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Freelance Hil Test Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Fleetzero

Senior Test Engineer - Battery Systems

Houston, TX · On-site

$125K - $150K/yr

You will own our hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) infrastructure, our cell/module/system-level test cells ... Mentor junior engineers and technicians as the team grows around you. What you bring * Degree in ...

Apptronik

Robotics Test Engineer

Austin, TX

You will work hands-on with our pytest-based test infrastructure, HIL benches, and the broader RSIT ... Partner with senior engineers on root-cause investigations for CI failures, escaped defects, and ...

Apptronik

Robotics Test Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

HIL Test Execution: Run and maintain test suites on hardware-in-the-loop benches, capture data, and ... Programming: Working proficiency in Python, including ability to write clean, maintainable test ...

Inversion

Senior Avionics Test Engineer

Vista, CA · On-site

$137K - $193K/yr

Own the design, build, and operational execution of Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testbeds and bench ... Mentor junior test engineers, standardizing data-driven analysis techniques and automated test ...

Rivian

Staff Software Engineer, HIL, Autonomy

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$206K - $258K/yr

Role Summary As a Staff HIL Software Engineer, you will directly architect and own the verification ... Strategic Test Development: Ability to translate detailed embedded software requirements into ...

Inversion

Senior Avionics Test Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$137K - $193K/yr

Own the design, build, and operational execution of Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testbeds and bench ... Mentor junior test engineers, standardizing data-driven analysis techniques and automated test ...

Rivian

Staff Software Engineer, HIL, Autonomy

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$206K - $258K/yr

Role Summary As a Staff HIL Software Engineer, you will directly architect and own the verification ... Strategic Test Development: Ability to translate detailed embedded software requirements into ...

Rivian

Staff Software Engineer, HIL, Autonomy

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$206K - $258K/yr

Role Summary As a Staff HIL Software Engineer, you will directly architect and own the verification ... Strategic Test Development: Ability to translate detailed embedded software requirements into ...

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Freelance Hil Test Engineer information

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How much do freelance hil test engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance hil test engineer in the United States is $44.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33.41 and $52.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance HIL test engineers when working remotely with clients?

Freelance HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) Test Engineers often encounter challenges such as coordinating test schedules across different time zones, managing access to client hardware or simulation platforms, and ensuring clear communication with in-house engineering teams. Since HIL testing typically requires specialized equipment, freelancers may need to travel to client sites or establish secure remote access, which can introduce logistical and technical hurdles. Building strong relationships with client teams and maintaining organized documentation help to overcome these challenges and ensure successful test execution.

What is a freelance HIL test engineer?

A Freelance HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) Test Engineer is a specialist who independently designs, implements, and executes tests on embedded systems by simulating real-world conditions using HIL setups. They work on a contract or project basis rather than as full-time employees, often collaborating with automotive, aerospace, or industrial companies to verify the performance and reliability of control systems. These engineers use simulation tools and hardware to ensure products meet safety and functionality standards before release. Their freelance status allows them flexibility to work with multiple clients, often remotely or onsite as needed.

What is the difference between Freelance Hil Test Engineer vs Freelance Software Test Engineer?

AspectFreelance Hil Test EngineerFreelance Software Test Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires certifications like ISTQB, CSTESimilar certifications like ISTQB, CSTE are common
Work EnvironmentOften works remotely or on client sites, focusing on hardware and system testingPrimarily remote or on-site, focusing on software applications
Industry UsageUsed in industries like healthcare, aerospace, and manufacturingCommon in IT, software development, and tech companies
Search & Comparison IntentPeople compare for testing roles in hardware/system environmentsPeople compare for software testing roles in tech projects

The main difference is that Freelance Hil Test Engineers focus on hardware, systems, and specialized testing environments, while Freelance Software Test Engineers concentrate on software applications and development projects. Both roles require similar certifications and can be performed remotely, but they serve different industry needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance HIL test engineer?

To thrive as a Freelance HIL Test Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, control systems, and experience with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing methodologies. Familiarity with tools like dSPACE, NI LabVIEW, Vector CANoe, and relevant programming languages (such as Python or MATLAB/Simulink) is typically required, along with certifications in automotive or embedded systems testing. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for collaborating with diverse clients and adapting to various project requirements. These skills and qualifications are critical for ensuring accurate system validation, efficient troubleshooting, and successful project delivery in dynamic, technical environments.
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Freelance Hil Test Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Hil Test Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,027 per year, or $44.2 per hour.

