Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Job Title: Principal Software Engineer, BSW
Location: Mountain View, CA/Austin, TX (Onsite 4 days/week)

Direct Hire/ Fulltime Role

Must Have:

• HW Bring-Up & Board Support
• BSP / OS Expertise (Linux and QNX)
• Automotive-Specific System Knowledge
• CAN / LIN / Ethernet basics, Watchdogs, Bootloaders, OTA
• Peripheral Bring-Up
• Audio: ALSA / ASoC, I2S / TDM, Codec bring-up (routing, clocks, pop-noise issues)
• Display / Camera: MIPI-DSI / HDMI / DP, MIPI-CSI, SerDes (FPD-Link, GMSL), Panel timing, backlight, camera pipelines
• Connectivity: BT/Wi-Fi bring-up, Firmware loading, calibration (NVM), Coexistence issues
• USB: Host vs Device, Power roles, enumeration failures
• Radio: AM/FM / DAB / SDR, Tuner bring-up, antenna diagnostics
• Power & Thermal: Suspend/Resume, Thermal zones, Low-power modes (vehicle sleep/wake)
• Testing
• DV, EOL, HIL & Manufacturing Support
• Support Hardware team
• Reviewing schematics, Signal integrity, Power rails
• Good to have (not must)
• Prior Qualcomm automotive experience
• Hypervisors, Safety Island, Secure Boot etc.

We are an automotive software development team. 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 Software Engineer will design, develop, and deliver embedded software for high-performance computing platforms at Client. This role focuses on building reliable base software, leading system bring-up, integrating core components, and solving complex hardware software interaction issues. The engineer will also drive improvements in testing, diagnostics, and software quality, while collaborating with cross-functional teams and external partners to ensure robust, secure, and production-ready solutions. As a senior member of the technical team, this position provides hands-on expertise and mentorship to strengthen Client's in-house software development capabilities.
Role Responsibilities:
Embedded Software Development
Design and implement base software components including BSP, MCAL, bootloaders, and OS services
Lead board bring-up, hardware abstraction layer (HAL) integration, and low-level driver development
Support hardware teams with component selection, schematics review, and debugging
Contribute to software diagnostics, test hooks, and fault injection mechanisms
Interface with third-party vendors for BSW stack integration and tuning
Collaborate with internal teams on software requirements, especially in safety and security domains
Develop and maintain continuous integration and automated testing environments
Ensure quality through static/dynamic code analysis and validation tools
Drive prototyping of novel BSW features, accelerating early-stage platform evaluations
Provide expert technical guidance to ensure efficient delivery of critical features to engineering teams, mentoring less experienced engineers, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Lead discussions on technology stack selection, balancing scalability, performance, and maintainability.
Guides the creation of strategic launch and release plans with cross-functional teams while maintaining best practices in coding, documentation, and code reviews.
Operational Management
Coordinate with manufacturing and validation teams for ECU bring-up, flashing, and test software
Proactively identify risks in software/hardware interaction and drive mitigations
Ensure compliance with relevant automotive standards and development processes utilizing advanced design patterns for iterative and scalable development
General Skills:
Attention to detail and a high level of accuracy in all work
Critical thinking skills
Thoughtful problem solving
Strong communication verbal and written
Time management
Required Specialized Skills:
Deep understanding of software platform development and corresponding software.
Knowledge of typical vehicle EE architectures and automotive development processes.
Knowledge of functional safety concept (ISO26262) and implementation of same in software.
Deep Knowledge of embedded system software architecture, real-time operating systems, and web framework components and its interfaces
Knowledge of connected HPC software components and its peripherals
Knowledge of connected vehicle infotainment and communication software systems.
Experienced with introduction into mass production of the same.
Exhibit mastery of multiple programming languages and script languages C, C++, Java, HTML5
Knowledgeable of best practices to align with the latest technology and software design principles, influencing architectural decisions through insights into trade-offs.
Desired Skills:
Consumer electronics SW design architecture
Rapid prototyping and validation
Approaches for cloud oriented mobile internet applications
Connected navigation and driver assistance system technologies
Workplace Flexibility:
Occasional travel may be required, less than 15%

Years of Relevant Experience:
15+ years of software development experience with BSW
Required Education:
Bachelor s Degree in Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
Desired Education:
Master s Degree in Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related field