Validation & Verification Lead (AI-First)

Location: Toronto or Remote, ON, Canada

Department: General

Who We Are 

ZOLEO is building the next generation of connected communication devices — integrating hardware, firmware, mobile applications, and cloud services into one seamless global experience. 

We design technology that keeps people connected when it matters most, combining satellite and cellular networks into a reliable, global messaging ecosystem. Our products are trusted by adventurers, remote workers, and emergency responders around the world. We’re driven by the challenge of bridging the gap between devices, apps, and cloud services to create a truly unified user experience — one that works anywhere. 
 

Why This Role Matters 
 
As the Validation & Verification Lead, you will be the first person at ZOLEO with dedicated ownership of test readiness and hardware verification. This is a foundational role — you’re not stepping into an established process; you’re building the one that ZOLEO’s hardware organization runs on as we transition from a reseller model to a product-led company with full IP ownership. 

Reporting to the Director, Hardware, this role works closely with the Hardware Systems Lead, E2E Integration Engineer, firmware and mobile engineering teams, and our external design house and contract manufacturer. You are the signal that tells us whether we’re ready to ship — and that signal needs to be objective, traceable, and defensible. 

What’s In It for You 

• First-Mover Ownership. Build ZOLEO’s hardware verification capability from the ground up. The infrastructure, gate criteria, and compatibility matrix you create will shape how we ship hardware for years. 

• Real-World Stakes. Our devices keep people safe in remote and high-risk environments. The quality of your work directly affects reliability in the field, from mountain summits to offshore emergencies. Your standards are their safety net. 

• Infrastructure Ownership. HIL automation is a priority for the hardware team, and you’ll help lead it. Working alongside the E2E Integration Engineer and Director of Hardware, you’ll shape the automated test environment that scales validation capability across the organization. 

• Cross-Stack Visibility. This role spans hardware, firmware, mobile, and back-end compatibility. You’ll own the full device–firmware–mobile matrix and gain deep product knowledge across the stack. 

• A Culture That Values Rigour. We value curiosity, documentation, and shared ownership. It’s a team that rewards precision, clear judgement, and the discipline to say “not yet” when the evidence isn’t there. 

What You’ll Do 

• Drive Test Plans and Readiness Reporting. Create requirement-mapped test plans that provide clear, visibility into readiness at EVT, DVT, and PVT. Collaborate with the Hardware Systems Lead on gate criteria and own the test readiness report presented at CDR and FDR. 

• Build Automated Test Infrastructure. Collaborate with the E2E Integration Engineer and Director of Hardware to define, procure, and deploy HIL benches, automated regression suites, and CI integration gates. 

• Maintain the Device–Firmware–Mobile Compatibility Matrix. Own the contract test suite that gates app and firmware release across supported hardware SKUs, pre-screen releases to protect in-market products.  

• Catch Issues Early. Design and pre-run campaigns such as thermal stress, ESD, and RF coexistence testing to reduce late-stage rework and field escapes. Lead root cause and failure analysis using methods such as 8D and FMEA. 

• Support Regulatory Certification. Work with accredited external labs and internal stakeholders to support FCC, IC, CE, and other certification activities. Maintain traceability for design changes, required retesting, and re-certification impact. 

• Champion Continuous Improvement. Build reusable test assets across the organization, including test plans, golden unit specs, and bench configurations.  Use AI tools to accelerate test generation failure correlation, and regression analysis. 

What You Bring 

• Hardware Validation Experience. 5+ years in hardware validation, reliability, or test engineering in a consumer electronics, IoT, or connected device environment. You’ve built and executed test plans across multiple development stages and understand what readiness means at each gate. 

• Test Automation and HIL Infrastructure. Experience building or operating automated test benches or HIL environments. You can lead infrastructure design and implementation, including AI-assisted test case generation and log analysis workflows. 

• RF and Wireless Understanding. Working knowledge of RF systems, wireless protocols, and coexistence considerations in connected devices. You understand and how satellite and Bluetooth behaviour influence test strategy and validation. 

• Regulatory Certification Experience. Experience supporting FCC, IC, CE, or RCM submissions is a strong asset. Familiarity with SAR, type approval, and re-certification triggers will help you ramp up quickly. 

• Full-Stack Test Perspective. Familiarity with mobile regression testing and device–software compatibility management. You understand that validation must extend across the full device–firmware–app stack. 

• Failure Analysis Discipline. Proficiency with structured failure analysis methods such as 8D, FMEA, or equivalent. You can distinguish systemic design issues from a process variation and document findings clearly. 

• Experience That Elevates Your Impact. Experience working with contract manufacturers or with manufacturing quality systems and ECO processes will deepen your contribution from day one. 

What We Offer 

• Salary Range. $140,000 – $160,000 CAD base salary.  

• Hybrid Work. Candidates located in the Greater Toronto Area will be expected to work in a hybrid model of three days per week in the Toronto office. Candidates based outside the GTA will be expected to travel to the Toronto office periodically. This role also requires occasional travel to our contract manufacturer and external test labs. 

• Comprehensive Benefits. Health, dental, and flexible spending accounts tailored to your needs.  

• Time to Recharge. Vacation and sick days to help you rest, recharge, and stay well.  

• Growth Investment. A continuous learning environment backed by a professional development budget.  

• Inclusive by Nature. A values-driven workplace where diverse perspectives are celebrated. 
   

Apply Now   

Our recruitment process may use artificial intelligence tools, alongside human review, to assist with the screening or assessment of candidates. 

We are currently hiring for this role and welcome candidates from all backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible workplace. If you meet around 70% of the qualifications, we still encourage you to apply — we’d love to hear from you. 

We’re happy to provide reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process; if you require support, please let us know when you apply, and we’ll work with you to meet your needs.