--- title: 'HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) Validation & Verification Engineer at Kickmaker' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/hil-hardware-in-the-loop-validation-verification-engineer-kickmaker-san-9xw8ctrtn8xx' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-15' --- # HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) Validation & Verification Engineer at Kickmaker - **Company:** Kickmaker - **Location:** San Francisco, CA - **Compensation:** $95k–$115k - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-09-24 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-15 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/kickmaker/8161f4b0-240c-4d82-905a-efdad390db9b ## Job description Kickmaker is a high-tech product design and industrialization agency. We support our customers from prototype to production run in our main vertical markets (medical, new mobility, electrification, agrotech, robotics, IOT and consumer devices) and our cross-disciplinary skills (embedded AI, high-tech manufacturing automation, eco-design, industrial design and WEB 3.0 for the economy of functionality). We're evolving with a real maker culture! Passion, excitement and kindness are the pillars of KICKMAKER. This team and community spirit has enabled us to shape a unique corporate culture. Our approach: to enable everyone to fulfill their potential by working on exciting projects, and to encourage autonomy and initiative. Present in France, China and the United States, our community counts over 250 passionate kickers and keeps growing. It is in this context that we are looking to strengthen our team in Boston, Seattle and San Fransisco. We are seeking a highly skilled Test & Validation Engineer to join our team. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with vehicle network testing, ECU validation, and automated test bench development. You will work on cutting-edge projects involving electric and conventional vehicles, ensuring the highest standards of system performance and reliability. Who we are ? At Kickmaker, we don’t just make products; We bring bold ideas to life. We’re a crew of 300+ engineers & experts (aka “Kickers”) obsessed with turning prototypes into reality, from robotics to medical devices to the next-gen consumer gadgets. We move fast, think big, and keep it eco-conscious. We work with the dreamers and the disruptors — from fresh startups to global industry leaders — and we make sure innovation stays true to its purpose and values. We’re growing our US Engineering team : The role involves mechanical design, prototyping, and testing of subassemblies that integrate actuators, motors, and electronics into high-performance robotic mechanisms. You will collaborate with electrical and software engineers to bring mechanical concepts to life,  from CAD to bench testing to working robots. What you’ll do Test & Validation Engineer – EV Test Benches & Vehicle Integration Develop, execute, and maintain vehicle and bench testing procedures for ECUs and embedded systems. Use Vector tools (CANape, CANoe, CANalyzer) to simulate, monitor, and validate vehicle networks (CAN, LIN, FlexRay, Ethernet). Perform data acquisition and analysis using National Instruments hardware and LabVIEW software. Collaborate with cross-functional teams (hardware, software, and vehicle integration) to troubleshoot and optimize system performance. Utilize IPEmotion (preferred). Prepare technical reports documenting test results, issues, and recommendations. Support continuous improvement initiatives for test procedures, automation, and instrumentation setups. Required Qualifications Proven experience with Vector tools (CANape, CANoe, CANalyzer) in automotive environments. Proficient with National Instruments hardware and LabVIEW for test automation and data acquisition. Strong understanding of vehicle networks and embedded systems. Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills. Preferred Qualifications: Experience with IPEmotion for vehicle testing. Familiarity with ECU validation and vehicle system integration. ## Your adventure at Kickmaker At Kickmaker you’ll work on 5–10 projects annually, choosing from a wide range of industries : from robotics, medical devices, fitness tech, and automotive, to micro-mobility, beauty tech, sports exoskeletons, and AI-driven hardware. Your path evolves with your curiosity: we help you grow where your professional ambitions and personal passions meet, always connected to the latest tech breakthroughs. We offer a benefits package designed to support you and your family while keeping costs low. This includes health and welfare