Principal Systems Engineer-Autonomy & Active Safety

Position Summary

We are seeking a Principal Software Engineer – Autonomy & Active Safety to lead the design, development, integration, and testing of advanced embedded software for autonomous and active safety systems. In this role, you will develop real-time control algorithms, embedded vehicle software, computer vision applications, sensor processing solutions, and communication networks supporting advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs).

Working closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, you will help define system architecture, develop safety-critical software, and validate solutions through simulation and real-world vehicle testing.

Key Responsibilities

Software Development

• Design, develop, and maintain embedded software for autonomy and active safety applications.
• Develop real-time control algorithms for vehicle systems.
• Create software supporting:
• Embedded vehicle controllers
• Computer vision systems
• Sensor processing
• Graphical user interfaces (GUI)
• Vehicle communication networks
• Participate in software design reviews and peer code reviews.

Systems Engineering

• Develop detailed software and system requirements.
• Define system architecture for embedded vehicle platforms.
• Evaluate software designs for performance, safety, reliability, and maintainability.
• Manage development efforts for moderately complex systems and, when required, multiple concurrent projects.

Testing & Validation

• Develop comprehensive software verification and validation plans.
• Execute testing in both simulation environments and real-world vehicle applications.
• Support testing at off-site facilities as required.
• Ensure compliance with software quality and safety standards throughout development.

Technical Leadership

• Collaborate with engineering, suppliers, customers, and external partners on technical solutions.
• Prepare technical proposals, reports, presentations, and engineering documentation.
• Process engineering documentation in accordance with CMMI Level 3 development processes and software safety procedures.
• Ensure technical activities align with company policies and engineering best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline with 5+ years of relevant experience, or
• Master's degree with 2+ years of related experience.
• 5+ years of experience developing embedded software using:
• C
• C++
• PLC programming languages (Structured Text preferred)
• 5+ years of software testing experience, preferably supporting vehicle systems.
• Experience developing vehicle communication networks, including:
• CAN Bus
• Ethernet
• Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communications
• Familiarity with functional safety standards such as:
• MIL-STD-882E
• ISO 26262
• IEC 61508
• Experience with version control, release management, and peer review processes.
• Ability to travel approximately 10–20%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing software for on-road or off-highway vehicle control systems.
• Autonomous vehicle or self-driving system development experience.
• Experience integrating advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and driver warning technologies.
• Familiarity with Agile software development methodologies.
• Experience using SysML for system modeling and architecture documentation.
• Experience integrating sensor technologies, including:
• Radar
• LiDAR
• Computer Vision
• UNIX/Linux software development experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance.

Desired Skills

• Strong embedded software architecture and system design expertise.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate technical documentation and engineering records.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a technically strong embedded software engineer with experience developing autonomous or active safety systems for vehicles. They are comfortable leading complex software development efforts, collaborating across engineering disciplines, and delivering reliable, safety-critical solutions for advanced aerospace and defense applications.

EOE (including Disability/Veterans)