Navigation QA Engineer

Our Mission:

Driving technology always feels old. Not by a little bit. We believe vehicles can be a thousand times smarter, safer, and more connected to the world around us, and our mission is to see it happen. In 2019, we joined forces with Honda as their first startup acquisition, and now we’re expanding our vision into building the future of electric vehicles (BEV) for millions of people around the world.

Why Drivemode:

Join Drivemode for an exciting startup environment and a vibrant culture that combines impactful work, competitive compensation, and excellent benefits. By becoming a part of our team, you'll contribute to a crucial mission that revolutionizes the way people engage with vehicles, addressing both business needs and the world's environmental challenges. This presents an exceptional opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation and drive Honda's success in the EV market.

About the Role:

You will be responsible for ensuring the quality, reliability, and performance of our 2W Navigation system. In this role, you will test core navigation features including route planning, POI search, map rendering, GPS/GNSS/IMU integration, Bluetooth connectivity, and CAN communications. You will take full ownership of the QA Process—from test planning and execution to defect tracking and reporting—while collaborating closely with engineers, product managers, and stakeholders.

Beyond desk-based validation, you will also be responsible for organizing and conducting test riding activities, collecting real-world data, and proactively identifying issues that impact user experience and safety. You will analyze navigation logs, and system behavior to uncover insights, escalate critical findings, and recommend improvements.

This role values initiative and leadership: you are expected not only to execute tests but also to self-initiate and develop tools that improve testing efficiency and accuracy, as well as advocate for automation where possible. Ultimately, your work will ensure that our riders enjoy a seamless and reliable navigation experience.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Designing, writing, and maintaining comprehensive test cases for IVI [In Vehicle Infotainment].
• Performing functional validation for Navigation and other Map functionalities.
• Developing automated tests using webdriver IO, Appium, NodeJS.
• Executing performance and load testing on backend APIs.
• Collaborating with developers to understand Navigation specifications and business logic.
• Debugging issues, analyzing logs, and reporting bugs with clear documentation.
• Working with CI/CD pipelines to integrate functional and non functional tests and ensure seamless deployments.
• Organizing and conducting test riding activities, collecting real-world data

What We’re Looking For:

• Strong experience in software QA, Navigation systems or location-based services.
• Hands-on experience with test planning, execution, defect tracking, and reporting.
• Familiarity with motorcycle or car navigation-related technologies: GPS, GNSS, IMU, Bluetooth, and CAN.
• Ability to retrieve, interpret, and analyze navigation data, and logs.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate findings and escalate critical issues effectively.
• Experience coordinating or executing real-world testing activities (e.g. test rides).
• Proactive mindset with the ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and make informed trade-offs.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent professional experience.
• Valid motorcycle license in Japan.

Nice to Have:

• Proficiency in Python or other scripting languages for automation and data analysis.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to investigate complex navigation issues.
• Ability to create clear, concise, and insightful test reports for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Japanese language proficiency; additional language skills are a plus.
• Leadership qualities — able to act proactively, influence quality strategy, and drive improvements without waiting for direction.

EEOC Statement:

Drivemode is proud of a very diverse team with employees coming from 5 continents/11 countries as of today. Diversity in our workplace has played an important part in our success; we recognize each employee’s unique background, knowledge, experiences, ideas, and viewpoints which are all critical in developing a product that has the greatest impacts on drivers all over the world.

Drivemode provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other characteristics that make you unique.