Principal Systems Engineer, Telematics ECU

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 Principal Systems Engineer, Telematics ECU leads system-level execution and integration for connected vehicle platforms, driving system requirements and supporting end-to-end architecture decisions across hardware, SoC/modem, RF, software, and vehicle domains.

 In addition, this role leads system integration, bring-up, certification readiness, and validation to ensure secure, reliable connectivity. It partners with brands and suppliers, collaborates across hardware, software, and test teams, and offers expert technical guidance through all development phases, including board bring-up and performance assessments while mentoring domain specialists.

Role Responsibilities:

Architecture, Requirements, and Performance Estimation

• Lead system requirements gathering and traceability for telematics features, connectivity, diagnostics, and compliance.
• Assist in architecture trade-offs, performance/power estimations, RF capacity planning, and coverage/reliability targets; validate against vehicle constraints.
• Contribute to Building and maintaining performance models to guide design choices; drive cross-functional reviews and support domain signoffs with domain owners.

Hardware, RF, and Board-Level Collaboration

• Partner with hardware/RF leads to define system-level hardware and RF requirements and constraints (cellular/GNSS, eSIM, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, power, antenna/RF chains) and ensure they flow to silicon, RF, and PCB partners.
• Co-review schematic/PCB progress, RF performance criteria, EVT/DVT/PVT builds, and thermal/EMC/ESD/reliability status; surface and track risks jointly with hardware/RF owners.
• Assist with Coordination of lab bring-up and RF debug plans; ensure defects are logged, owned, and resolved by the right domain experts; track antenna performance and coexistence mitigation with the hardware/RF teams.

Vehicle-Level Integration & Validation

• Lead ECU integration activities into vehicle networks (CAN/CAN FD, Ethernet, LIN as applicable) in partnership with network owners.
• Define and execute system and RF integration tests across bench, HIL, RF chambers, and in-vehicle with cross-domain peers; triage issues across hardware, firmware, modem stack, and applications with clear ownership and hand-offs.
• Coordinate supplier and carrier deliverables with clear requirements, acceptance criteria, and documentation; flag risks early with supplier/carrier leads.

SoC/Modem, BSP, and Software Integration

• Partner with SoC/modem, BSP, and middleware leads on SoC/modem selection, boot chain (UEFI/U-Boot, secure boot), BSP, middleware, and driver integration; co-evaluate performance/power trade-offs.
• Support alignment of data, voice, V2X, and cloud feature roadmaps with backend and mobile teams; jointly ensure diagnostics, logging, security, and OTA readiness via system-level plans.
• Ensure carrier and certification requirements are embedded into design and validation in partnership with modem and RF SMEs.

​General Skills:

• Thoughtful Problem Solver & Communicator: Thinks analytically, critically & creatively and communicates with clarity, direction & purpose.
• Attentive Listener: Listens actively while withholding judgment and advice. Clarifies intentions & motivations to anticipate and address potential conflicts & avoid misunderstanding.
• Drives Diversity: Acts from a deep-rooted belief that we build better teams & products when we empower & learn from the broadest spectrum of humanity.
• Leads with Integrity: Speaks up with compassion & empathy to firmly stand by our values, principles, rules & regulations.
• Thrives in Ambiguity: Approaches challenges with an open and curious mindset and a strong bias towards action. Zooms out to systematically map out the situation and is comfortable making high impact decisions based on limited or conflicting information.
• Creates Clarity & Momentum: Aligns people, processes and systems to create forward momentum. Anticipates and removes impediments. Motivates teams to joint action to achieve common goals across organizational boundaries & cultural differences.
• Highly Accountable: Assumes personal responsibility for making and keeping realistic agreements. Openly owns mistakes and consequences. Demonstrates strong commitment and consideration for the larger interests of society, the environment, the company, and the team.
• Develops Strategy, Partnerships & Business: Strong empathy, influencing and negotiation skills that help create alignment around product vision, budgets, resources, program planning, etc.

​Required Skills:

• Specialized system-level understanding of LTE/5G NR modems, GNSS, eSIM/eUICC, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth chipsets, DDR/flash, PMICs, and high-speed interfaces (PCIe/USB) to evaluate designs and unblock teams.
• Experience in BSP/bootloader/kernel concepts, embedded Linux or RTOS, driver fundamentals, and performance/power optimization to guide and review, not necessarily to implement all components.
• Strong understanding of schematics/layouts, RF test reports, and certification criteria; can guide bring-up and debug with domain experts.
• Strong understanding of vehicle networks, diagnostics, OTA flows, and embedded security practices to assess integration impacts and risks.
• Analytical and pragmatic problem-solver; clear communicator with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and carriers.
• Excels in leading ambiguous cross-domain investigations and driving resolution.
• Organized, self-driven, and able to manage multi-partner deliverables.

​Desired:

• Experience with automotive safety (ISO 26262) and cybersecurity (ISO/SAE 21434).
• Background in V2X (C-V2X/DSRC), positioning improvements, or time synchronization.
• Exposure to backend/cloud connectivity, data pipeline reliability, and OTA campaign orchestration.
• Familiarity with certification paths (PTCRB/GCF/Carrier) and related test tooling.

Years of Relevant Experience:

• 12+ years’ experience with telematics/connectivity ECUs across SoC/modem, RF/board design, and system integration, with leadership across multi-partner programs.

​Required Education:

• MS in Computer/Electrical Engineering or Computer Science.

Work Flexibility:

• Occasional travel (10–20%) and cross-time-zone collaboration.

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, CA, the salary range for this position is $194,670 - $282,735.

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 contingent upon the successful completion of this screening process. We emphasize the importance of compliance with export control and sanctions laws as a fundamental aspect of our operations. Our company is dedicated to adhering to these regulations to ensure the lawful and ethical conduct of our business activities. Employment with our company is contingent on either verifying U.S. citizenship or U.S. lawful permanent resident status or obtaining any necessary license or confirming the availability of an applicable exemption or license exception. You, the applicant, will be required to answer certain questions for export control purposes, and that information will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law. Cariad Inc. may choose not to apply for a license or use an applicable license exception (if available) for such individuals whose access to export-controlled technology or software source code may require authorization and may decline to proceed with an applicant on that basis alone.

 By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree to participate in the export control and sanctions compliance screening process. Your cooperation in this matter is essential to our shared success and the integrity of our operations. Thank you for your understanding and commitment to upholding these important standards.