Sr Manager, Base & Test Software

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 Manager, Base & Test Software, leads teams responsible for delivering embedded base software and automated test systems supporting CARIAD hardware platforms. This role combines people management, technical leadership, and delivery accountability across base software, board bring-up, hardware–software integration, and test automation infrastructure. Serving as the solid-line leader for engineers, the Sr Manager fosters engagement, development, and performance while partnering closely with Tech Leads who provide technical direction.

This role ensures high-quality, scalable, and production-ready software while developing team capabilities, aligning roadmaps with platform milestones, and collaborating closely with hardware, systems, validation, manufacturing, and product stakeholders across CARIAD and the Volkswagen Group.

The Sr Manager, Base & Test Software ensures the build-up of an extended team in India (as assigned by CARIAD), including solid-line people leadership for assigned resources, task assignment, resource planning, provisioning of hardware and tools, and budget management for value-added contributions. This supports CARIAD’s strategy to scale global engineering capacity through staff augmentation while maintaining delivery quality and team integration.

Role Responsibilities:

People Leadership & Execution Management 

• Serve as the solid-line people leader for base software and test automation engineers, fostering engagement, development, and performance.
• Lead, mentor, and develop engineers and technical leaders, partnering closely with Tech Leads who provide day-to-day technical direction.
• Set clear objectives, priorities, and performance expectations aligned with platform roadmaps
• Drive a culture of accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement
• Support hiring, onboarding, performance management, and succession planning

BOT (Build, Operate, Transfer) Setup & India Operations 

• Establish and scale an engineering team in India as an extended workbench
• Assign and manage team tasks in BOTs
• Ensure delivery meets quality, timing, and integration expectations aligned with CARIAD standards.
• Manage operational aspects including purchase orders, invoicing, vendor coordination, and resource balancing.

Base Software Technical Leadership 

• Own delivery of base software components including BSP, MCAL, bootloaders, HALs, and OS services
• Guide board bring-up, early silicon validation, and low-level driver integration
• Review and influence software architecture, design, and quality decisions
• Act as an escalation point for complex hardware–software interaction issues

Test Systems & Automation Strategy 

• Lead development of automated test frameworks and infrastructure for bring-up, validation, and manufacturing
• Define test standards, coverage expectations, and best practices
• Drive shift-left testing, diagnostics, fault injection, and observability
• Improve test efficiency, reliability, and cycle time through tooling and process improvements

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Planning

• Partner with hardware, systems, safety, security, validation, and product teams
• Align base software and test roadmaps with vehicle program milestones
• Manage third-party vendors and external partners for software stacks and test solutions
• Identify risks early and drive cross-functional mitigation plans

Budget & Operations 

• Contribute to budget planning and resource forecasting
• Optimize allocation of people, tools, and vendor resources
• Ensure cost-effective execution while maintaining quality and safety standards

​General Skills:

• Technical leadership and decision-making
• Strategic and conceptual thinking
• People leadership, mentorship and team management
• R&D strategy development
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and written communication
• Agility in fast-paced, dynamic environments
• Organizational, prioritization, and delegation skills

​Required Specialized Skills:

• Deep understanding of embedded base software architectures (BSP, MCAL, bootloaders, OS/RTOS services)
• Experience with ECU and HPC bring-up, silicon validation, and production readiness
• Strong knowledge of automotive EE architectures and development processes
• Working knowledge of ISO 26262 functional safety concepts and implementation in software
• Experience designing and deploying test systems, automation frameworks, and CI pipelines
• Proficiency in C/C++, scripting languages, and embedded debugging tools
• Experience managing vendor and third-party software integrations
• Proficiency in managing teams, including staffing, performance management, skill development, and fostering a positive work environment
• Proficiency in aligning budgets and staffing needs with organizational goals, while ensuring efficient resource allocation

​Desired Skills:

• Experience with infotainment, ADAS, or connected vehicle platforms
• Familiarity with manufacturing, end-of-line, and factory test environments
• Exposure to Volkswagen Group platforms, tools, or processes

​Workplace Flexibility:

• Occasional domestic and international travel required (less than 20%)

​Years of Relevant Experience:

• Minimum 12+ years of experience in embedded software, base software (BSW), or test systems development, with 4+ years in people management and technical leadership roles within automotive, embedded, or related technology industries.

​Required Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline

​Desired Education: 

• Master’s Degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline

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 $214,240 - $310,030.

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.