---
title: 'Staff Validation & Tools Engineer - Embedded Firmware at ALSO'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/staff-validation-tools-engineer-embedded-firmware-also-palo-alto-62p29m8v8z4q'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-15'
---

# Staff Validation & Tools Engineer - Embedded Firmware at ALSO

- **Company:** ALSO
- **Location:** Palo Alto, CA
- **Compensation:** $170k–$210k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-05-08
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-15
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/ridealso/d946ad5e-034d-4836-8ac5-c2c5f2808f8c/application

**Skills:** Embedded Firmware Validation, Software Quality Engineering, SIL Validation, HIL Validation, Python, Robot Framework, Pytest, Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions, RTOS, Linux, JTAG, SWD, Logic Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, UDS, CAN, CAN-FD, I2C

> Own the validation strategy, tooling architecture, and system-level quality approach for embedded firmware and software. Build and scale validation frameworks across firmware, software, connectivity, and HIL environments while mentoring engineers and integrating workflows into CI/CD pipelines.

## Job description

About ALSO. We’re ALSO, an electric mobility company originally conceived as a part of Rivian. We’re a passionate team of builders, dreamers, doers and innovators, focused on creating entirely new (not to mention, innovative and delightful) vertically integrated, small EVs designed to meet the global mobility challenges of today and tomorrow. Our mission is to inspire everyone to ride ALSO—replacing many local car, truck and SUV miles with ones on vehicles that are more affordable, more enjoyable and 10-50x more efficient.

As a Staff Validation & Tools Engineer - Embedded Firmware, you'll own the validation strategy, tooling architecture, and system-level quality approach for our flagship and next-generation products. You'll build and scale validation frameworks spanning firmware, software, connectivity, mobile, cloud-adjacent systems, and HIL environments, working closely with Hardware, Firmware, Systems, Product, Mobile, Cloud, and Test Engineering to improve testability, traceability, release readiness, and early issue detection.

This role is ideal for someone who can set technical direction, build practical validation infrastructure, mentor engineers, and help create a quality-first culture in a fast-moving product environment.

## What You'll Do

- Define the technical vision, architecture, and roadmap for embedded firmware and software validation across product programs
- Design, scale, and maintain SIL and HIL validation infrastructure to support automated system-level testing, regression coverage, release readiness, and issue reproduction
- Build and evolve validation frameworks that improve test coverage, execution speed, reliability, traceability, and quality reporting across firmware and software releases
- Establish clear validation metrics, including test coverage, pass/fail trends, defect escape rate, regression health, and release readiness indicators
- Lead end-to-end validation planning for new features, firmware releases, connectivity workflows, and system-level product behavior
- Partner with Hardware, Firmware, Systems, Mobile, Cloud, and Product teams to ensure requirements are testable, risks are understood, and validation plans are aligned before implementation
- Lead technical root-cause analysis for complex system issues across hardware, firmware, embedded software, connectivity, and test infrastructure
- Develop and improve automated test tooling using Python-based frameworks such as Robot Framework or Pytest, and integrate validation workflows into CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitLab CI, or similar)
- Use SIL/HIL environments, embedded debug tools, logs, sniffers, and hardware interfaces to reproduce, isolate, and resolve defects
- Mentor junior and mid-level engineers on validation strategy, debugging methods, test design, and quality ownership, and communicate validation status and release readiness to engineering and product leadership

## What You'll Bring

- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field
- 8+ years in embedded software validation, firmware testing, software quality engineering, or validation tools development, with a track record leading validation strategy or test architecture for complex embedded, connected, automotive, or IoT platforms
- Experience building or scaling automated validation frameworks for firmware, embedded software, system-level testing, or hardware-in-the-loop environments, with hands-on testing of RTOS-based or Linux-based systems
- Strong understanding of embedded architectures, microcontrollers, bootloaders, firmware update flows, hardware/software interfaces, and board-level debug workflows, using tools like JTAG, serial consoles, SWD, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes
- Experience validating connectivity, location services, or wireless technologies such as cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, BLE, or GNSS
- Strong programming and scripting skills, especially in Python, with experience using automation frameworks such as Robot Framework or Pytest
- Working knowledge of CI/CD systems and automated validation workflows (Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions, or similar)
- Experience with SIL and HIL validation environments, including test execution, automation, reporting, defect reproduction, and regression analysis
- Familiarity with test management, requirements management, and bug tracking tools for release reporting and quality metrics, plus hands-on experience with automotive protocols (UDS, XCP, CAN, CAN-FD, I2C, SPI, UART, USB, USB-PD) and network analysis tools like Vector CANoe or CANalyzer
- Ability to lead root-cause analysis across hardware, firmware, software, and connectivity, with strong communication skills to explain validation strategy and release readiness to stakeholders

The salary for this position ranges from $170,000 - $210,000 per year, depending on experience, qualifications, and location.

