Lead Software Engineer, Test Automation

Job Summary

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.

Education and Experience

• 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.

Role Competencies Requirements

• 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.

Fortive Corporation Overview

Fortive's essential technology makes the world safer and more productive. We accelerate transformation in high-impact fields like workplace safety, build environments, a