Autonomous Systems Validation Lead

At Bear Flag Robotics, we are building incredible products that growers need to sustainably farm into the future. Our team is building autonomous systems for self-driving tractors. Using cutting-edge technology, we are changing the agricultural world. That means you have an unprecedented opportunity to help us while doing your life’s best work.

Bear Flag Robotics is a part of the Automation and Autonomy group at John Deere. Acquired in August 2021, Bear Flag Robotics has a growing portfolio of projects in the autonomy space and is looking for an Autonomous Systems Validation Lead to join our team.

Our team is based in the Bay Area with some remote employees. We have diverse backgrounds from many industries and work together closely to move quickly alongside our Deere counterparts. Our current focus is on building autonomy systems for crops grown in California. This hybrid role will require you to be in our Santa Clara office at least one day per week.

As the Autonomous Systems Validation Lead, you will be at the forefront of our efforts to ensure the performance, safety, and quality of our systems. You will play a pivotal role in developing and implementing comprehensive system test plans, orchestrating meticulous testing and documentation processes, and establishing clear testing metrics and strategies. Your leadership will be essential in driving final integration testing to uphold our quality and safety benchmarks. Additionally, you will collaborate across engineering teams to ensure that our testing practices align with the requirements,  design, and implementation of our products.

Position Responsibilities:

• • Develop and own system test plans and cases that stress our assumptions and validate our system performance and safety.
  • Coordinate and ensure testing is thoroughly executed and documented per the test plan and program timeline.
  • Own clear metrics and strategy around the unit, integration, automated end-to-end and manual testing and quality benchmarks.
  • Create and maintain processes for efficient software and hardware testing practices.
  • Work with engineering to develop and implement automated testing strategies.
  • Lead final integration testing to ensure releases meet quality and safety targets.
  • Manage issue/bug intake, classification, triage, and tracking.
  • Create and present quality assurance plans to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Work closely with software engineers, systems engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment between design and implementation.
  • Work with hardware, software, and operations teams to understand quality and testing requirements.
  • Work with functional safety to ensure system testing and documentation meet safety requirements.

Position Requirements:

• • • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
    • 7+ years of hands-on experience in hardware and/or software QA/QC/Test, 2+ in a leadership or management role.
    • Prior experience leading and managing V&V function through full product development lifecycle.
    • Experience with software-based testing approaches, including simulation and fault injection.
    • Experience with both hardware-in-the-loop (HIL)  and in-the-field system testing.
    • Experience running or engaging actively with release management processes.
    • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.
    • Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
    • Strong project management skills and the ability to maintain order across multiple workstreams.

Preferred Skills:

• • Deep understanding of functional safety technical solutions and verification techniques based on ISO 25119, ISO 26262 or similar standards.
  • Familiarity with testing tools and methodologies for autonomous vehicle systems.
  • Knowledge of autonomous vehicle technologies, sensors, and algorithms.
  • Familiarity with continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) practices.
  • Prior experience in a technical leadership or management role.
  • Prior experience with validation of systems that incorporate machine learning.

$160,000 – $235,000 a year

 Our job titles may span more than one career level. The starting annual base pay for this role is between $160,000 – $235,000, along with eligibility for Bear Flag Robotic’s bonus and benefit programs. The actual annual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs, and market demands. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

Bear Flag offers a competitive compensation package that consists of a base salary, annual and incentive bonuses, healthcare, 401(k), and additional benefits such as a health & wellness stipend, a cell phone & internet stipend, open vacation, and flexible work hours and location.