embedded software test and automation engineer.

Our Client is seeking an Embedded Software Test & Automation Engineer to join their Enhanced Central Gateway (ECG) software development and verification team. Located fully onsite at the Ottawa Research and Engineering Centre in Kanata, ON, this role is responsible for designing, automating, and executing comprehensive software tests that validate the foundational networking, security, inter-process communication (IPC), and power management systems powering next-generation connected vehicles.

In this role, you will be an integral member of the Enhanced Central Gateway (ECG) team, which delivers the core software infrastructure enabling high-bandwidth automotive Ethernet connectivity and advanced vehicle application features. You will design and execute test plans from functional software requirements, build automated test scripts and test applications using Python and C/C++, and interface with automated test harnesses to validate multi-threaded, distributed embedded systems. Working closely with product owners, embedded developers, and systems architects, you will drive defect triage, perform root-cause analysis, and expand automated test coverage across low-level gateway components.

Advantages
Core Gateway Infrastructure: Directly validate the central vehicle gateway powering automotive Ethernet, secure communications, IPC, and distributed control systems.

Automation-Centric Role: Architect and maintain scalable automated test suites and test harnesses using Python and C/C++.

High-Visibility Quality Impact: Own end-to-end defect tracking, regression testing, and code coverage reporting across mission-critical automotive software layers.

Responsibilities
1. Test Design, Planning & Requirements Validation
Interface with product owners, embedded software developers, and systems architects to translate technical requirements and software architecture documents into formal test designs.

Author, document, and validate comprehensive software verification plans, test cases, and pass/fail criteria for ECG components.

Ensure test strategies validate distributed, multi-threaded system behaviors, edge cases, power management states, and IPC mechanisms.

2. Automated Testing, Scripting & Framework Execution
Develop and maintain automated test scripts and verification tools using Python and relevant standard libraries.

Write and maintain test applications and test harnesses in C/C++ or Python to interface with existing embedded test frameworks.

Execute automated and manual test runs across simulated environments, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) setups, and physical gateway boards.

Maintain regression test suites, test libraries, and continuous test environments to support frequent feature releases.

3. Defect Analysis, Coverage & Continuous Improvement
Perform rigorous root-cause analysis on software anomalies, log failures, and triage defects using Jira.

Verify defect fixes, validate software builds, and confirm system stability prior to release.

Prepare, track, and analyze test execution and code coverage reports to evaluate release readiness.

Participate in continuous quality improvement initiatives, code reviews, and Agile team stand-ups.

Qualifications
Core Experience & Education
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related discipline.

Experience: 3+ years of professional experience in software development and/or test automation, preferably focused on embedded systems.

Programming Skills:

Python: Highly proficient in writing, reading, and utilizing standard libraries for automation, test harnesses, and data parsing.

C / C++: Working knowledge and ability to read existing C/C++ code; ability to write basic C/C++ test applications is an asset.

System Concepts: Practical working knowledge of distributed, multi-threaded systems and concurrent programming concepts.

Verification Fundamentals: Solid understanding of manual and automated software testing methodologies, verification lifecycles, and test management tooling.

Preferred Qualifications (Nice to Have)
Automotive Protocols: Hands-on exposure to automotive networking protocols, including CAN / CAN-FD and Automotive Ethernet.

Operating Systems: Familiarity with embedded operating systems (such as QNX or Linux) and Android Automotive.

Frameworks & Tools: Hands-on experience with C++ unit testing frameworks (e.g., GoogleTest/GoogleMock) and automated test execution environments.

Project Tools: Practical experience using Jira for issue tracking and Agile task management.

Soft Skills & Professional Attributes
Analytical Problem Solving: Methodical thinker capable of isolating complex timing, concurrency, or communication bugs.

Time Management: Able to prioritize tasks efficiently and deliver high-quality test coverage against tight deadlines.

Clear Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for cross-functional defect reporting and technical documentation.

Summary
Our Client is seeking an Embedded Software Test & Automation Engineer to join their Enhanced Central Gateway (ECG) software development and verification team. Located fully onsite at the Ottawa Research and Engineering Centre in Kanata, ON, this role is responsible for designing, automating, and executing comprehensive software tests that validate the foundational networking, security, inter-process communication (IPC), and power management systems powering next-generation connected vehicles.

Randstad Canada is committed to fostering a workforce reflective of all peoples of Canada. As a result, we are committed to developing and implementing strategies to increase the equity, diversity and inclusion within the workplace by examining our internal policies, practices, and systems throughout the entire lifecycle of our workforce, including its recruitment, retention and advancement for all employees. In addition to our deep commitment to respecting human rights, we are dedicated to positive actions to affect change to ensure everyone has full participation in the workforce free from any barriers, systemic or otherwise, especially equity-seeking groups who are usually underrepresented in Canada's workforce, including those who identify as women or non-binary/gender non-conforming; Indigenous or Aboriginal Peoples; persons with disabilities (visible or invisible) and; members of visible minorities, racialized groups and the LGBTQ2+ community.

Randstad Canada is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible workplace for all its candidates and employees by supporting their accessibility and accommodation needs throughout the employment lifecycle. We ask that all job applications please identify any accommodation requirements by sending an email to View email address on randstad.com to ensure their ability to fully participate in the interview process.

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