coverage, paid time off for rest and renewal, and a global profit-share scheme (paid bi-annually, based on company performance) so you share in our success. You can also join our 401(k) plan to invest in your future. Flexible working :We believe flexibility makes us stronger. We offer alternative schedules and the option to work remotely for part of your week — supporting both your well-being and work-life balance. Our Culture & Spirit Kickmaker is built by innovators, for innovators. Across our 10 innovation hubs we give you the tools to make your ideas happen. Our Kickmaker Assembly Lines (KAL) are 1,500m² playgrounds for hardware: 3D printers, CNC machines, welding stations, electronics benches, oscilloscopes, soldering gear, and more. It’s where you can stay close to R&D, test ideas fast, and build anything from your current project… to that side project you’ve been thinking about forever. We believe innovation works best when people connect, so we organize activities for every type of personality: from quiet brainstorming sessions to bowling nights, kayak trips, tennis matches, and weekend adventures. At least four times a year, we gather teams to share ideas, create, and recharge. Our vision is simple: build a space where innovators can explore, experiment, and push boundaries together. If you’re curious about our spirit and way of working (and you’ve got a minute) check out this short video where Leonardo da Vinci “visits” Kickmaker. An image is worth a thousand words, and this one will give you the full vibe If you’ve ever looked at a product and thought, “I could build this better,” let’s talk. Send us your portfolio, GitHub, or even a wild side project. Surprise us. ## Your adventure at Kickmaker At Kickmaker you’ll work on 5–10 projects annually, choosing from a wide range of industries : from robotics, medical devices, fitness tech, and automotive, to micro-mobility, beauty tech, sports exoskeletons, and AI-driven hardware. Your path evolves with your curiosity: we help you grow where your professional ambitions and personal passions meet, always connected to the latest tech breakthroughs. We offer a benefits package designed to support you and your family while keeping costs low. This includes health and dental coverage, paid time off and 5 sick days for rest and renewal. You can also join our 401(k) plan to invest in your future. Our Culture & Spirit Kickmaker is built by innovators, for innovators. Across our 7 offices we give you the tools to make your ideas happen. Our vision is simple: build a space where innovators can explore, experiment, and push boundaries together. If you’re curious about our spirit and way of working (and you’ve got a minute) check out this short video where Leonardo da Vinci “visits” Kickmaker.An image is worth a thousand words, and this one will give you the full vibe If you’ve ever looked at a product and thought, “I could build this better,” let’s talk! ## About Kickmaker ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Kickmaker is a high-tech product design and industrialization partner that helps startups, SMBs, and large enterprises move from prototype to mass production. - **Entity Type**: Private (Bootstrapped/Self-Owned — last venture round in 2023) - **Headquarters**: Paris, France - **Founded**: November 2016 - **Founders**: Not publicly disclosed on available sources ## Core Business - **Primary industries**: Engineering Services, Hardware Product Development, Industrialization & Manufacturing, Robotics, Drones, New Mobility, Medical Devices, IoT, Consumer Electronics - **Target customers**: B2B — Startups, medium-sized companies, and large groups needing product design and mass-production support - **Mission**: To enable every high-tech project — from the most cutting-edge to the most mainstream — to be produced with the best possible industrialization support, fostering deep tech and innovative technologies. ## Products & Services - **End-to-End Industrialization**: Full-stack service covering R&D and prototyping, product design and mass-production strategy, supply and procurement management, pre-production including certification, batch and serial production, and product lifecycle management. - **Urban Micro-Factories**: Seven offices combined with urban micro-factories (Paris, Boston, Lyon, Grenoble, Nantes) for rapid prototyping, assembly, and low-volume production. - **Specialized Expertise**: Services tailored to robotics, drones, UAVs, new mobility & electrification, medical devices & instruments with embedded AI, IoT & consumer electronics, luxury goods, and special machines. ## Market Standing - **Valuation**: Not disclosed - **Key