Software Validation Engineer

Job Title: Software Validation Engineer Job Description
The Software Validation Engineer provides computer and software engineering support for light-duty conventional and electrified powertrain calibration, development, durability testing, and field-issue resolution. In this role, you coordinate vehicle preparation, test execution, technical analysis, and reporting to ensure engine and transmission performance, emissions compliance, OBD functionality, drivability, software and hardware validation, and overall vehicle robustness. You work closely with a large cross-functional powertrain support team, software engineering groups, emissions laboratories, workshops, test drivers, suppliers, and global engineering partners to deliver timely, high-quality test results and effective technical solutions.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate and execute powertrain durability testing activities for development vehicles in the United States, ensuring timely, high-quality test results and maintaining vehicle test readiness.
- Prepare durability test vehicles by confirming that required software, calibrations, hardware, instrumentation, and vehicle configurations are correctly installed before testing.
- Align with calibration, development, workshop, diagnostics, and test-fleet teams regarding vehicle updates, maintenance, repairs, parts, and test prerequisites.
- Perform or coordinate pre-test performance and functionality checks, including review of diagnostic data, fault memory, readiness, drivability, and overall vehicle condition.
- Maintain clear visibility of vehicle availability, open technical topics, planned updates, and test readiness risks.
- Coordinate day-to-day mileage accumulation and durability testing in line with defined driving profiles, test locations, maintenance schedules, and program requirements.
- Monitor test progress, vehicle usage, driver feedback, downtime, and deviations from the approved test plan, taking action to keep activities on track.
- Collaborate with internal teams and external service providers to support efficient test execution, appropriate vehicle handling, and timely completion of assigned activities.
- Escalate technical or operational risks that may affect test quality, vehicle safety, schedule, or data integrity.
- Coordinate emissions laboratory scheduling, vehicle delivery, test configuration, and receipt of test results.
- Review emissions and OBD test results for completeness and plausibility, identify irregularities, and coordinate follow-up testing when required.
- Support investigation and resolution of powertrain, emissions, OBD, drivability, engine, transmission, and electrified powertrain issues identified during durability testing.
- Collaborate with calibration and component experts to define measurement requirements and confirm appropriate test conditions.
- Monitor the technical status of assigned vehicles using driver reports, diagnostic tools, measurement data, workshop findings, and test results.
- Perform first-level technical analysis and support detailed root cause analysis using structured problem-solving methods, coordinating and verifying countermeasures with responsible engineering teams.
- Coordinate repair activities, parts availability, workshop support, software updates, and effectiveness checks to return vehicles to testing promptly.
- Document issue history, analysis, decisions, countermeasures, and validation results in a clear, traceable manner.
- Maintain accurate technical and administrative status information in required reports, trackers, and databases.
- Prepare concise weekly status updates for stakeholders, including test progress, open issues, vehicle downtime, decisions, risks, and next steps.
- Support tracking of key performance indicators such as test progress, vehicle availability, issue closure, downtime, and planned versus actual activities.
- Participate in internal and global status meetings and communicate effectively with engineering partners across functions and regions.
- Author clear technical reports and presentations for a broad, global audience.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of durability testing, vehicle preparation, issue management, reporting, and cross-functional coordination processes.
- Support consistent work quality from internal and external partners by clarifying requirements, reviewing deliverables, and identifying process gaps.
- Contribute to process documentation, corrective actions, lessons learned, audits, and implementation of future test requirements.
- Promote safe vehicle operation, high-quality data, efficient use of test assets, and compliance with applicable internal procedures.
Essential Skills
- Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Automotive Engineering, or a related engineering field.
- Minimum of 2 years of experience with light-duty engine or powertrain development, including areas such as combustion, emissions control, OBD, drivability, calibration, or durability testing.
- Experience working with light-duty engine control units; experience with Bosch control units is strongly preferred.
- Working understanding of light-duty emissions and OBD regulations and their application to vehicle development and testing.
- Proficiency with powertrain development and data-analysis tools such as ETAS INCA and MATLAB/Simulink.
- Ability to interpret diagnostic information, measurement data, test results, and vehicle fault reports.
- Ability to conduct structured root cause analysis, develop technical countermeasures, and verify the effectiveness of implemented solutions.
- Strong organization and project coordination skills, including the ability to manage multiple vehicles, priorities, stakeholders, and deadlines.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare concise technical reports and presentations for a global audience.
- Ability to work effectively in a large, cross-functional, and intercultural organization.
- Knowledge of vehicle architecture, CAN bus systems, ECU communication, powertrain and drivetrain systems, and vehicle diagnostic processes.
- Experience with diagnostic and measurement tools such as Monaco or comparable applications in addition to INCA.
- Experience coordinating emissions laboratory testing, workshops, test drivers, suppliers, or external service providers.
- Experience with technical status reporting, KPI tracking, risk identification, and process improvement.
- Hands-on experience with powertrain, software validation, software quality assurance, emissions testing, OBD, and vehicle software validation for powertrain systems.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Familiarity with conventional, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric powertrain systems.
- Experience with durability fleets, mileage accumulation, proving-ground testing, public-road testing, and development vehicle operations.
- Comfort working with global engineering partners and cross-functional teams across different regions.
- Ability to collaborate closely with calibration engineers, component experts, workshops, test drivers, and suppliers.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality data and robust validation processes.
- Experience contributing to process documentation, lessons learned, audits, and implementation of future test requirements.
Work Environment
This role operates in a dynamic, engineering-focused environment that combines office-based analysis with hands-on work around development vehicles, workshops, emissions laboratories, and test locations such as proving grounds and public roads. You regularly use advanced diagnostic and measurement tools, including ETAS INCA, MATLAB/Simulink, Monaco, and other powertrain development applications, to monitor vehicle status, analyze data, and validate software and hardware performance. The position involves coordinating activities across multiple vehicles and test programs, working closely with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and global engineering partners. Work may include standard business hours with additional time as needed to support critical testing, vehicle readiness, and issue resolution. The culture emphasizes safety, high-quality data, efficient use of test assets, adherence to established procedures, and continuous improvement of processes and collaboration.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Ann Arbor, MI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $33.00 - $40.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Ann Arbor, MI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 5, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Ann Arbor,MI. 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.

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