Wireless Firmware Validation Engineer (Autonomous Vehicles)

Location: Foster City, California, United States; hybrid workplace.

Company

Zoox develops autonomous vehicles and the software, hardware, and connectivity systems required for autonomous fleet operations.

What you will do

• Own performance validation, optimization, and debugging of the telematics control unit and its integration with the autonomous vehicle platform.
• Define component integration plans from hardware bring-up through advanced functions and fleet deployment.
• Design and execute comprehensive test plans and advanced testing campaigns using network emulation tools such as Keysight UXM.
• Analyze diagnostics, logs, cellular network behavior, 4G/5G modems, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and internal software layers to identify root causes.
• Validate interfaces between RF and baseband, the baseband protocol stack and application processor, and the application processor and host.
• Develop log-analysis frameworks and automation scripts, and collaborate on Software, Firmware, and integration specifications and requirements.

Requirements

• B.S. or M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Science, or a similar discipline.
• 10+ years of industry experience in wireless validation or embedded systems test engineering.
• Deep expertise developing 3GPP cellular feature test plans for 4G-LTE and 5G-NR, Wi-Fi, and Satellite, plus debugging MAC, L1, RF, and firmware protocol layers.
• Extensive knowledge of LTE/5G protocol stacks, including NAS, PDCP, RRC, RLC, MAC, and PHY, and the ability to interpret 3GPP specifications.
• Exceptional ability to use cellular network analysis tools such as QXDM, Shannon Tools, and Wireshark to capture, parse, and analyze cross-layer wireless behavior.
• Hands-on experience with network emulators such as Keysight UXM and Rohde & Schwarz CMW500/CMX500 for baseband testing and hardware bring-up.
• Strong proficiency in Python or Shell scripting for automated test frameworks.

Nice to have

• Familiarity with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and BLE.
• Experience testing software in an embedded Linux or Yocto Project environment.
• Experience in autonomous vehicles, telematics, or IoT where connectivity affects physical safety and fleet operations.
• Experience driving continuous improvements, mentoring engineers, and promoting validation practices across organizations.

Culture & Benefits

• Work focuses on connectivity reliability, safety, and scalability for an autonomous vehicle fleet.
• The role connects hardware, cloud infrastructure, and test systems supporting real-time cloud services, fleet management, and teleoperation.
• Zoox states that diverse perspectives and varied backgrounds, experiences, and skills support its innovation goals.