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Principal Hardware Systems Engineer - Compute Foundation

Ann Arbor, MI

About the Company

At Torc, we have always believed that autonomous vehicle technology will transform how we travel, move freight, and do business.

A leader in autonomous driving since 2007, Torc has spent over a decade commercializing our solutions with experienced partners. Now a part of the Daimler family, we are focused solely on developing software for automated trucks to transform how the world moves freight.

Join us and catapult your career with the company that helped pioneer autonomous technology, and the first AV software company with the vision to partner directly with a truck manufacturer.

Meet the Team:
Within the Technology organization, the Compute Foundation division is responsible for the design and provision of a cost-effective, scalable, automotive grade compute platform(s) with the ability to connect easily to the required sensors/devices, while maintaining stable interfaces to the applications.

The Compute Foundation organization achieves their goals, through the design, sourcing, development, build and delivery of a highly scalable Autonomous Driving Kit (AD Kit) including an automotive grade compute platform, cutting-edge sensor technologies, operating system(s), middleware, and software.

The integration will materialize first in an OEM-launched AD Kit for a Class 8 truck from DT, followed by a roll-out across OEM’s, by staying on-top of the technology evolution, challenging the status quo and pushing boundaries in the selection, development and integration of scalable hardware and software

What You’ll Do:

We are looking for a seasoned Principal Systems Engineer who can provide deep technical leadership across the full stack of compute and electrical integration—spanning hardware abstraction, middleware, safety/security boundaries, and system validation. This role is critical to ensuring our compute platform scales reliably across vehicle platforms, OEM configurations, and future product evolutions.

You will define and lead technical direction at the system level, ensuring integration robustness and production readiness. This includes architecting system interfaces, setting technical guardrails, owning key milestones, and driving resolution of cross-domain blockers. You will act as the glue between software, hardware, validation, and safety teams—ensuring the AD Kit is production-quality, testable, and maintainable

  • Own and drive system-level architecture, electrical/software interface alignment, and cross-domain integration strategy.

  • Act as technical authority for complex system-level design decisions involving compute, networking, power, sensors, and software abstraction.

  • Lead the definition and implementation of integration maturity milestones and release-readiness criteria.

  • Collaborate closely with platform, diagnostics, validation, and functional safety teams to ensure holistic system behavior.

  • Influence system decomposition strategies, network architecture decisions, and bring-up validation plans.

  • Guide design reviews, debug sessions, and integration planning with internal and OEM-facing teams.

  • Identify platform risks early and lead resolution efforts with a focus on root-cause and long-term scalability.

  • Participate in product planning and technical roadmapping across the Compute Foundation division.

  • Drive the adoption of best practices for configuration management, requirements traceability, and verification strategies.

  • Mentor senior and staff engineers across the division, contributing to a high-performance technical culture.

 What You’ll Need to Succeed:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical, Computer, Robotics, or Systems Engineering (PhD a plus).

  • 15+ years of experience in systems engineering, software/hardware integration, or platform-level product development.

  • Deep expertise in compute platform integration, embedded systems, electrical/software boundary design, and system-level validation.

  • Hands-on experience with real-time Linux, virtualization, automotive networking (CAN, Ethernet, TSN), and power distribution.

  • Strong working knowledge of system safety (ISO 26262), diagnostics (UDS/DIDs), and OTA infrastructure.

  • Experience with tools and processes for integration maturity tracking, root cause analysis, and field issue triage.

  • Familiarity with CI/CD, GitHub-based workflows, and release engineering.

  • Comfortable navigating ambiguity and aligning technical priorities with long-term product vision.

  • Proven ability to work across software, hardware, and vehicle teams in a fast-paced product organization.

  • Excellent communication and technical writing skills.

Bonus Points!

  • Prior experience delivering scalable autonomy platforms or compute hardware into production vehicles.

  • Experience working with global OEMs and managing technical interactions across organizational boundaries.

  • Experience with system simulation, HIL/SIL validation, and multi-modal integration strategies.

  • Ability to debug platform-level hardware/software issues and drive resolution across domain boundaries.

  • Demonstrated track record of leading by influence, fostering technical excellence, and building strong engineering culture.

Perks of Being a Full-time Torc’r 

Torc cares about our team members and we strive to provide benefits and resources to support their health, work/life balance, and future. Our culture is collaborative, energetic, and team focused. Torc offers:    

  • A competitive compensation package that includes a bonus component and stock options  
  • 100% paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for full-time employees    
  • 401K plan with a 6% employer match  
  • Flexibility in schedule and generous paid vacation (available immediately after start date) 
  • Company-wide holiday office closures  
  • AD+D and Life Insurance 
Hiring Range for Job Opening 

US Pay Range

$195,500 - $234,600 USD

At Torc, we’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We celebrate the uniqueness of our Torc’rs and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, veteran status, or disabilities.

Even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications listed for this opportunity, we encourage you to apply. 

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