System Test Engineer

Senior System Test Engineer 

Parallel Systems is building autonomous, battery-electric rail vehicles to modernize freight transportation. We are looking for a hands-on System Test Engineer to own hardware and vehicle validations at our HQ and contract manufacturer, ensuring every system meets performance, safety, and regulatory requirements before release. 

This role sits at the intersection of systems engineering, hardware validation, and factory operations. You will work closely with internal Responsible Engineers and other stakeholders to define how vehicles are tested, execute validation campaigns, and maintain rigorous traceability from top-level requirements through subsystem and vehicle verification. 

Responsibilities 

• Own vehicle-level and subsystem validation activities, including overall system validation site acceptance testing, and customer integration testing 
• Design, build, and operate test benches and related V&V infrastructure 
• Plan and execute system integration and validation campaigns across mechanical, electrical, controls, and embedded software systems 
• Plan and execute environmental qualification or DVP campaigns for vehicle and subsystems 
• Work with Responsible Engineers to decompose top-level system requirements into actionable test requirements and verification plans 
• Manage and maintain requirements traceability from system requirements through validation evidence using a structured requirements database 
• Define and document test procedures, test reports, and compliance artifacts with a high level of rigor and attention to detail 
• Ensure hardware systems, including firmware and software interfaces, are tested correctly prior to system deployment 
• Translate engineering and integration efforts into clear regulatory and safety documentation aligned with governing standards 
• Provide feedback across the design lifecycle to improve testability, reliability, and system robustness 

Success in This Role 

• After 30 Days: You have developed a strong understanding of the vehicle architecture, subsystem interfaces, and system requirements. You have reviewed existing validation processes and identified key gaps in tooling, traceability, and documentation rigor. 
• After 60 Days: You have built up a test bench with MVP functionality You have executed subsystem validation activities and understand the hardware, firmware, and software interactions across the vehicle. 
• After 90 Days: You have fully integrated a test bench as part of regression testing. You have produced detailed test plans and reports with clear traceability from system requirements to validation evidence, and you have implemented measurable improvements in how vehicles are verified prior to release. 

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Controls, Aerospace, Computer Science, or related field 
• 5+ years of experience working on complex hardware systems 
• Direct experience testing electromechanical systems that integrate hardware, firmware, and software interfaces 
• Strong foundation in electromechanical fundamentals and system integration 
• Experience with system and subsystem validation such as acceptance testing, environmental validation, integration testing, and deployment testing 
• Experience working in a hardware lab, fabrication, maintenance, or factory environment 
• Demonstrated ability to create structured, audit-ready documentation for safety and compliance purposes 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience with HITL systems
• Experience with classical systems engineering practices including requirements management, functional architecture, and DFMEA 
• Experience managing or administering a requirements database and maintaining verification traceability 
• Experience integrating hardware and software systems in a regulated or safety-critical environment 
• Track record of implementing process improvements across engineering or manufacturing systems 
• Experience with Python or similar programming languages 
• Familiarity with CAD tools such as SolidWorks