Automotive Software Test & Validation Engineer in Guildford

Expleo is a trusted partner for end-to-end, integrated engineering, quality services and management consulting for digital transformation. We help businesses harness unrelenting technological change to successfully deliver innovations that will help them gain a competitive advantage and improve the everyday lives of people around the globe. An opportunity has arisen for an Automotive Software Test & Validation Engineer to support the development of advanced vehicle systems within a high-performance engineering environment. This role is central to ensuring the quality, reliability, and safety of embedded software across multiple vehicle domains. Working within an Agile development framework, the successful candidate will collaborate closely with system engineers, software developers, and vehicle integration teams to validate complex electronic and software systems. The technical scope spans modern automotive architectures, including CAN-based systems, Ethernet-enabled zonal architectures, AUTOSAR platforms, and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) testing for cutting-edge vehicle technologies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute software test cases aligned with system requirements and technical specifications.
• Perform validation activities across defined electronic/electrical (E/E) domains (e.g. body systems, chassis, powertrain, infotainment).
• Conduct both static testing (HiL/test rigs) and dynamic vehicle-based testing.
• Configure, maintain, and optimise Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) environments, including management of software configurations for test rigs.
• Analyse test results from formal test cases and real-world vehicle data, identifying defects and performance issues.
• Produce detailed defect reports, ensuring clear root cause analysis and escalation of issues impacting end-user experience.
• Collaborate with software development teams to plan and execute testing strategies within Agile workflows.
• Represent software testing and HiL capabilities in technical discussions with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Generate and maintain accurate documentation, including test reports, configuration records, and validation evidence.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related discipline (2:1 or above preferred).

Essential skills

• Strong knowledge of automotive communication protocols: CAN, LIN (2.x), Automotive Ethernet (e.g. 100Base-TX).
• Understanding of diagnostic and calibration protocols: UDS (ISO 14229), XCP.
• Hands-on experience with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) testing environments.
• Experience with test automation tools such as: vTestStudio, AutomationDesk, ECU-Test.
• Familiarity with HiL platforms such as: dSPACE SCALEXIO, Vector VT systems.
• Understanding of: Rest-bus simulation, Diagnostics and fault handling, Functional safety and security mechanisms (e.g. checksums, SecOC, freshness algorithms).
• Knowledge of AUTOSAR architecture and model-based development approaches.
• Exposure to programming/scripting languages such as C, C#, Python, or CAPL.
• Ability to interpret system requirements and translate them into effective validation strategies.

Desired skills

• Strong electrical and electronic troubleshooting skills to support prototyping and system validation.
• Strong understanding of automotive electronics and embedded systems.
• Familiarity with modern automotive software development methodologies, including Agile and model-based development.
• Familiarity with zonal E/E architectures and Ethernet-based vehicle networks.

Experience

• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink for reviewing and validating control models.
• Experience working with suppliers and external engineering partners.

Benefits

• Collaborative working environment – we stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients and our peers through good times and challenges.
• We empower all passionate technology loving professionals by allowing them to expand their skills and take part in inspiring projects.
• Expleo Academy - enables you to acquire and develop the right skills by delivering a suite of accredited training courses.
• Competitive company benefits.
• Always working as one team, our people are not afraid to think big and challenge the status quo.
• As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we have committed to: Ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible, Communicating and promoting vacancies, Offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job, Anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments as required, Supporting any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term health condition, enabling them to stay in work.
• We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. We treat everyone fairly and equitably across the organisation, including providing any additional support and adjustments needed for everyone to thrive.