Front-end/Language Design: Development of feature-based Ada conformance testsuite

AdaCore: Helping Developers Build Software that Matters

Everything we do at AdaCore is centered around helping developers build safe, secure and reliable software.

For 30 years, we've partnered with global leaders in aerospace & defense, air traffic management, space, railway and financial services. We've developed tools and services simplifying high-integrity software development through a subscription-based model. As demand for secure applications grows in industries like automotive, medical, energy, and IoT, we're adapting our proven technologies to assist a new generation of developers.

Our +190 global experts based in the US, France, Germany, the UK, and Estonia, collectively develop cutting-edge technologies to address the challenges of high-grade software development.

Joining AdaCore is about joining a culture of innovation, openness, collaboration and dependability, which defines how we work together, with our customers and partners.

Context

Historically, AdaCore has relied on the ACATS test suite as the main reference for language conformance in various Ada-based tools. This testsuite covers the standardized Ada features and is maintained by the Ada Rapporteur Group (ARG). With a growing amount of language extensions developed by AdaCore, this is no longer sufficient. Coupled with the slowdown of ACATS maintenance (to the date there is no ACATS version for Ada 2022 features) an alternative reference testsuite is required.

To fill the gap, we have set up a language conformance testsuite that is expected to cover all new language features and exercise all tools that are influenced by those features

Goals

• Participate in developing the test drivers for tools that do not support the new conformance testsuite yet. This goal entails writing test harnesses in python.
• Implement a solution for measuring and documenting the test coverage (feature coverage and structural coverage). This is a combined task of working with coverage tools (gnatcoverage) and developing documentation procedures.
• Develop tests for new and existing language features. This task consists of writing annotated Ada code snippets according to the language definition.
• Convert tests from legacy testsuites to the new framework.

Qualifications/Skills Required or Nice to Have

The work will require interacting closely with various engineers from AdaCore (mostly in English).

The applicant should have a fair knowledge of the following topics (a solid knowledge about these topics is a plus):

• Ada or C programming (both are a plus)
• Python programming
• Understanding of the concepts of software testing and code coverage
• Interest in the topic of language definition and compiler verification

Timeframe & Location:

During 2026 - 6 months - Paris/Grenoble/Tallinn

Beyond the job

We're a global organization driven by diverse backgrounds, fostering innovation through an open exchange of ideas. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity in ethnicity, nationality, gender, age, religion, abilities, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status.

Our commitment is to help our teammates, wherever they are based, feel comfortable and satisfied, by encouraging flexibility to ensure them a healthy work-life balance. Additionally, we prioritize individual development by offering continuous training from day one with a personalized onboarding plan.