Software Developer Contract Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

We are currently seeking a Systems Software Engineer - Validation Automation & AI to join our dynamic team in Georgetown TX.

We are looking for a Systems Software Engineer - Validation Automation & AI to help build the next generation of software quality, validation infrastructure, and intelligent engineering workflows for industrial control systems.

This role is intended for a software engineer who can operate across Linux-based control system platforms, embedded device communication, automated test frameworks, and AI-enabled engineering systems. The primary focus is on developing scalable validation strategies, test automation infrastructure, and system-level verification for thermal and datacenter infrastructure control software platforms.

In addition to traditional validation and automation responsibilities, this role will explore and implement practical agentic AI solutions to accelerate test development, automate test generation and maintenance, improve diagnostics and root-cause analysis, expand engineering knowledge access, and enhance overall engineering productivity. The ideal candidate will help define how AI agents can be leveraged throughout the software validation lifecycle-from requirements analysis and test-case creation to regression testing, failure investigation, and continuous quality improvement.

You will contribute to software platforms used in critical thermal and infrastructure environments, where reliability, observability, maintainability, and technical rigor matter. Candidates should be comfortable working at the intersection of systems software, validation engineering, automation tooling, and emerging AI technologies.

What kind of work will you be doing? 

• Design and implement software components and services in Python and C/C++ for Linux-based thermal and infrastructure platforms 
• Develop modular software for embedded control systems, including data acquisition, diagnostics, orchestration, and device interaction 
• Validate communication and integration layers using protocols such as Modbus RTU/TCP, Redfish, SNMP, MQTT, and similar field protocols 
• Create internal tooling and engineering utilities for configuration, deployment, troubleshooting, validation, and system analysis 
• Debug, analyze, and optimize system behavior across software, communications, devices, and test infrastructure to identify and resolve quality issues
• Translate requirements, interface specifications, communication protocols, and system documentation into automated validation workflows, reusable test assets, and machine-executable test procedures
• Establish validation strategies, test architectures, traceability practices, and quality metrics that support reliable and maintainable software releases
• Write and maintain automation, integration, deployment, and CI/CD tooling to support continuous validation and regression testing
• Evaluate and deploy AI agents capable of generating test cases, creating validation artifacts, analyzing failures, identifying coverage gaps, and assisting with root-cause analysis
• Contribute to software architecture decisions, including modularity, interface design, service boundaries, and long-term maintainability 
• Produce and maintain high-quality technical documentation, including module descriptions, interface contracts, workflow definitions, and integration guidance 
• Collaborate closely with product stakeholders to identify high-value software and AI automation use cases 

What will make you successful? 

• Degree in a STEM field such as Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Automation, Physics, or equivalent practical experience 
• Strong software engineering skills in Python 
• Good working knowledge of C/C++ in systems, embedded, or performance-sensitive environments 
• Solid understanding of Linux systems, command-line tooling, process management, networking basics, and Bash scripting 
• Experience building modular software components, services, or tooling with attention to maintainability and technical quality 
• Experience with one or more communication technologies such as Modbus, MQTT, CANbus/CANopen, serial protocols, TCP/IP-based device integration, or similar 
• Experience with Docker, containerized development environments, or service-based deployment workflows 
• Familiarity with CI/CD practices and version control workflows 
• Ability to work across disciplines and deal with real-world engineering constraints, incomplete information, and integration complexity 
• Fluent English, written and spoken 

Nice to Have  

• Experience designing software that combines deterministic logic with AI-driven components in a robust and observable way 
• Background in embedded Linux systems
• Familiarity with diagnostics, observability, system logging, tracing, or performance analysis tools 
• Experience creating developer tooling, internal platforms, or technical productivity systems 
• Familiarity with REST APIs, WebSocket-based services, or integration middleware 
• Experience contributing to interface documentation, technical platform specifications, or reusable software standards 

If YOU are the person we are looking for, feel free to apply and let's start drafting your future career in a healthy and growing environment!

The successful candidate will embrace Vertiv's Core Principals & Behaviors to help execute our Strategic Priorities.  

OUR CORE PRINCIPALS: Safety.  Integrity.  Respect.  Teamwork.  Inclusion.

OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

  High-Performance Culture

Customer Focus

  Operational Excellence

  Innovation

  Financial Strength

VERTIV BEHAVIORS

• Own it
• Act with urgency
• Foster a customer-first mindset
• Think big and execute
• Lead by example
• Drive continuous improvement
• Learn and seek out development
• Promote transparent & open communication 

About Vertiv

Vertiv (NYSE: VRT) brings together hardware, software, analytics and ongoing services to enable its customers' vital applications to run continuously, perform optimally and grow with their business needs.  Vertiv solves the most important challenges facing today's data centers, communication networks and commercial and industrial facilities with a portfolio of power, cooling and IT infrastructure solutions and services that extend from the cloud to the edge of the network. Headquartered in Westerville, Ohio, USA, Vertiv employs around 34,000 people and does business in more than 130 countries. Visit Vertiv.com to learn more.   

Work Authorization

No calls or agencies please. Vertiv will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, or TN or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Vertiv is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We promote equal opportunities for all with respect to hiring, terms of employment, mobility, training, compensation, and occupational health, without discrimination as to age, race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity / expression (including transgender status or sexual stereotypes), genetic information, citizenship status, national origin, protected veteran status, political affiliation, or disability. If you have a disability and are having difficulty accessing or using this website to apply for a position, you can request help by sending an email to help.join@vertiv.com.

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