Lead Software Test Engineer - AV Safety (Embedded)

About Forterra

Forterra is a leading provider of autonomous systems for ground-based movement in the working world. Amongst some of the earliest innovators in the field of driverless technology, Forterra is focused on building systems that protect front-line soldiers and enable civilian workers in our industrial base. Forterra is the go-to provider of ground autonomy solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense, which harnesses the technology for asymmetric warfare in critical conditions.

About The Role

Forterra is seeking a self-motivated, highly skilled and detail-oriented Lead Software Test Engineer to plan, build, and execute verification and validation (V&V) for the embedded software that underpins the safe operation of our autonomous vehicle platform. You’ll own test strategy and automation across the lifecycle, ensuring requirements are testable, evidence is rigorous, and releases meet the bar for safety, reliability, and performance.  The ideal candidate will have a strong background in embedded systems testing, automation, and quality assurance methodologies.  This role involves designing and executing both manual and automated test strategies to ensure compliance, safety, and performance of embedded applications across various platforms.  Experience with functional safety standards (ISO 26262, IEC 61508, DO-178, or MIL-STD-882) is highly valued.

What You'll Do

• Own the V&V strategy for safety-critical embedded software, from kick off to qualification, Test Plan to Test Report, and every TRR and TIS in between. 
• Successfully lead small, embedded software test teams to meet customer requirements within allocated cost, scope, and schedule commitments.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineering team members, through 1:1s, code/test-plan reviews, and tailored development plans; set clear goals and feedback loops.
• Derive, implement, and automate test cases from system, software, and safety requirements; ensure full bidirectional traceability and clear pass/fail criteria.
• Create and maintain automated test frameworks for embedded systems validation including SIL/HIL test environments. 
• Perform robustness & fault-injection testing (e.g., timing/jitter, memory, comms errors, power/clock faults) including negative, boundary, and stress tests.
• Execute static and dynamic analysis as well as measure and enforce coverage targets. 
• Create and curate safety evidence: test plans/procedures, results, V&V and compliance matrices, anomalies/defects, tool qualification, and contributions to the safety case, aligned to applicable standards and safety goals.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with systems, software, and safety engineering to review designs for testability, refine requirements, and support audits/assessments.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in embedded systems testing
• Working knowledge of at least one language used in safety-critical development (C/C++) and proficiency in Python for test automation.
• Hands-on experience with requirements management and traceability (e.g., DOORS, Jama) and with SAFe/Agile/Scrum/Waterfall lifecycles.
• Experience testing on RTOS platforms (e.g., QNX) and with embedded targets, debuggers, and instrumentation.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills; comfortable isolating HW/SW/firmware issues in complex systems.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities and delivering crisp documentation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Practical knowledge of functional safety standards (ISO 26262, IEC 61508, DO-178, MIL-STD-882) and associated V&V/assessment activities.
• Familiarity with MISRA C/C++, static analysis tools, and code coverage methodologies (incl. branch and MC/DC).
• Tooling experience: Vector CANalyzer, Wireshark, GitLab CI, Git, CMake, Conan.
• Exposure to vehicle networks and diagnostics (CAN, CAN-FD, Ethernet, FlexRay, UDS/J1939) and to logging/trace tools.
• Understanding of autonomy-relevant domains (e.g., motion control, planning, perception) and how to validate them safely.
• Background integrating complex electro-mechanical systems (automotive, aerospace, medical, industrial).
• Familiarity with cybersecurity valida