Embedded Software Engineer

Job Title: System Triage Engineer (Autonomous Vehicles)Job Description

This role focuses on investigating autonomous vehicle events, analyzing system performance data, and identifying the root causes of unexpected behaviors observed during on-road testing.

The System Triage Engineer acts as a critical link between vehicle operations, test engineering, simulation, and software development teams, using data-driven analysis and structured defect management to continuously improve autonomous driving performance and software quality.

Responsibilities

• Analyze vehicle logs, video, LiDAR, radar, camera, and ROS data to investigate system anomalies, disengagements, and unexpected vehicle behaviors observed during on-road testing.
• Perform detailed root cause analysis to determine whether issues originate from perception, planning, mapping, controls, sensors, or software subsystems.
• Recreate real-world events in simulation environments and perform counterfactual analysis to validate hypotheses and confirm findings.
• Create clear, detailed Jira tickets that include thorough issue descriptions, reproduction steps, supporting evidence, screenshots, and relevant logs.
• Use robotic analysis tools, including Foxglove and related tooling, to capture issues from ROS topics and accurately document them in Jira.
• Generate metrics, dashboards, and trend reports that provide actionable insights into software quality, system performance, and recurring failure patterns.
• Collaborate closely with developers, test engineers, validation teams, and vehicle operations personnel to drive timely issue resolution and continuous improvement.
• Track and manage critical defects from discovery through resolution, supporting structured triage and defect management processes.
• Apply strong critical thinking and a forensic, investigative mindset to identify subtle issues, correlate data from multiple sources, and propose evidence-based conclusions.
• Contribute to the validation and testing of ADAS and autonomous driving features such as lane assist and drive assist by analyzing field data and test outcomes.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, Automotive Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 3–5 years of industry experience in testing, system triage, defect tracking, or impact analysis within ADAS, autonomous vehicles, robotics, vehicle testing, validation, or systems engineering.
• Hands-on experience with ADAS technologies and autonomous driving systems, including exposure to lane assist, drive assist, or self-driving platforms.
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills in complex, safety-critical systems.
• Experience using Jira or similar defect tracking and issue management tools, including creating detailed, well-documented tickets.
• Understanding of vehicle systems, sensors, and autonomous driving technologies, including cameras, LiDAR, radar, and ultrasonic sensors.
• Ability to analyze technical data from multiple sources and clearly communicate findings to cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills and a “detective” or forensic mindset when investigating system issues.
• Familiarity with ROS logs and analysis for diagnosing autonomous or robotic system behavior.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with ROS, autonomous driving platforms, or robotics systems in a development, testing, or triage capacity.
• Familiarity with LiDAR, radar, cameras, sensor fusion, and simulation tools used in autonomous vehicle development.
• Background in ADAS validation, vehicle integration, verification and validation (V&V), HIL testing, or autonomous system testing.
• Experience working with self-driving or advanced driver assistance system companies or programs.
• Experience using Foxglove or similar robotic analysis tools to visualize and interpret ROS topics and sensor data.
• Ability to create metrics, dashboards, and trend reports that summarize software quality and system performance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for documenting issues and collaborating with engineering and operations teams.

Work Environment

This is a fully remote position, providing flexibility in work location while collaborating with distributed engineering, testing, and operations teams. You will work extensively with digital tools such as Jira, ROS-based logging and analysis environments, simulation platforms, and robotic analysis tools like Foxglove.

The role involves regular interaction through online meetings, shared dashboards, and collaborative documentation, in a culture focused on continuous improvement, data-driven decision-making, and professional growth. The team is growing significantly, offering meaningful opportunities for upward mobility and career development.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Dallas, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $65.00/hr.

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market.

With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without

regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,

sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected

by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or

adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,

please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the

city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants

with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a

condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law

shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,

including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications

and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you

acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.