Back to jobs
New

Sr Principal Hardware Engineer

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 Principal Hardware Engineer is responsible for shaping and strengthening the electronics development for CARIAD and VW Group. They will define, develop and deliver production hardware in an embedded environment for High performance computing platform for VW Group in order to create in-house development expertise for connected infotainment and ADAS/AD system.

The Sr Principal Hardware Engineer will be a member of CARIAD’s senior technical team and will interface with multiple stakeholders of VW Group’s technical team members. This position investigates and develops new computer HW architectures for HPC connected systems and finds technology competence and provides expertise support to Global brands for HCP development for up-coming VW group vehicle platforms.

The Sr Principal Hardware Engineer will help build and mentor a highly competent technical team (Best of the Best) for SoC, HCP and Software development for strategic growth of CARIAD mission of in-house competence for semiconductor and HCP development to compete with Automotive technology companies.

Role Responsibilities:

HCP Hardware Development 

  • Leads the development, launch and production of ADAS/AD and ICP HCPs, overseeing all steps of the process and working closely with product/design/contract manufacturers.
  • Contribute to specification and design of compute boards for automotive systems.
  • Oversees development of formal system architecture & behavior specifications including functional requirements, design intent, behavioral intent and system partitioning for the hardware platforms.
  • Work with internal customers to understand and specify application requirements and deliverables, including safety and security
  • Work with component suppliers to select and support hardware solutions.
  • Supports in investigating scalable architecture alternatives and development paths for ADAS/AD and ICP Hardware platforms.
  • Leads to establish scalability, cost, size, weight, power, performance, safety, and schedule requirements for next generation hardware platforms.
  • Leads to establish Cyber Security and Functional Safety requirements while developing EE hardware platform.
  • Leads to HW implementation of Cyber Security and Functional Safety requirements while developing EE hardware platform.
  • Leads to create Quality Benchmarks and Standards; provides technical perspective and expertise in terms of quality standards for internal technical teams, critical suppliers and partners.
  • Oversees to revamp and invent tools, infrastructure and methodologies for measurements that can support HCP product development.
  • Support in recruiting and building a high-performing team of electrical and mechanical engineers to deliver high performance, high volume, low cost, automotive systems.
  • Provide technical guidance to team, foster a culture of collaboration and inn

Operational Management 

  • Own the relationship with contract manufacturer and lead strategic discussions and negotiations.
  • Locates, acquires, and retains extraordinary talent for the ramp-up phase of the Engineering Team and for future growth.
  • 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).
  • Identify and mitigate project technology risks and execution risks
  • Spearheads new in-house development projects for various technical hardware domains

​General Skills:​

  • Technical Leadership 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
  • Resource management

​Required Specialized Skills:

  • Excellent strategic thinking, negotiation, and communication skills.
  • Deep knowledge of HPC HW architecture and hardware development processes.
  • Deep understanding of Hardware platform development and corresponding software.
  • Experienced with introduction into mass production of the same.
  • Deep understanding of typical vehicle EE architectures and automotive development processes.
  • Deep understanding in defining and designing hardware for embedded high performance computer systems including definition of system topologies, components and its interfaces.
  • Deep understanding of functional safety (ISO26262) concept and implementation of same in HW design.
  • Knowledge of connected HPC hardware components and its peripherals
  • Knowledge of connected vehicle infotainment and communication systems.
  • Knowledge of embedded system software/hardware architecture, real-time operating systems.
  • Experienced to establish a professional network within the ecosystem of automotive suppliers, and technology companies such as: Computer system technology companies; Semiconductor vendors; Start-up companies.

​Desired Skills:

  • Infotainment and Driver Assistance Systems
  • Consumer electronics HW design architecture
  • Rapid SW environment for prototyping and validation
  • Connected navigation and driver assistance system technologies
  • User-interface architecture for mobile and automotive systems
  • Ability to communicate on/to top-management level
  • Semiconductor technology and corresponding IP blocks.
  • Programming languages C, C++, Java, HTML5, and script languages

​Workplace Flexibility:

  • Frequent travel to worldwide locations required​

​Years of Relevant Experience:

  • 13+ years of HPC hardware development experience in embedded environment

​Required Education:

  • ​Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

​Desired Education: 

  • ​Master’s Degree in Engineering

Compensation

Salary range is dependent on factors such as geographical differentials, credentials or certifications, industry-based experience, qualification and training. In the city of Mountain View, California, the salary range for this position is $209,090 - $303,335.

CARIAD, Inc. provides performance based merits and annual bonus along with a competitive benefits package. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401k with employer match and defined contribution plan, short and long term disability, basic life and AD&D insurance, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment plans, maternity and non-primary caregiver leave, adoption assistance, employee referral program and vacation and paid holidays. We also offer a unique vehicle lease program that covers registration and insurance fees. 

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. 

Employment with CARIAD Inc. is subject to export control and sanctions compliance. Some positions may involve access to technology and/or software source code subject to U.S. legal restrictions on release to certain foreign persons based on citizenship or permanent residence. To ensure compliance, applicants will be required to provide information for screening. Employment may be contingent on the outcome, including verification of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status, or confirmation that a license, exemption, or exception applies. CARIAD retains the discretion to decline to obtain a required license in any case. By applying, you acknowledge and agree to participate in this process.

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at Cariad, Inc.? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Education

Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Cariad, Inc.’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.