Embedded Software Engineer / Tech lead, Onboard Test Automation

About us Founded in 2017, Wayve is the leading developer of Embodied AI technology. Our advanced AI software and foundation models enable vehicles to perceive, understand, and navigate any complex environment, enhancing the usability and safety of automated driving systems. Our vision is to create autonomy that propels the world forward. Our intelligent, mapless, and hardware-agnostic AI products are designed for automakers, accelerating the transition from assisted to automated driving. In our fast-paced environment big problems ignite us—we embrace uncertainty, leaning into complex challenges to unlock groundbreaking solutions. We aim high and stay humble in our pursuit of excellence, constantly learning and evolving as we pave the way for a smarter, safer future. At Wayve, your contributions matter. We value diversity, embrace new perspectives, and foster an inclusive work environment; we back each other to deliver impact. Make Wayve the experience that defines your career! The role As an Embedded Software Test Engineer / Tech Lead at Wayve, you will play a key role in validating onboard software systems before they reach full-vehicle testing. You’ll work across a range of embedded compute platforms and operating systems to ensure software is reliable, integrated, and ready for real-world deployment. This is a high-impact role where your work directly improves software quality and enables faster iteration across multiple teams. You’ll help scale testing by building automated tests and empowering developers to validate their work earlier in the development cycle. Key responsibilities: Design, develop, and execute automated tests for onboard software subsystems (OS, middleware, sensors, and integration points) Validate software behavior on embedded hardware platforms within hardware-in-the-loop environments Collaborate with software engineers to identify test gaps and build coverage for new and existing features Debug and triage system-level issues across software and hardware boundaries Enable developer self-service testing by contributing to CI pipelines and reusable test frameworks Support expansion of test coverage by leveraging existing validation tests and shifting them earlier in the development cycle About you In order to set you up for success as an Embedded Software Test Engineer at Wayve, we’re looking for the following skills and experience. Essential Experience testing embedded software systems, ideally on Linux or QNX-based platforms Strong programming skills in Python, C++, or similar languages for test development and automation Experience working with embedded hardware platforms and understanding hardware/software interactions Proven ability to debug and triage complex issues across system layers Understanding of software testing principles, including automation, integration testing, and system validation Desirable Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) testing environments Familiarity with sensor systems or data pipelines (e.g., camera, radar, or similar) Experience working with CI/CD systems (e.g., Buildkite) and test pipeline integration Exposure to robotics, autonomous systems, or real-time software environments This role is a full-time role based in Sunnyvale, CA (hybrid) and the reasonably estimated salary for this role ranges from $209,700 to $311,400, plus a competitive equity package. Actual compensation is based on the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience. Wayve is committed to creating an inclusive interview experience. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to participate fully in our interview process, please let us know. We understand that everyone has a unique set of skills and experiences and that not everyone will meet all of the requirements listed above. If you’re passionate about self-driving cars and think you have what it takes to make a positive impact on the world, we encourage you to apply. At Wayve we're committed to creating a diverse, fair and respectful