Head of QA

ppRIVR is a Swiss robotics company pioneering Physical AI and robotic solutions to revolutionize last-mile delivery, giving 1 human the power of 1000. Through the combination of artificial neural networks and innovative robot designs with wheels and legs, RIVR aims to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and scalability in last-mile delivery. Founded as Swiss-Mile, the company rebranded to RIVR in 2025 to better reflect its mission of driving the future of intelligent robotics. Join our innovative team, renowned for pioneering robotic design and neural network applications in robotics that improve environmental understanding and decision-making. With a robust research foundation and notable contributions from ETH Zurich, we are leaders in translating artificial intelligence and robotics into practical, real-world applications. /p pRIVR is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that values every perspective. If you’re passionate about driving innovation in robotics and creating meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply and bring your unique self to our team. /p h3Job Description /h3 pWe are looking for a Head of QA to build and lead RIVR’s end-to-end Quality Assurance organization across the full System, Autonomy, Hardware, and Operations. Inspired by best practices from autonomous vehicles and robotics, this role will establish a scalable quality workflow that validates all hardware and software changes before they reach deployed fleets. Operating in parallel to Software and Hardware Engineering, the Head of QA will work closely with developers to embed quality early in the development lifecycle, balancing rigorous validation with rapid product iteration. Over time, the organization will expand automation capabilities across software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, and real-world operational testing to ensure reliability, safety, and performance at fleet scale. /p h3What you’ll be doing /h3 ul liBuild and lead RIVR’s end-to-end QA organization across the full System, Autonomy, Hardware, and Operations. /li liDefine and implement a scalable quality strategy for robotics fleets inspired by autonomous vehicles and robotics best practices. /li liEstablish validation workflows that gate all hardware and software releases before fleet deployment. /li liPartner closely with Software and Hardware Engineering to embed quality early in the development lifecycle. /li liDevelop automated testing frameworks across Software-in-the-Loop (SiL), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL), and real-world testing. /li liDefine quality KPIs, release criteria, and reliability targets at robot and fleet scale. /li liBuild regression, performance, and safety validation pipelines for autonomy and AI systems. /li liOversee field quality, maintenance feedback loops, and operational performance monitoring. /li liDrive root-cause analysis and continuous improvement across hardware and software failures. /li liScale QA infrastructure, tooling, and team processes to support rapid product iterations and growing deployments. /li /ul h3What you must have /h3 ul liProven experience leading QA (3+ years) or Validation teams in robotics, autonomous vehicles, automotive, or other safety-critical systems. /li liTrack record of building scalable quality processes for both hardware and software products. /li liDeep understanding of validation methodologies across SiL, HiL, and real-world testing. /li liExperience defining release gates, quality KPIs, and reliability targets for deployed fleets. /li liStrong systems engineering mindset with the ability to operate across autonomy, hardware, and operations. /li liHands‑on experience with automation frameworks, test infrastructure, and regression pipelines. /li liAbility to work cross-functionally with Software, Hardware, and Product teams in fast iteration cycles. /li liExperience with safety, compliance, and field reliability feedback loops. /li liStrong leadership skills with a track record of building and scaling high‑performing teams. /li liComfortable operating in high-growth startup environments with evolving processes and products. /li /ul h3Get some bonus points /h3 ul liExperience in autonomous driving, mobile robotics, or last‑mile delivery robots. /li liFamiliarity with safety standards. /li liExperience validating AI/ML or Vision‑Language‑Action (VLA) autonomy systems. /li liBackground in simulation environments and large‑scale scenario testing. /li liExposure to fleet operations, teleoperation, and remote supervision systems. /li liExperience with reliability engineering, HALT/HASS, and environmental testing. /li liKnowledge of regulatory certification processes for robots operating in public spaces. /li liExperience scaling QA organizations from prototype to mass deployment. /li liFamiliarity with DevOps/MLOps pipelines and continuous integration for robotics. /li liHands‑on robotics or mechatronics background. /li /ul pWe believe the best work is done when collaborating and therefore require in‑person presence in our office locations. /p /p #J-18808-Ljbffr