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Automotive Software, Automotive Technology, Autonomous Driving

Sr Principal Software Engineer

Mountain View, California, United StatesFull TimePrincipal$209,090–$303,335 /yrPosted 2 months agoVisa sponsorship available

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Role summary

CARDIAD, the automotive software development team of the Volkswagen Group, seeks a Sr Principal Software Engineer, BSW. This role is an enterprise-wide technical leader responsible for the Base Software (BSW) platform strategy and architecture across multiple vehicle programs. Key responsibilities include defining target architecture, driving multi-year roadmaps, establishing engineering standards, and leading the resolution of complex cross-program technical issues. The role also involves architecting and implementing core embedded software components, guiding CI/CD practices, and mentoring other engineers. The ideal candidate has 13+ years of experience in embedded software development, platform architecture, and technical leadership, with deep expertise in functional safety (ISO 26262) and automotive EE architectures.

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 Technical Lead Sr Principal Software Engineer, BSW is a senior technical leader and enterprise-wide authority for base software on high-performance automotive computing platforms across CARIAD and the Volkswagen Group. This role owns BSW platform strategy and architectural direction, driving scalable, reusable foundations that enable multiple vehicle programs from concept through production.In addition to delivering critical embedded software (BSP/MCAL/boot chain/OS services) and leading complex bring-up, the Sr Principal sets technical standards, establishes governance, and resolves the highest-impact cross-program technical risks. The role partners closely with hardware, systems, safety, security, validation, and manufacturing leaders to ensure end-to-end platform integrity and regulatory compliance.As a multiplier, this position builds technical communities, mentors other engineers, shapes multi-year roadmaps, and represents CARIAD in external technical forums and strategic partner engagements to accelerate innovation and platform maturity.

Role Responsibilities:

Platform Architecture, Strategy & Governance

  • Own the BSW platform architecture across multiple ECUs/programs; define the target architecture, key interfaces, and reusable patterns.
  • Drive multi-year BSW roadmap (boot chain, OS services, diagnostics, update/flash, HW abstraction, safety/security enablers) aligned to product and hardware roadmaps.
  • Establish engineering standards, design review governance, and reference implementations adopted across CARIAD and Volkswagen Group partners.
  • Set technical strategy for vendor/third-party stack integration (e.g., OS, hypervisor, MCAL/BSW suppliers), including build-vs-buy decisions and performance targets.

    • Cross-Program Technical Leadership

  • Lead resolution of the most complex, cross-domain issues (hardware/software/system), including critical escalations and program-level tradeoffs.
  • Partner with Safety, Security, and Systems Engineering to ensure architecture supports ISO 26262, cybersecurity requirements, and compliance evidence needs.
  • Align technical decisions across product, integration, validation, and manufacturing to reduce platform fragmentation and improve reuse.
  • Represent CARIAD in cross-brand technical working groups and strategic partner engagements to drive alignment and accelerate delivery.

    • Embedded Software Development & Bring-Up

  • Architect, design, and implement core base software components (BSP, MCAL integration, bootloaders, OS services, diagnostics) for high-performance ECUs.
  • Lead board bring-up, low-level driver development, and root-cause debug using advanced instrumentation, fault injection, and performance profiling.
  • Guide implementation of robust CI/CD, static/dynamic analysis, and automated validation frameworks for production-quality embedded software.

    • Operational Excellence & Talent Multiplication

  • Mentor and develop Principal/Staff engineers; grow technical communities of practice and raise engineering quality through coaching and review.
  • Define metrics and continuous-improvement initiatives (quality, reliability, build stability, test coverage) to improve delivery predictability.
  • Support manufacturing, validation, and operations teams for production test workflows, flashing/update processes, and field issue triage.

    • ​General Skills:

  • Recognized technical authority with strong systems thinking and ability to simplify complex platform decisions for diverse audiences
  • Executive-ready verbal and written communication; able to influence outcomes across organizations without direct authority
  • Deep expertise in embedded/BSW architecture, platform scaling, and long-term maintainability for safety- and security-critical systems
  • Proven ability to define engineering standards, governance models, and reusable patterns adopted across multiple programs
  • Strong integration skills — joining people, processes, or systems across domains (HW/SW/System/Safety/Security/Manufacturing)
  • Excellent prioritization and decision-making in ambiguous, multi-stakeholder environments; balances time-to-market with platform health
  • Mentorship and talent-building: develops other senior engineers, grows technical communities, and raises org-wide engineering quality
  • Continuous improvement mindset; drives metrics, automation, and operational excellence across the full software lifecycle

    • ​Required Skills:

  • Deep expertise in embedded software platform development and integration for high-performance automotive systems
  • Strong knowledge of vehicle EE architectures and automotive development processes
  • In-depth understanding of functional safety (ISO 26262) and proven experience implementing them in software
  • Mastery of embedded system software architecture, real-time operating systems, and web framework components and their interfaces
  • Strong knowledge of connected HPC software components, peripherals, and infotainment systems
  • Hands-on experience in the design, validation, and introduction of software into mass production
  • Expertise in multiple programming and scripting languages, including C, C++, Java, Python, and HTML5, with a strong focus on performance, maintainability, and scalability
  • Demonstrated ability to apply best practices, align with emerging technology trends, and influence architectural and design decisions through trade-off analysis
  • Proven track record of mentoring and providing technical leadership to engineering teams, shaping software practices and driving adoption of modern development principles

    • Desired Skills:

  • Knowledge of connected navigation, ADAS, and infotainment technologies, with practical experience in system-level integration
  • Familiarity with cloud-oriented and mobile internet application architectures, including integration with vehicle systems
  • Proven ability to lead rapid prototyping, validation, and proof-of-concept development for new software features or platforms
  • Experience with software design and architecture for consumer electronics, bridging automotive and broader embedded system domains

    • ​Years of Relevant Experience:

  • 13+ Years of software development experience with BSW (embedded/low-level), including platform architecture and cross-program technical leadership

    • ​Required Education:

  • Bachelors in Engineering

    • Desired Education:

  • Master’s Degree in Engineering

    • Work Flexibility:

  • Travel to worldwide locations required up to 15%

    • 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.

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