## Perks & Benefits

- Robust health coverage — excellent health, dental and vision insurance covered up to 100% by ALSO with FSA & HSA options
- One Medical membership and dedicated insurance advocates
- Rich fertility and family building benefits with Progyny
- Flexible time off
- 401(k) match

## #LI-MH1

Why ALSO. We’re passionate about helping the world find a better way to get there—wherever it is you’re headed. We’re located in the heart of Silicon Valley and have brought together a world-class team from some of the biggest brands in the technology, automotive, cycling, outdoor recreation and retail spaces. Together we’re working hands-on to imagine, design and build an entirely new solution to a global set of transportation challenges.

## About ALSO

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: ALSO is an electric mobility company designing and building small, vertically integrated electric vehicles for moving people and goods, originally incubated within Rivian.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series C, Unicorn)
- **Headquarters**: Palo Alto, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2025
- **Founders**: Not publicly disclosed; the company was formed as a stealth team within Rivian before spinning out as an independent entity.

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Alternative Fuel Vehicle Manufacturing / Electric Mobility
- **Target customers**: B2C (urban consumers) and B2B (logistics, delivery, and transportation partners)
- **Mission**: To build the world’s best small vehicles for moving people and goods, driven and autonomous, with a focus on sustainability and rethinking transportation from first principles.

## Products & Services
Based on publicly available information, ALSO has not yet announced specific product names beyond the “TM” and “TM-” references on its website. The company is developing a vertically integrated technology platform that spans motors, batteries, electronics, and software. Its product lineup includes small EVs for both consumer and commercial use, with a flagship vehicle set to launch in early 2026.

- **[Flagship Small EV (unnamed)]**: A vertically integrated, small electric vehicle for urban and commercial use. It combines in-house powertrain, battery, electronics, and autonomy software. Launch expected in early 2026, initially in the U.S. and Europe. [ridealso.com](https://ridealso.com/pages/news)
- **Commercial Platform**: ALSO works with logistics, delivery, and transportation partners to deliver custom solutions at scale. [ridealso.com](https://ridealso.com/pages/company)

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: $1–2.5B (unicorn status) as of March 2026 (latest valuation per Dealroom). [dealroom.co](https://dealroom.co/companies/ridealso-com/)
- **Total Funding**: $505M across four rounds.
  - Corporate Round (Feb 2025) – 1 investor
  - Series B (Mar 2025) – $105M led by Eclipse
  - Venture Round (Aug 2025) – $200M led by Greenoaks
  - Series C (Mar 2026) – $200M led by Greenoaks, with participation from other investors
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Eclipse Ventures, Greenoaks. ALSO works with commercial partners in logistics and transportation sectors.
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew 290.9% year-over-year to 205 employees (LinkedIn, as of mid-2026). The company is actively hiring 48 open positions across engineering, product, and operations. It operates in five countries (U.S., Taiwan, U.K., South Africa, China). Strong talent inflow from Rivian (56 employees), Tesla, Apple, and Cruise. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ridealso)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Vertically Integrated Technology**: In-house development of motors, batteries, electronics, and software enables a tightly optimized, high-performance EV platform.
- **Rivian Pedigree**: Originally incubated within Rivian, benefiting from automotive rigor and advanced software/autonomy expertise.
- **Focus on Small EVs**: Addresses a rapidly growing market segment where 80% of car trips are under 15 miles, with urban population projected to reach 7 billion by 2050.
- **Strong Financial Backing**: $505M in funding from top-tier investors, providing ample runway for product launch and scaling.

## Strategic Focus
- **Product Launch**: Introduce the flagship small EV in early 2026, first in the U.S. and Europe, then globally.
- **Commercial Expansion**: Deepen partnerships with logistics, delivery, and transportation companies to scale custom vehicle solutions.
- **Technology Platform**: Continue to advance in-house autonomy, sensing, and connectivity features to differentiate the user experience.
- **Talent Growth**: Rapidly hiring across engineering, design, and operations to support product development and future scaling.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-Driven Culture**: Employees are described as “builders, technologists, designers, and dreamers” focused on creating sustainable, delightful mobility.
- **High-Growth Environment**: Headcount has tripled year-over-year, offering early employees significant impact and career acceleration.
- **Top-Tier Team**: Colleagues come from Rivian, Tesla, Apple, Cruise, and other elite companies, fostering a culture of craft and excellence.
- **Technical Depth**: Opportunities to work on cutting-edge EV hardware, software, autonomy, and battery systems. Open roles include Senior Software Engineer (ML), Motor Controls Engineer, Battery Design Engineer, and Staff Reliability Engineer.
- **Office Locations**: Hubs in Palo Alto (vehicle engineering, software, design), Seattle (customer experience & commerce), and Taichung, Taiwan (supply chain & logistics). The work policy is not explicitly stated but likely hybrid or office-first given the hardware focus.
- **Perks**: Not publicly detailed, but as a well-funded unicorn, competitive compensation and equity packages are standard.

## Sources
1. [ridealso.com](https://ridealso.com/pages/company)
2. [ridealso.com](https://ridealso.com/pages/news)
3. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ridealso)
4. [dealroom.co](https://dealroom.co/companies/ridealso-com/)
5. [ridealso.com](https://ridealso.com/)

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