At least 5 years
The Embedded Triage Engineer will evaluate performance data and test results from on-road and simulation testing to provide clear, actionable feedback to development teams. This role focuses on embedded system triage, forensic analysis of autonomous vehicle behaviors, and counterfactual simulations to improve safety-critical systems. You will help transform and evolve system triage and forensics processes, working with large-scale, safety-critical software and complex development environments, primarily supporting autonomous and heavy truck platforms.
Responsibilities- Perform data triage and root cause analysis for system anomalies and test escapes across autonomous and embedded systems.
- Track, document, and report metrics related to system anomalies, test escapes, and software quality, including defect ratios and software heatmap viewpoints.
- Leverage 3D visualization tools to analyze sensor data and uncover complex software and hardware issues, identifying clear root causes.
- Analyze autonomous vehicle behaviors from public road and closed-course testing to understand system performance and safety implications.
- Utilize simulation tools to identify new edge-case scenarios and convert them into datasets that enhance reinforcement learning and training models.
- Perform counterfactual simulations of selected events and share critical analysis with Safety, System Verification & Validation, and Machine Learning teams to mitigate unsafe system behaviors.
- Collaborate on tooling requirements for efficient triage, root cause analysis, metric reporting, and data visualization to quickly extract insights about software maturity.
- Maintain and optimize the defect management process, including defect workflows, ticket quality standards, and accurate reflection of defect states.
- Support rapid integration and deployment schedules to enable consistent software stack releases for extended testing teams.
- Work closely within the triage team and collaborate cross-functionally to provide a swift, responsive feedback loop to core development and automation teams.
- Track and follow up on high-priority and blocking defects, ensuring continuous progress and timely resolution.
- Classify and triage minimum risk maneuver (MRM) software issues at the first level, determining what happened and categorizing the events.
- Perform deeper second-level investigations into issues to determine root cause, validate findings through testing, and document outcomes.
- Support startup and deployment of software at the beginning of test days, ensuring systems are ready for scheduled truck operations.
- Provide on-call support as needed for issues encountered by drivers and automation teams during truck operations, including robotic mode triage.
- Contribute to understanding and managing the flow of information from trucks operating during the day, late at night, and on weekends, aligning triage activities with test schedules.
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, systems engineering, or a related technical field.
- 3–5+ years of industry experience leading test programs with a focus on system triage, defect tracking, and impact analysis.
- Hands-on experience with complex embedded systems, including ADAS technologies such as autonomous driving software architecture, sensors, networking, compute hardware, and control systems.
- Experience working with software development tools such as build systems, containers, and source control.
- Experience developing or supporting software for real-time or safety-critical systems.
- Experience working with machine-learned software components and related workflows.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with high attention to detail and the ability to learn quickly in unstructured environments.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with evolving software and hardware infrastructure.
- Experience with ADAS and autonomous systems, including sensors and embedded software.
- Ability to perform triage at multiple levels, from initial classification of issues to deep root cause analysis.
- Familiarity with defect tracking tools such as Jira.
- Ability to interpret and analyze ROS logs and related robotics data.
- Experience testing autonomous vehicles, ROS-based robotics systems, or ADAS features.
- Experience with configuration management for safety-critical systems.
- Understanding of systems engineering principles and verification and validation methodologies.
- Experience designing and commissioning custom hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test fixtures.
- Experience with lidar and other advanced sensor technologies used in autonomous and heavy truck platforms.
- Background in public road forensic analysis of robotic disengagements and incident investigation.
- Experience collaborating across safety, machine learning, verification and validation, and core development teams.
- Interest in and exposure to up-and-coming AI technologies and training AI models for autonomous systems.
This role is based in an office and test environment with regular interaction with autonomous heavy trucks and advanced sensor and embedded technologies. You will work on-site in the Ann Arbor area at least a couple of days per week or as needed to support drivers and the automation team with issues encountered on the trucks. The position supports trucks scheduled to operate during the day, late at night, and on weekends, requiring flexibility for shift work to align triage activities with test operations. Typical shifts include a second shift from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and a night shift from 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m, and you may work overnight at times. The environment is fast-paced and dynamic, focused on startup and deployment of software at the beginning of test days, with close collaboration between engineering, testing, and triage teams. You will work with tools such as 3D visualization systems, simulation platforms, ROS, and defect tracking software, contributing to cutting-edge AI and autonomous driving technology in a collaborative, innovation-driven culture.
Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Ann Arbor, MI.
Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $50.00 - $65.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace TypeThis is a hybrid position in Ann Arbor,MI.
Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Aug 4, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
Posting ID: JP-006170172