Verification & Validation Lead

About SteerAISteerAI is an autonomous mobility technology company powered by VentureOne, the commercialization arm of the Advanced Technology Research Council. SteerAI’s advanced AI-powered autonomy stack, developed by the Technology Innovation Institute, empowers the logistics and defense industries by turning industrial vehicles into autonomous powerhouses that can handle complex off-road missions, transform operations and protect organizations' most important assets: their workforce.About the roleAs the V&V Lead, you will be responsible for defining and driving the verification and validation strategy across SteerAI’s autonomy platform. You will work closely with engineering, product, safety, and operations teams to ensure our autonomous systems meet technical, safety, and customer requirements.This role requires a strong understanding of autonomous systems, software validation, system engineering, and operational deployment. The ideal candidate combines technical depth with the ability to build scalable processes in a fast-growing startup environment.Key ResponsibilitiesV&V Strategy and LeadershipDefine and own the overall Verification & Validation strategy for SteerAI’s autonomous vehicle platformEstablish validation methodologies, processes, tools, and metrics across the autonomy stackDefine acceptance criteria and readiness gates for software releases, vehicle platforms, and customer deploymentsBuild and lead the V&V roadmap aligned with company objectives and product milestonesSystem ValidationLead end-to-end validation of autonomous vehicle capabilities, including perception, localization, planning, control, and vehicle integrationDefine and manage validation campaigns using simulation, software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, closed-course testing, and real-world deploymentsEnsure traceability between requirements, implementation, test scenarios, and validation resultsAnalyze system performance, identify gaps, and drive improvements with engineering teamsAutonomous Vehicle TestingDevelop scalable testing methodologies for autonomous driving scenarios and operational design domainsDefine scenario-based testing strategies covering nominal and edge-case behaviorsSupport fleet deployment readiness and customer acceptance testingDrive data-driven validation using operational data and KPIsSafety and QualityCollaborate with system engineering and safety teams to ensure compliance with relevant standards and best practicesContribute to safety cases and evidence generation for autonomous system deploymentEstablish quality gates and release criteria for autonomous capabilitiesTeam Building and CollaborationBuild and grow the V&V capability within SteerAICollaborate closely with autonomy, platform, vehicle integration, and product teamsPromote engineering discipline, continuous improvement, and a validation mindset across the organization.Qualifications 8+ years of experience in verification, validation, testing, or system engineering rolesExperience validating complex software and/or autonomous systemsStrong understanding of autonomous vehicle architectures and development processesExperience defining test strategies for safety-critical systemsExperience with simulation, scenario testing, data analysis, and real-world testing campaignsStrong understanding of software development lifecycle and release processesAbility to work across multidisciplinary engineering teamsExperience in autonomous vehicles, robotics, ADAS, or aerospace systemsExperience with ISO 26262, automotive safety processes, or equivalent safety frameworksExperience with requirements management and traceability toolsExperience building V&V teams or processes from the ground upFamiliarity with ROS, simulation platforms, and autonomous driving datasetsExperience supporting customer deployments and field operationsWhat we offerWe offer a competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits package, and the opportunity to work alongside some of the brightest minds in the Autonomous Robotics industry. Our work culture is collaborative and inclusive, with a strong focus on innovation and personal growth.If you're passionate about advancing the frontiers of Autonomous Robotics and eager to leave a lasting mark in this domain, seize the opportunity and apply today to join us in sculpting the future of this dynamic field!