Data Analysis &amp; Issue Investigation</span></h3> <ul> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Analyze vehicle logs, replay results, simulation outputs, and validation data.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Investigate software defects, autonomy performance issues, disengagements, and unexpected vehicle behaviors.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Perform root cause analysis and provide detailed findings to engineering teams.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Validate software fixes through targeted testing and regression assessments.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Track validation metrics and support release readiness decisions using data-driven analysis.</span></li> </ul> <h3><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Cross-Functional Collaboration</span></h3> <ul> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Partner with Autonomy, Mapping, Systems, Safety, Software, and Infrastructure teams.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Participate in feature reviews, release reviews, and validation planning activities.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Communicate validation findings, risks, and recommendations to stakeholders.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Support continuous improvement of validation methodologies and testing processes.</span></li> </ul> <h3><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Documentation &amp; Reporting</span></h3> <ul> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Create and maintain test plans, test procedures, validation reports, and release summaries.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Document issues, test results, and verification evidence.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Support release sign-off activities through comprehensive validation reporting.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Maintain traceability between requirements, test cases, and validation results.</span></li> </ul> <h3><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">What we're looking for</span></h3> <ul> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, Automotive Engineering, or a related technical field.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Experience in Verification &amp; Validation, ADAS, autonomous vehicles, robotics, or automotive systems.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Understanding of HIL, simulation, replay, or system-level testing methodologies.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Experience executing structured test plans and analyzing results.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Excellent written and verbal communication skills.</span></li> </ul> <h3><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Preferred Qualifications</span></h3> <ul> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Experience with autonomous vehicle software validation.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Experience with HIL, simulation, replay, and map validation tools.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Familiarity with vehicle sensors, autonomy software, and fleet operations.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Experience with log analysis, Python, SQL, Grafana, Foxglove, or similar data analysis tools.</span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Experience working with cross-functional engineering teams.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Salary Range - $160,000- $220,000</span></p> <h3><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">More about Gatik</span></h3> <p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Founded in 2017 by experts in autonomous vehicle technology, Gatik has rapidly expanded its presence to Mountain View, Dallas-Fort Worth, Arkansas, and Toronto. As the <em>first and only</em> company to achieve fully driverless middle-mile commercial deliveries, Gatik holds a unique and defensible position in the AV industry, with a clear trajectory toward sustainable growth and profitability.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">We have delivered complete, proprietary AV technology - an integration of software and hardware - to enable earlier successes for our clients in constrained Level 4 autonomy.&nbsp; By choosing the middle mile – with defined point-to-point delivery, we have simplified some of the more complex AV challenges, enabling us to achieve full autonomy ahead of competitors. Given extensive knowledge of Gatik’s well-defined, fixed route ODDs and hybrid architecture, we are able to hyper-optimize our models with exponentially less data, establish gate-keeping mechanisms to maintain explainability, and ensure continued safety of the system for unmanned operations.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Visit us at <a href="http://gatik.ai/">Gatik</a> for more company information and <a href="https://gatik.ai/careers/">Careers at Gatik</a> for more open roles.</span></p> <h3><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Notable News</span></h3> <ul> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Forbes: <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2023/09/05/forget-robotaxis-upstart-gatik-sees-middle-mile-deliveries-as-the-path-to-profitable-avs/?sh=52b7a7866e61">Forget robotaxis. Upstart Gatik sees middle-mile deliveries as the path to profitable AVs</a></span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Tech Brew: <a href="https://www.emergingtechbrew.com/stories/2024/09/06/gatik-ai-richard-steiner-regulations-av-industry">Gatik AI exec unpacks the regulations that could shape the AV industry</a></span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Business Wire: <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241008155613/en/Gatik-Paves-the-Way-for-Safe-Driverless-Operations-%E2%80%98Freight-Only%E2%80%99-at-Scale-with-Industry-First-Third-Party-Safety-Assessment-Framework">Gatik Paves the Way for Safe Driverless Operations (‘Freight-Only’) at Scale with Industry-First Third-Party Safety Assessment Framework</a></span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Auto Futures: <a href="https://www.autofutures.tv/news-features/autonomous-trucking-group-gatik-secures-investment-from-nippon-express-holdings/s/e125e5df-220b-42b6-b2df-754f54d602a9">Autonomous Trucking Group Gatik Secures Investment From NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS</a></span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Automotive News: <a href="https://www.autonews.com/mobility-report/gatik-prepares-launch-self-driving-trucks-scale">Gatik foresees hundreds of self-driving trucks on road soon, and that's just the beginning</a></span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Forbes: <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardbishop1/2024/05/30/isuzu-and-gatik-go-all-in-to-scale-up-driverless-freight-services/">Isuzu And Gatik Go All In To Scale Up Driverless Freight Services</a></span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Bloomberg: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-05-24/autonomous-vehicle-startup-takes-off-by-picking-off-easier-routes">Autonomous Vehicle Startup Takes Off by Picking Off Easier Routes</a></span></li> <li style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Reuters: <a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/driverless-vehicles-limited-routes-bump-along-despite-us-robotaxi-scrutiny-2023-12-13/">Driverless vehicles on limited routes bump along despite US robotaxi scrutiny</a></span></li> </ul> <h3><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Taking care of our team</span></h3> <p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">At Gatik, we connect people of extraordinary talent and experience to an opportunity to create a more resilient supply chain and contribute to our environment’s sustainability. We are diverse in our backgrounds and perspectives yet united by a bold vision and shared commitment to our values. Our culture emphasizes the importance of collaboration, respect and agility.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">We at Gatik strive to create a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone feels they have opportunities to succeed and grow because we know that together we can do great things. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse team. We do not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status or any legally protected status.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>