--- title: 'Manager, Software Core Firmware Validation at Zoox' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/manager-software-core-firmware-validation-zoox-san-diego-p9yrfk0qfppa' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-08' --- # Manager, Software Core Firmware Validation at Zoox - **Company:** Zoox - **Location:** San Diego, CA - **Compensation:** $195k–$269k - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** hybrid - **Posted:** 2026-06-18 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-08 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/zoox/6fbd5497-3958-40f2-adbf-fe2218d04c28 ## Job description In the role of SW Core Firmware Validation Engineering Manager, you will be helping to define and execute the strategic verification and validation vision of the software system engineering teams at Zoox. You will direct the activities of a team of Software core component verification and validation engineers while coordinating and collaborating with other firmware, software, release management and vehicle engineering teams at Zoox. You will strive to develop industry-best testing methodologies targeting on-vehicle bootloaders, device drivers, networking stacks, operating systems, modern C++ frameworks, middleware, libraries and system services running on POSIX and non-POSIX real-time operating systems with an unwavering focus on safety-assurance and reliability. In this role, you will: - Lead a group of component verification and validation engineers and be responsible for the team’s strategy, productivity, and impact within SW Core  as well as Zoox as a whole - Provide discipline and rigor in the application of industry best practices around test design, test development, test automation, defect management, and reporting - Refine, propagate, and promote the best practices of firmware validation teams, elevating the firmware validation activities across Zoox - Coaching and career development, enabling team members to grow individually and in their ability to execute on complex V&V activities together - Review and refine software requirements in the interest of testability - Manage the transition between component-level V&V and vehicle-level V&V ## Qualifications - B.S or higher in Automotive, Aerospace, Robotics, Electrical, Mechanical, Computer Science or Systems Engineering. - 8+ years with 2+ years of leading direct reports - Experience leading the testing and release management of high-assurance software - ## Experience with software-defined vehicle architecture - Experience with project, task, and performance management of a team of test engineers - Experience tackling complex configuration management challenges - Experience with software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop testing strategies Bonus Qualifications - C++ expertise - Automotive-centric software frameworks (e.g. AUTOSAR), development/process standards (e.g. MISRA, ASPICE) and physical interfaces/protocols (Automotive Ethernet, CAN bus, UDS/DoIP/DoCAN) - Validation of bootloaders, secure boot, secure firmware update (e.g. OTA) - Validation of embedded real-time and POSIX operating systems and applications built upon them ## About Zoox Zoox is developing the first ground-up, fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the supporting ecosystem required to bring this technology to market. Sitting at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and design, Zoox aims to provide the next generation of mobility-as-a-service in urban environments. We’re looking for top talent that shares our passion and wants to be part of a fast-moving and highly execution-oriented team. Follow us on LinkedIn Accommodations If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please reach out to accommodations@zoox.com or your assigned recruiter. A Final Note: You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills. ## About Zoox ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Zoox is building a fully autonomous, all-electric, purpose-built robotaxi service to give the world a better way to ride. - **Entity Type**: Private (independent subsidiary of Amazon, acquired in 2020) - **Headquarters**: Foster City, California, USA (with offices in Las Vegas, San Francisco, Austin, Miami, Atlanta, Los Angeles) - **Founded**: 2014 - **Founders**: Not specified in provided sources ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Autonomous ride‑hailing / Self‑driving electric vehicles - **Target customers**: B2C – individual riders seeking safe, convenient, and sustainable urban transportation - **Mission**: “Give the world a better way to ride” – providing safer, cleaner, autonomous ride‑hailing for everyone [zoox.com](https://zoox.com/about) ## Products & Services - **Zoox Robotaxi**: A purpose‑built, fully autonomous electric vehicle designed from the ground up for ride‑hailing. Features bidirectional driving, four‑wheel steering, and no steering wheel or pedals. The service handles all charging, maintenance, and fleet management – riders simply get in and enjoy the ride [zoox.com](https://zoox.com). ## Market Standing - **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not disclosed (Zoox is a private subsidiary of Amazon) - **Key Metric**: Not publicly available (revenue and funding details are not reported as a stand‑alone entity) - **Notable Investors / Partners**: Amazon (parent company) - **Growth Signals**: - Received authorization from the Nevada DMV to operate robotaxis on public roads [zoox.com/about](https://zoox.com/about) - Expanded testing and operations to Las Vegas, Seattle, San Francisco, and other cities - Continues to scale its engineering and operations teams (multiple open roles on the careers page as of 2026) ## Competitive Advantages - **Purpose‑built design**: Unlike retrofitted vehicles, Zoox’s robotaxi is designed from scratch for autonomous ride‑hailing (symmetrical, bidirectional, four‑wheel steering, no driver controls) - **Amazon backing**: Deep financial resources, supply chain expertise, and cloud infrastructure (AWS) support rapid development and scaling - **Full‑stack autonomy**: In‑house AI, computer vision, and sensing stack integrated directly into the vehicle design - **Safety‑first approach**: Comprehensive testing, safety‑critical system design, and focus on public road validation ## Strategic Focus - Achieving commercial launch of the Zoox ride‑hailing service in select U.S. cities - Continuing to mature the autonomous driving system through real‑world testing and simulation - Expanding the “Go‑to‑Market” strategy and building out operations teams (see CRM Lead, Go‑to‑Market Manager roles) [jobs.lever.co/zoox](https://jobs.lever.co/zoox) - Scaling manufacturing and prototyping to prepare for fleet deployment ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Diverse, supportive community with inclusion‑focused strategy. Crew‑led groups for personal and professional development. Emphasis on trust, humility, and openness [zoox.com/careers](https://zoox.com/careers) - **Work environment**: Hybrid? The careers page lists many roles as “On‑site” in Foster City, CA, with other office locations available. In‑office perks include a famous food program with daily changing local and sustainable dishes, plus a busy calendar of events and sports teams. - **Benefits**: Comprehensive health plans (Cigna), mental health support, wellbeing program, flexible time off, generous family planning and caregiver support, and a commitment to work‑life balance. - **Growth opportunities**: Work on cutting‑edge autonomous vehicle technology alongside some of the brightest minds in AI, engineering, computer vision, and more. Offers internships and re‑entry programs (via Path Forward) for career returners. - **Recruitment process**: Uses AI tools to assist in reviewing applications but final decisions are human. No fees are charged at any stage – watch for recruitment scams [zoox.com/journal/landing-a-job-zoox](https://zoox.com/journal/landing-a-job-zoox) ## Sources 1. [Zoox official website](https://zoox.com) 2. [Zoox About page](https://zoox.com/about) 3. [Zoox Careers page](https://zoox.com/careers) 4. [Zoox job openings on Lever](https://jobs.lever.co/zoox) 5. [Zoox hiring and interview process](https://zoox.com/journal/landing-a-job-zoox) ## Other roles at Zoox - [Sensing and Perception System Safety Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sensing-and-perception-system-safety-engineer-zoox-foster-city-9b41z224ntq6) — Foster City, CA - [Lead Data Platform Engineer - Enterprise, Data & AI](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-data-platform-engineer-enterprise-data-ai-zoox-foster-city-61c1tdms6spr) — Foster City, CA - [Software Engineer - Collision Avoidance System Metrics](https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-collision-avoidance-system-metrics-zoox-foster-city-9xfh2gw0nayv) — Foster City, CA - [Contract Student Worker - Autonomy Safety Data Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/contract-student-worker-autonomy-safety-data-engineer-zoox-foster-city-vb29ss0k5hgs) — Foster City, CA - [Software Engineer, Operational Tools](https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-operational-tools-zoox-foster-city-mmfc9jxj9vgs) — Foster City, CA - [Diagnostics Serviceability Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/diagnostics-serviceability-engineer-zoox-foster-city-zpp032643x45) — Foster City, CA - [Manager, Fleet Operations Training](https://feeny.ai/job/manager-fleet-operations-training-zoox-foster-city-8vfyx98j41fz) — Foster City, CA - [Embedded Software Engineer - Drive Systems](https://feeny.ai/job/embedded-software-engineer-drive-systems-zoox-foster-city-whvhzqychegb) — Foster City, CA - [Senior Staff / Principal Software Engineer - Freeway Autonomy](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-staff-principal-software-engineer-freeway-autonomy-zoox-foster-city-y93sb485dj53) — Foster City, CA - [Senior Supplier Quality Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-supplier-quality-engineer-zoox-foster-city-d9gmdemvwa6b) — Foster City, CA