Role & seniority: Experienced Automotive Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Validation Engineer (Senior/Experienced level)

Location & work type: Dearborn, MI, onsite; Contract

Stack / tools: dSPACE (SystemDesk, ControlDesk, AutomationDesk), MATLAB/Simulink, Stateflow, CAN/UDS protocols, test management and defect tools; Python for automation

Top 3 responsibilities

Perform hands-on HIL validation and testing across Body, Chassis, Infotainment, Instrument Cluster, and ADAS (manual and automated, functional/regression)
Develop reusable test plans and detailed test cases; execute tests; analyze results and debug issues
Manage defect lifecycle and requirements using defect tracking and requirements tools; validate CAN/UDS scenarios, fault handling, and network robustness

Must-have skills

Manual and automated testing; HIL testing
dSPACE tools (SystemDesk, ControlDesk, AutomationDesk)
MATLAB/Simulink (Stateflow, plant models)
Test design & test execution; requirements analysis

Nice-to-have skills

Python scripting; test automation frameworks
ECU testing experience; broader automotive validation experience

Additional notes

Emphasizes SDLC/V-Model, validation best practices, documentation, and QA discipline

Full Description

Job Title: Automotive Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Validation Engineer

Location: Dearborn, MI – Onsite Contract

About Smart IT Frame

At Smart IT Frame, we connect top talent with leading organizations across the USA. With over a decade of staffing excellence, we specialize in IT, healthcare, and professional roles, empowering both clients and candidates to grow together.

Job Summary We are seeking an experienced Automotive HIL Validation Engineer with strong hands-on testing expertise across multiple automotive domains. The role involves manual and automated HIL testing, requirements analysis, test design, execution, and defect management using dSPACE tools, MATLAB/Simulink, and automotive communication protocols.

Key Responsibilities HIL Validation & Testing Perform hands-on validation as a Test Engineer across automotive domains including Body, Chassis, Infotainment, Instrument Cluster, and ADAS Execute Manual and Automated Testing, including Functional and Regression Testing (Black Box and White Box) Develop reusable test plans for component, subsystem, and system-level validation dSPACE Tools & Automation

Work extensively with dSPACE toolchain

SystemDesk
ControlDesk
AutomationDesk
Contribute to test automation development, with willingness to enhance automation using Python
Requirements & Defect Management
Perform requirements analysis and create detailed test scenarios and test cases
Execute test cases, analyze results, identify discrepancies, and debug issues
Manage defect life cycle using defect tracking and requirement management tools
Automotive Protocols & Diagnostics
Perform CAN protocol validation and Diagnostics validation
Hands-on experience with UDS services

Validate scenarios such as

Fault handling and fault injection
Network validation and message mapping
Network latency and communication robustness
Model-Based Design & Validation
Utilize MATLAB Simulink, Stateflow, and plant models for validation activities
Update and enhance plant models as required for testing accuracy
Process & Methodologies
Apply strong understanding of SDLC, preferably V-Model lifecycle
Follow best practices for validation, documentation, and quality assurance
Must-Have Skills
Manual and Automated Testing
Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Testing
dSPACE Tools (SystemDesk, ControlDesk, AutomationDesk)