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Vehicle Validation Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Wayve

Vehicle Validation Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · Hybrid

The Role As a Vehicle Validation Engineer at Wayve, you'll play a key role in enabling the real-world deployment of our end-to-end AI driving systems. You'll ensure our vehicles are ready for testing ...

Nuro

Vehicle Validation Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$132.30K - $198.45K/yr

About the Team The team comprises a group of engineers committed to the validation and enhancement of autonomy at the vehicle level. Responsibilities include the formulation of technical requirements ...

Nuro

Vehicle Validation Engineer

Mountain View, CA

$132.30K - $198.45K/yr

About the Team The team comprises a group of engineers committed to the validation and enhancement of autonomy at the vehicle level. Responsibilities include the formulation of technical requirements ...

Nuro

Vehicle Validation Engineer

Mountain View, CA

$132.30K - $198.45K/yr

About the Team The team comprises a group of engineers committed to the validation and enhancement of autonomy at the vehicle level. Responsibilities include the formulation of technical requirements ...

Rivian

Validation Engineer - Vehicle Hardware

Irvine, CA · On-site

$85.40K - $94.90K/yr

Own vehicle hardware validation plans Develop and manage comprehensive subsystem validation plans ... Partner daily with Product Engineering (DREs), CAE, TPMs, supplier quality, lab technicians, and ...

Applied Intuition

Validation Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA

$140K - $200K/yr

Conduct handson validation testing on vehicles and prototypes to ensure all functional and safety ... Bachelors in Computer Science, Engineering or any equivalent majors Nice to have: * Experience with ...

GILLIG

Validation Engineer

Loveland, CO · Hybrid

GILLIG is on the forefront in the transition to zero-emission vehicles and has an unmatched ... Validation Engineering is responsible for the testing, simulation, and evaluation of systems ...

GILLIG

Validation Engineer

Loveland, CO · Hybrid

GILLIG is on the forefront in the transition to zero-emission vehicles and has an unmatched ... Validation Engineering is responsible for the testing, simulation, and evaluation of systems ...

GILLIG

Validation Engineer

Loveland, CO · On-site

GILLIG is on the forefront in the transition to zero-emission vehicles and has an unmatched ... Validation Engineering is responsible for the testing, simulation, and evaluation of systems ...

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How much do vehicle validation engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of May 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for vehicle validation engineer in the United States is $52.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39.42 and $63.22 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Vehicle Validation Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Vehicle Validation Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical or automotive engineering, strong analytical skills, and experience with vehicle testing and validation processes. Familiarity with diagnostic tools, data acquisition systems, and relevant industry standards or certifications, such as ISO or Six Sigma, is typically required. Excellent problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help you collaborate effectively and deliver accurate results. These skills are crucial for ensuring vehicle safety, quality, and compliance with regulatory standards during the development process.

What are some common challenges faced by Vehicle Validation Engineers during the testing phase?

Vehicle Validation Engineers often encounter challenges such as tight project timelines, rapidly evolving technology, and the need to coordinate tests across multiple departments. They must ensure that vehicles meet stringent safety, performance, and regulatory standards while adapting quickly to unexpected test results or component issues. Effective communication and problem-solving skills are essential for addressing these challenges and collaborating with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to implement solutions efficiently.

What does a Vehicle Validation Engineer do?

A Vehicle Validation Engineer is responsible for testing and verifying that vehicles meet all required safety, performance, and regulatory standards before they go to market. They design and execute test plans, analyze data, and collaborate with design and manufacturing teams to identify and resolve any issues. Their work ensures that vehicles are reliable, safe, and function as intended under various conditions.

What is the difference between Vehicle Validation Engineer vs Vehicle Test Engineer?

