At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the validation strategy for cutting-edge autonomous systems and ensure safety and readiness.
- Company: Fortescue, a leader in innovation and decarbonisation in heavy industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to innovation and sustainability.
- Why this job: Shape the future of autonomous technology and make a real impact on global operations.
- Qualifications: Engineering degree and 5-8 years in autonomous systems validation required.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Fortescue is a dynamic technology, energy and metals group leading innovation, development and industrialisation of heavy industry to achieve Real Zero decarbonisation - rapidly, profitably and globally. The autonomous program is pushing boundaries beyond Level 4 deployment, uniquely as developer and customer for core production capability. It is already operating at scale across multiple active mine sites with plans for global expansion. Virtual validation is critical to safety, deployment readiness, and rapid expansion.
About the Role
Reporting to the Managing Director Autonomous Fleet Solutions, the Autonomous Virtual Validation Manager will own the strategy and execution of full system-level validation across perception, planning, control and vehicle integration. This is a highly hands-on technical leadership role with genuine end-to-end ownership — from shaping validation architecture and tooling, through to influencing system design and supporting live deployment. If you want to define what best-in-class autonomous system assurance looks like at scale — this is your opportunity.
Responsibilities
- Own and lead the SIL and HIL validation strategy for autonomous systems.
- Design validation frameworks that enable rapid iteration while maintaining safety and system assurance.
- Ensure validation outcomes are aligned with on-vehicle behaviour, safety cases, and deployment readiness.
- Validate autonomous systems at a full system and vehicle level, not isolated modules.
- Understand and assess interactions between perception, planning, control, and infrastructure systems.
- Support integration decisions through data-driven validation insights.
- Provide hands-on technical leadership in simulation, test automation, and system diagnostics.
- Lead and mentor engineers delivering validation code, tooling, and infrastructure.
- Identify failure modes and gaps in system behaviour through advanced testing techniques.
- Maintain a strong understanding of overall autonomous system architecture and dependencies.
- Work closely with system architects and development teams to influence design for testability.
- Contribute to system integration discussions with a validation-first perspective.
- Build and grow a high-performing virtual validation team.
- Develop validation processes, standards, and best practices.
- Support skills development and succession within the validation function.
- Communicate validation outcomes, risks, and system readiness clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Support executive and operational decision-making through evidence-based insights.
Qualifications
- Engineering degree in a relevant discipline. Post-graduate studies well regarded.
- 5-8+ years in autonomous systems validation, simulation or system integration, including experience in the development and implementation of virtual validation strategy and methodologies.
- Strong hands-on experience with SIL and HIL validation environments.
- Experience working within Agile development teams, with exposure to full system-level autonomous development.
- Strong programming capability and ability to elevate validation tooling.
- Solid understanding of full autonomous system architecture.
- Awareness of emerging technologies, standards and Ai/ML trends relevant to validation.
- Clear, structured communication style with a demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and influence outcomes.
- Adaptable mindset with a strong problem-solving orientation.
Required Skills
- Strong hands-on experience with SIL and HIL validation environments.
- Strong programming capability and ability to elevate validation tooling.
- Clear, structured communication style with a demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and influence outcomes.
Preferred Skills
- Experience working within Agile development teams, with exposure to full system-level autonomous development.
- Awareness of emerging technologies, standards and Ai/ML trends relevant to validation.
Fortescue reserves the right to close applications early should a suitable pool of candidates be identified.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Fortescue celebrates individual strengths and team members are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work. Our global workforce drives and promotes an inclusive culture, both within our organisation and throughout the communities we interact with. Diverse backgrounds include First Nations Peoples, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ community, gender, neurodiverse, cultural diversity, all age groups, and those with an intersectional or multiple diverse characteristics. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
Fortescue will never contact you to ask for payment of any kind, whether directly or through a third party.
Autonomous Virtual Validation Manager employer: Fortescue
Fortescue is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and sustainability in the heavy industry sector, offering a unique opportunity for professionals to lead cutting-edge autonomous systems validation. With a strong commitment to employee growth, a collaborative work culture, and a focus on inclusivity, Fortescue empowers its team members to thrive while contributing to global decarbonisation efforts. Located at the forefront of technological advancement, employees benefit from hands-on experience in a dynamic environment that values diverse perspectives and fosters professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Autonomous Virtual Validation Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those at Fortescue. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that job descriptions just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into Fortescue's projects and values. Show us how your skills align with their mission of Real Zero decarbonisation and autonomous systems.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your technical skills! Since this role is hands-on, brush up on SIL and HIL validation environments. We want to see you shine in practical scenarios during assessments.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the Fortescue team.
We think you need these skills to ace Autonomous Virtual Validation Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in autonomous systems validation. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant projects!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Since this role is all about hands-on technical leadership, be sure to emphasise your experience with SIL and HIL validation environments. We love seeing specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in these areas.
Communicate Clearly:Your ability to communicate complex ideas simply is key! Use clear and structured language in your application to demonstrate how you can engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fortescue
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of SIL and HIL validation environments. Brush up on your programming skills and be ready to discuss how you've used them in past projects. This role is all about technical leadership, so showing that you can dive deep into the details will impress the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this position involves leading a team, be prepared to share examples of how you've mentored others or led projects in the past. Highlight your experience in Agile development teams and how you've influenced outcomes through clear communication and collaboration.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with the overall architecture of autonomous systems and how different components interact. Be ready to discuss how your validation strategies align with safety cases and deployment readiness. This shows that you’re not just focused on the technical side but also understand the strategic implications.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and adaptability. Think of specific scenarios where you identified failure modes or gaps in system behaviour. Being able to articulate your thought process and the steps you took to resolve issues will demonstrate your hands-on experience and critical thinking skills.