Senior Test Engineer - Battery Systems

Fleetzero

Houston, TX

$125K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

Reports to: VP of Engineering

Fleetzero is electrifying global maritime shipping with marine-grade lithium-iron-phosphate battery systems built for the harshest environments on the planet. Our Leviathan battery platform is in active ABS Product Design Assessment, with hardware on test rigs today and production hardware shipping in the near term. We are hiring a Senior Test Engineer to take full ownership of our battery test program: The rigs, the procedures, the automation, and the evidence packages that turn engineering work into class-approved, vessel-ready hardware.

This is a hands-on role for an engineer who is equally comfortable wrenching on a fixture at 6 AM, debugging a CAN trace at noon, and presenting a thermal propagation test report to an ABS surveyor at 4 PM. You will own our hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) infrastructure, our cell/module/system-level test cells, and the requirements-to-evidence traceability that holds the whole program together. You will work shoulder-to-shoulder with our hardware, firmware, and systems teams to design tests early, fail hardware fast, and produce documentation that is self-explanatory to a first-time reader.

If you have ever looked at a battery abuse test cell and thought "I could run this better," this is your job.
What you'll do

  • Own the test rigs. Take full responsibility for our existing cell, module, and pack-level test stations: cyclers, environmental chambers, abuse test enclosures, HV safety systems. Improve them. Document them. Make them auditable.

  • Stand up our HIL program. Architect and build hardware-in-the-loop infrastructure to validate BMS firmware (CMU/PMU/SMU layered architecture) against simulated cell, contactor, and vessel-level fault conditions. Drive HIL coverage upstream into the firmware development cycle.

  • Author the test program. Write test plans, procedures, and reports for characterization, verification, validation, and abuse testing: including thermal propagation, overcharge, over-discharge, external short circuit, vibration, IP ingress, and thermal cycling. Make every report stand on its own as ABS evidence.

  • Run witness testing. Execute ABS and USCG witness tests on-site, including pre-test dry runs, surveyor walkthroughs, and post-test documentation packages.

  • Build traceability. Tie every test case back to a requirement, every result back to a test case, and every certificate back to a result. Help us mature requirements-to-test traceability tooling across the engineering organization.

  • Automate and instrument. Develop Python (or equivalent) automation for cycler control, DAQ, post-processing, and report generation. Eliminate manual data wrangling wherever it shows up.

  • Diagnose failures. Lead root-cause investigation when hardware fails on the bench, in qualification, or in the field. Translate findings into design and process changes.

  • Grow the function. Help shape Fleetzero's test engineering culture as we scale from R&D into production. Mentor junior engineers and technicians as the team grows around you.

What you bring

  • Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field, or equivalent hands-on experience. We care about what you can do, not where you sat for four years.

  • 5+ years of test engineering experience in batteries, energy storage, EV powertrains, aerospace, or another safety-critical hardware domain.

  • Direct, hands-on experience with battery cyclers (Arbin, Maccor, Bitrode, Chroma, or equivalent) at the cell, module, or pack level.

  • HIL experience using NI, dSPACE, Speedgoat, or equivalent platforms, and a clear point of view on what makes a HIL test rig actually useful versus merely impressive.

  • Comfortable working around high-voltage DC systems. You know what an arc flash boundary is and you respect it.

  • Strong scripting and data analysis skills in Python (preferred), MATLAB, or LabVIEW, including comfort building test automation from the ground up.

  • Working knowledge of CAN, RS-485, Modbus, and other industrial communication protocols.

  • Clear technical writing. Your test reports do not require a phone call to interpret.

Nice to have

  • Experience supporting class society (ABS, DNV, Lloyd's, BV) or regulatory (USCG, Coast Guard, FAA, NHTSA) witness testing.

  • Familiarity with UL 1973, UL 9540A, IEC 62619, UN 38.3, or equivalent battery safety standards.

  • Functional safety background (IEC 61508, ISO 26262, or marine equivalents).

  • Experience building out a test lab from scratch: Fixturing, safety systems, fire suppression, ventilation, HV lockout-tagout.

  • Marine, naval, or shipboard experience. Bonus points if you have ever stood a watch.

How we work

We are a small, dense engineering team in Houston. We test early, test often, and break hardware on purpose. We work in person because integration problems live in the gaps between disciplines, and the gaps close faster when you can walk over to the next bench. We document because the next person who reads our work might be a class surveyor, a customer's chief engineer, or a future version of ourselves at 2 AM in a shipyard.

Our team includes mariners, fabricators, software engineers, sales people. We respect the trades and the textbooks equally.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.