Pre Production Vehicle Tester Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Software Integration Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on deploying, validating, and integrating embedded software across next-generation high-performance electric vehicles. You will ensure that development software is correctly flashed, integrated, validated, and released on prototype and pre-production vehicle fleets while working closely with cross-functional engineering teams in a fast-paced automotive environment.

Responsibilities

• Flash development and release software onto prototype and pre-production vehicles across multiple electronic control units (ECUs) and domains.
• Execute software updates on vehicle ECUs and verify successful deployment and system functionality after installation.
• Maintain accurate software version control documentation and support formal software release activities.
• Perform software integration testing on high-performance electric vehicles at the vehicle and system level.
• Verify the functionality of vehicle systems following software updates and confirm that features operate as intended.
• Conduct system-level troubleshooting and root cause analysis for software integration and deployment issues.
• Support vehicle commissioning, configuration, and readiness activities for prototype and pre-production programs.
• Investigate software, calibration, communication, and system-level failures using diagnostic and logging tools.
• Analyze CAN, CAN FD, Ethernet, and diagnostic data to identify issues and support defect resolution.
• Use engineering tools to capture logs, monitor vehicle behavior, and document observed issues and outcomes.
• Collaborate with software developers, systems engineers, validation engineers, and calibration teams to resolve defects and integration problems.
• Partner with global engineering organizations to validate and release software updates to vehicle fleets.
• Participate in issue triage discussions and provide clear technical recommendations and status updates.
• Support vehicle testing events both on-site and at remote test locations, including software updates and troubleshooting during tests.
• Develop scripts, utilities, or tools to improve software integration, deployment, and validation workflows.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, including test reports, integration procedures, and issue-tracking records.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance software deployment robustness, validation efficiency, and diagnostic capability.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a closely related field.
• At least 1 year of experience in automotive software integration, embedded software development, vehicle validation, or systems engineering.
• Hands-on experience flashing software and configuring automotive ECUs for prototype, development, or pre-production vehicle programs.
• Practical experience supporting prototype, development, or pre-production vehicle programs in an automotive environment.
• Strong knowledge of ECU flashing processes and embedded software deployment workflows.
• Experience diagnosing software issues and vehicle network problems at the system and vehicle level.
• Proficiency with vehicle diagnostics and troubleshooting methods for embedded automotive systems.
• Working knowledge of CAN and CAN FD communication, including message structures and network behavior.
• Understanding of vehicle networking fundamentals, including bus architectures and communication protocols.
• Experience using Vector CANalyzer and CANoe for network analysis, diagnostics, and testing.
• Hands-on experience with automotive diagnostic tools and proprietary OEM flashing tools.
• Familiarity with ETAS tools and dSPACE environments for automotive software development and validation.
• Experience with JIRA for issue tracking and defect management.
• Experience with Git or GitHub for source control and software configuration management.
• Experience with Jenkins or similar tools for continuous integration and automated build pipelines.
• Proficiency in Python for scripting, automation, and data analysis in support of integration and validation activities.
• Experience with CAPL for CAN-based automation, simulation, and test scripting.
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink in the context of embedded or automotive systems.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience configuring ECUs and working with automotive tools such as CANoe and related Vector toolchains.
• Embedded software development within automotive or similar safety-critical domains.
• Experience with automotive software integration in high-performance electric vehicles or advanced vehicle platforms.
• Ability to develop scripts, utilities, and internal tools that streamline integration, flashing, and validation workflows.
• Experience creating clear technical documentation, including test plans, test reports, and integration procedures.
• Familiarity with systems engineering practices for complex automotive systems, including requirements and traceability.
• Comfort working with global, cross-functional engineering teams across software, systems, validation, and calibration disciplines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to perform root cause analysis using logs and network data.

Work Environment

You will work in a dynamic automotive engineering environment focused on next-generation high-performance electric vehicles. The role involves daily interaction with prototype and pre-production vehicles, including frequent hands-on work with ECUs, vehicle networks, and diagnostic equipment in both lab and vehicle settings. You will regularly use tools such as Vector CANalyzer, CANoe, Vehicle Spy, ETAS tools, dSPACE, automotive diagnostic tools, proprietary OEM flashing tools, JIRA, Git or GitHub, Jenkins, Python, CAPL, and MATLAB/Simulink. The position requires close collaboration with local and international engineering teams and may involve supporting vehicle testing events at on-site facilities and remote test locations. Work hours may include periods of flexibility to align with testing schedules and global team coordination in a professional, engineering-focused environment.

This is a Contract position based out of Ann Arbor, MI.

The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $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)

This is a fully onsite position in Ann Arbor,MI.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 17, 2026.

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.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.