The Lead Software Engineer, Test Automation & Virtualization Platform, will provide technical leadership in the design, development, and deployment of Python-based automation frameworks, virtual device platforms, simulation environments, and engineering productivity tools for ASP capital equipment software. This role is expected to operate with a high level of technical ownership, lead complex software initiatives, influence architecture and implementation decisions, and collaborate across Software Development, V&V, Systems Engineering, Architecture, and Quality teams. The position plays a critical role in improving software quality, reducing dependency on physical hardware, accelerating verification cycles, and enabling scalable engineering practices in a regulated medical device environment.
Key Responsibilities- Lead the design, development, and continuous improvement of scalable Python-based test automation frameworks, virtualization platforms, and engineering productivity tools.
- Own technical solutions for software-in-the-loop, simulation, emulation, and virtual device environments to reduce dependency on physical hardware during development and verification.
- Translate system, software, and verification needs into robust automation architecture, reusable frameworks, and maintainable technical solutions.
- Develop tools and capabilities for diagnostics, data acquisition, test execution, log analysis, defect investigation, and troubleshooting of ASP capital device software.
- Integrate automation and virtualization capabilities into Linux-based development environments, CI/CD pipelines, and modern software engineering workflows.
- Partner with Software Development, Verification and Validation (V&V), Systems Engineering, Architecture, Quality, and DevSecOps teams to improve engineering efficiency, software reliability, and release readiness.
- Provide technical guidance, code reviews, design inputs, and mentoring to engineers, while promoting software craftsmanship, reuse, maintainability, and engineering best practices.
- Drive resolution of complex technical issues, identify risks early, and recommend pragmatic solutions aligned with product, quality, regulatory, and business priorities.
- Contribute to documentation, design reviews, verification strategy, and process compliance required for regulated medical device software development.
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline; master’s degree preferred.
- Typically requires 8+ years of progressive software engineering experience, including hands-on software development and technical leadership responsibilities.
- Demonstrated experience designing and developing Python-based automation frameworks, engineering tools, test infrastructure, or platform capabilities.
- Experience working in Linux-based development environments with strong understanding of debugging, scripting, build systems, source control, and CI/CD practices.
- Experience with virtualization, simulation, emulation, software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, or virtual platform development is strongly preferred.
- Working knowledge of embedded software development, embedded Linux, device communication, hardware-software integration, and troubleshooting complex system behavior.
- Experience working in regulated or safety-critical product development environments is preferred; medical device software development experience is highly desirable.
- Experience mentoring engineers, leading technical workstreams, and influencing cross-functional teams without direct reporting authority.
- Technical Leadership: Ability to lead complex software engineering initiatives, make sound technical decisions, guide implementation approaches, and influence architecture, design, and execution across teams.
- Software Engineering Excellence: Strong proficiency in Python, object-oriented design, reusable framework development, debugging, code quality, source control, CI/CD, and maintainable software practices.
- Automation and Virtualization Expertise: Demonstrated capability in test automation, simulation, emulation, software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, virtual device platforms, and tools that improve development and verification efficiency.
- Embedded and Platform Understanding: Working knowledge of embedded Linux, embedded software architecture, device interfaces, hardware-software integration, and communication protocols such as I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, and TCP/IP.
- Tool and Technology Proficiency: Preferred hands-on exposure to tools and technologies such as PyTest, Robot Framework, Squish, Docker, Git, QEMU, VirtualBox, VMware, Yocto Linux, SIL/HIL environments, and container-based development workflows.
- Regulated Product Development Mindset: Ability to work within quality management systems, design control expectations, documentation practices, risk awareness, and verification discipline applicable to regulated medical device software.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to partner effectively with Software Development, V&V, Systems Engineering, Architecture, Quality, DevSecOps, and product teams to deliver practical and scalable engineering solutions.
- Ownership and Execution: Strong accountability for results, proactive risk identification, ability to manage ambiguity, drive technical closure, and deliver outcomes aligned with business and product priorities.
- Coaching and Influence: Ability to mentor engineers, raise team capability, communicate complex technical concepts clearly, and influence stakeholders through data, engineering judgment, and collaborative problem solving.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Software Engineering, or related discipline
- 8+ years progressive software engineering experience with technical leadership responsibilities
- Strong proficiency in Python and object-oriented design for framework development
- Experience designing and developing Python-based automation frameworks, engineering tools, or test infrastructure
- Experience working in Linux-based development environments, debugging, scripting, build systems, source control, and CI/CD practices
- Working knowledge of embedded software development, embedded Linux, device communication, hardware-software integration, and troubleshooting
- Experience with virtualization, simulation, emulation, software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, or virtual platform development
- Experience working in regulated or safety-critical product development environments (medical device software experience highly desirable)
- Experience mentoring engineers and leading technical workstreams, providing technical guidance and code reviews
- Hands-on exposure to tools such as PyTest, Robot Framework, Squish, Docker, Git, QEMU, VirtualBox, VMware, Yocto Linux, and SIL/HIL environments
Fortive Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Fortive and has not been reviewed or approved by Fortive.
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Parental & Family Support — Parental leave is fully paid for 12 weeks for all parents, with fertility coverage via Progyny and generous adoption/surrogacy support. Backup child and adult care plus inclusive eligibility extend support across diverse family structures.
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Healthcare Strength — Multiple PPO and HSA medical options include telemedicine and second-opinion services, alongside robust mental-health access through Spring Health with no‑cost therapy sessions. The breadth of medical and behavioral health resources is highlighted as a strength.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) provides a competitive employer match each pay period, with an additional company retirement contribution after one year of service. Financial wellness tools and an employee stock purchase plan further bolster long‑term savings.
Fortive Insights
What We Do
Fortive’s essential technology makes the world stronger, safer, and smarter. We accelerate transformation across a broad range of applications including environmental, health and safety compliance, industrial condition monitoring, next-generation product design, and healthcare safety solutions. We are a global industrial technology innovator with a startup spirit. Our forward-looking companies lead the way in software-powered workflow solutions, data-driven intelligence, AI-powered automation, and other disruptive technologies. We’re a force for progress, working alongside our customers and partners to solve challenges on a global scale, from workplace safety in the most demanding conditions to groundbreaking sustainability solutions. We are a diverse team 18,000 strong, united by a dynamic, inclusive culture and energized by limitless learning and growth. We use the proven Fortive Business System (FBS) to accelerate our positive impact. At Fortive, we believe in you. We believe in your potential—your ability to learn, grow, and make a difference. At Fortive, we believe in us. We believe in the power of people working together to solve problems no one could solve alone. At Fortive, we believe in growth. We’re honest about what’s working and what isn’t, and we never stop improving and innovating. Fortive: For you, for us, for growth.
