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Sr Staff Software Engineer (Contract)

Mountain View, CA

We are CARIAD, an automotive software development team with the Volkswagen Group. Our mission is to make the automotive experience safer, more sustainable, more comfortable, more digital, and more fun. To achieve that we are building the leading tech stack for the automotive industry and creating a unified software platform for over 10 million new vehicles per year. We’re looking for talented, digital minds like you to help us create code that moves the world. Together with you, we’ll build outstanding digital experiences and products for all Volkswagen Group brands that will transform mobility. Join us as we shape the future of the car and everyone around it.

​Role Summary:

​The Sr Staff Software Engineer (Contract) will lead key areas in the shaping and strengthening of the electronics development for CARIAD and VW Group. The Sr Staff Software Engineer will define, develop, and deliver production software in an embedded environment for a high-performance computing platform for VW Group, creating in-house development expertise for connected infotainment. This role will also drive technology stack selection discussions, balancing scalability and performance needs, while helping establish and refine coding standards and development processes. The position will be a senior member of CARIAD’s technical team and will interface with multiple stakeholders from VW Group’s technical teams.

Role Responsibilities:

HCP Software Development 

  • Contribute to software specification and design of compute boards and custom SoCs
  • Work with internal customers to understand and specify software requirements and deliverables, including safety and security
  • Assist hardware team in bring-up, testing and debugging
  • Develop/integrate bootloaders, device drivers, kernels, hypervisors, upgrade processes, etc to support application requirements
  • Leads SW development for Base-software (BSP), Driver software, MCAL, Bring-up/Debugging software and diagnostic software.
  • Leads board bring-up and supports hardware design verification.
  • Develop/integrate processes and tools for software development and automated regression testing
  • Leads performance validation and evaluation of the SW stack.
  • Contributes to the timely delivery of fully validated, high-quality software features.
  • Leads the design, prototyping, engineering, validation, and launching the cutting-edge software stacks for HCPs with multiple SoCs configuration architecture.
  • Provide expert technical guidance to engineering teams, mentoring less experienced engineers and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Lead discussions on technology stack selection, balancing scalability, performance, and maintainability.

Operational Management 

  • Work with contract manufacturer closely to build up test software for hardware test setup for ECU bring-up, verification/validation and end of line production.
  • Identify and mitigate project technology risks and execution risks
  • Monitor compliance with relevant regulations, statutes, Board Directives, process standards (including in respect of Golden Rules and Product Compliance), procedural/operating instructions and occupational safety regulations using appropriate management controls (dual-control principle).

​General Skills:

  • Analytical and conceptual thinking
  • Experience in developing strategies for R&D
  • Communication skills - interpersonal, presentation and written
  • Integration - joining people, processes or systems
  • Influencing and negotiation skills
  • Strategic/visionary minded

​Required Specialized Skills:

  • Deep understanding of software platform development and corresponding software.
  • Knowledge of typical vehicle EE architectures and automotive development processes.
  • Knowledge of functional safety concept (ISO26262) and implementation of same in software.
  • Deep Knowledge of embedded system software architecture, real-time operating systems, and web framework components and its interfaces
  • Knowledge of connected HPC software components and its peripherals
  • Knowledge of connected vehicle infotainment and communication software systems.
  • Experienced with introduction into mass production of the same.
  • Exhibit mastery of multiple programming languages and script languages C, C++, Java, HTML5,

​Desired Skills:

  • Consumer electronics SW design architecture
  • Rapid prototyping and validation
  • Approaches for cloud oriented mobile internet applications
  • Connected navigation and driver assistance system technologies
  • User-interface architecture for mobile and automotive systems

​Workplace Flexibility:

  • ​Travel to worldwide locations may be required, up to 20%

​Years of Relevant Experience:

  • ​10+ years of software development experience in HPC embedded environment

​Required Education:

  • ​Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or equivalent

​Desired Education: 

  • ​Master’s Degree in Engineering or equivalent

Workplace Flexibility:

  • ​This is a contract W2 position
  • This role is based in Mountain View, CA. Must be local, no relocation.
  • Immediate availability is required. The selected candidate is expected to start promptly upon offer acceptance and pending successful completion of a standard background check and drug screening
  • Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship now or in the future
  • We do not accept C2C (Corp-to-Corp), 1099, or third-party agency submissions for this position
  • The hourly contract rate for this position in Mountain View, CA is $90.00 - $110.00/hour, depending on factors such as qualifications, certifications, relevant experience, and training.

CARIAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, color, gender identity/expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws. 

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