AspectVehicle Validation EngineerVehicle Test Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Automotive, or Electrical Engineering; certifications like ISTQB or SAE are commonBachelor's in Mechanical, Automotive, or Electrical Engineering; similar certifications often required
Work EnvironmentDesigning validation plans, analyzing data, ensuring vehicle complianceConducting tests, operating testing equipment, recording test results
Industry UsageUsed in automotive manufacturing, OEMs, and suppliers for validation phasesUsed in testing labs, manufacturing plants, and R&D departments

Vehicle Validation Engineers focus on validating vehicle systems through analysis and testing to ensure compliance and performance, while Vehicle Test Engineers primarily conduct physical tests and operate testing equipment. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and certifications, often working closely within automotive development teams to ensure vehicle quality and safety.

More about Vehicle Validation Engineer jobs
What states have the most Vehicle Validation Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Vehicle Validation Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Vehicle Validation Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Vehicle Validation Engineer jobs are:
Vehicle Validation Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Vehicle Validation Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 22% Full Time, 75% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,152 per year, or $52 per hour.

Vehicle Validation Engineer

Wayve

Sunnyvale, CA • Hybrid

Other

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

The Role

As a Vehicle Validation Engineer at Wayve, you'll play a key role in enabling the real-world deployment of our end-to-end AI driving systems. You'll ensure our vehicles are ready for testing and that test activities deliver high-quality, reliable data to accelerate development.

Joining at an early stage, you'll help shape how we test and operate autonomous vehicles at scale-developing validation approaches, improving systems, and working closely with engineering, product, and operations teams to push the boundaries of what's possible.

Beyond test execution, you'll contribute to how vehicle performance is evaluated and communicated, helping provide meaningful feedback on system behaviour, performance gaps, and real-world driving quality from a customer perspective.

Key responsibilities:

  • Plan and execute vehicle tests to support development, validation, benchmarking, and real-world deployment.
  • Develop and improve vehicle validation test concepts to evaluate system performance across a range of real-world scenarios.
  • Work closely with engineering, product, and operations teams to translate testing needs into effective test activities.
  • Ensure vehicles are prepared, maintained, and consistently ready for safe and efficient testing.
  • Deliver high-quality test data, performance reporting, and actionable insights to support rapid iteration and decision-making.
  • Provide detailed feedback on vehicle behaviour, driving performance, and system gaps from both technical and customer perspectives.
  • Conduct benchmarking activities to evaluate system performance and track progress over time.
  • Develop and improve testing processes, documentation, and operational best practices as the team scales.
  • Manage relationships with external suppliers and service partners.
About you

You're a hands-on engineer who thrives in fast-moving environments and enjoys working at the intersection of hardware, software, and real-world systems. You take ownership, focus on outcomes, and look for ways to continuously improve how things are done.

Essential Skills & Experience

  • Experience with CANalyzer, CANoe, or similar tools for vehicle diagnostics, along with vehicle instrumentation and data logging tools (e.g. Vector, ETAS, Racelogic).
  • Experience executing structured vehicle tests in proving ground and/or real-world environments.
  • Comfortable working across Linux, Windows, and SSH-based environments.
  • Ability to interpret technical requirements and translate them into clear test cases and validation plans.
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across engineering, product, and operations teams.
  • Proactive, hands-on approach with a focus on improving processes, tools, and ways of working.
  • Understanding of safe testing practices and risk assessments in safety-critical environments.
  • Ability to analyse test data and deliver clear, actionable insights to engineering teams.

Desirable Skills & Experience

  • Experience working with autonomous vehicle or ADAS systems.
  • Familiarity with scripting or data tools (e.g. Python, MATLAB) for analysis or automation.
  • Understanding of vehicle networks (CAN, LIN, Ethernet) and diagnostic protocols.
  • Exposure to simulation or test environments (e.g. HiL, SiL).
  • Awareness of automotive safety standards or regulatory frameworks (e.g. ISO 26262).

This is a full-time role based in our office in Sunnyvale.  At Wayve we want the best of all worlds so we operate a hybrid working policy that combines time together in our offices and workshops to fuel innovation, culture, relationships and learning, and time spent working from home.   

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