Metric**: Total funding of ~$5.5M USD (Series A led by Generis Capital Partners in 2020; venture round with 3 investors in 2023) - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Generis Capital Partners (lead), French Fab (partner for re-industrialization) - **Growth Signals**: - 300+ employees (up 3.8% YoY) across 7 countries (France, USA, China, Argentina, UK) - 170+ products industrialized - 32,000+ LinkedIn followers (growing 59% YoY) - Active in eco-design and "Made in France" re-industrialization movement ## Competitive Advantages - **Full Vertical Integration**: Covers the entire product lifecycle from concept to mass production under one roof, reducing project risk by 50% and time-to-market to 6–12 months. - **Multidisciplinary Community**: A community of 300+ engineers across electronics, mechanics, embedded software, and project management, enabling cross-pollination and multi-trade collaboration. - **Urban Micro-Factories**: Physical micro-factories co-located with offices allow rapid prototyping and low-volume production without needing a traditional factory. - **Deep Niche Focus**: Specialization in high-tech, complex hardware (robotics, medical, drones) differentiates them from general contract manufacturers. ## Strategic Focus - **Eco-Design & Sustainability**: Actively working with partners and clients to reduce environmental impact and promote durable, repairable products. - **Re-Industrialization / Made in France**: A key partner of the French Fab initiative, supporting clients in relocating production to France. - **Industry 5.0 & Embedded AI**: Expanding expertise into Industry 5.0 principles and integrating AI into product design and manufacturing. - **International Expansion**: Maintains offices in the US (Boston, Austin, San Francisco) and China, with plans to grow global presence. ## Why Work Here - **Culture & Values**: Described as a "vibrant community" built on passion, excitement, and benevolence. No strict hierarchy or competitive atmosphere — a supportive environment for personal growth. - **Project Variety**: Work on diverse, cutting-edge projects across robotics, drones, medical devices, mobility, and consumer electronics — "products that will make the buzz tomorrow." - **Maker Culture**: Engineers get to prototype, assemble, and industrialize in urban micro-factories, embracing a hands-on "maker" spirit. - **Community Life**: Regular meetups, partner visits, webinars, ski trips, and evening events foster a strong community feel. - **Work Policy**: Mix of on-site, hybrid (subcontractor/freelance), and office-based roles depending on location. Offices in Paris, Lyon, Grenoble, Nantes, Boston, Austin, and San Francisco. - **Notable Perks**: Autonomy and latitude to take initiative; multi-disciplinary exchanges with experts across fields; active participation in the tech world. ## Sources 1. [kickmaker.fr](https://www.kickmaker.fr/en/) 2. [kickmaker.fr/career](https://www.kickmaker.fr/carriere/) 3. [kickmaker.fr/talent](https://www.kickmaker.fr/talent/) 4. [linkedin.com/company/kickmaker](https://www.linkedin.com/company/kickmaker) 5. [jobs.lever.co/kickmaker](https://jobs.lever.co/kickmaker) ## Other roles at Kickmaker - [Stage - Chasseur de talents (Recrutement)](https://feeny.ai/job/stage-chasseur-de-talents-recrutement-kickmaker-paris-m05grjz6pgak) — Paris, France - [Project Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/project-manager-kickmaker-seattle-hq32sj4c2a7x) — Seattle, WA - [Stage - Chasseur de talents (Sales)](https://feeny.ai/job/stage-chasseur-de-talents-sales-kickmaker-nantes-zq08pqg9ygrv) — Nantes, France - [Stage - Chasseur de talents (Sales)](https://feeny.ai/job/stage-chasseur-de-talents-sales-kickmaker-lyon-rh5y8z4hz9xy) — Lyon, France - [Stage - Chasseur de talents (Sales)](https://feeny.ai/job/stage-chasseur-de-talents-sales-kickmaker-paris-wycjfjgb7rab) — Paris, France - [Stage - Ingénieur(e) Vérification et Validation - V&V](https://feeny.ai/job/stage-ingenieur-e-verification-et-validation-v-v-kickmaker-paris-yts2aqet7m9r) — Paris, France - [Talent Acquisition Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/talent-acquisition-specialist-kickmaker-paris-dwrdj4s5qzzh) — Paris, France - [Freelance - Ingénieur FPGA](https://feeny.ai/job/freelance-ingenieur-fpga-kickmaker-paris-0fbx7gwy09p7) — Paris, France - [Freelance - Ingénieur logiciel C++ Moderne](https://feeny.ai/job/freelance-ingenieur-logiciel-c-moderne-kickmaker-paris-feb8mett5qr0) — Paris, France - [Freelance - Ingénieur Développement Logiciel C# / .NET](https://feeny.ai/job/freelance-ingenieur-developpement-logiciel-c-net-kickmaker-paris-qjx8yqp4ag1w) — Paris, France