Principal Engineer Sr - Backend Services

Mountain View, CA, United States

Here at Volkswagen, we are facing increased innovative competition from new tech-savvy players in our industry. Mastering the paradigm shift to a customer-driven, software-first perspective has become a demanding challenge for many established automotive manufacturers. Shifting to a software-defined approach is a fundamental change away from predominantly engineering-minded environments.

In strategic foresight, Volkswagen has created a central software unit called CARIAD to provide a platform in this essential exercise across all 9 of our brands including the Volkswagen brand itself, Audi, Porsche, Skoda and Seat. While CARIAD also covers the software platform for all existing models in the market, the focus now is on creating a truly software-defined vehicle (SDV) unit – the CARIAD SDV Hub. This hub, which is currently in its ramp-up phase, will support the development of new and mostly battery electric cars’ software and hardware architectures in a confined, fast-growing environment.

For the core of the SDV Hub, we are looking to hire experienced Principal Engineers (both software and hardware) that are ready to rethink the way we do software for our future cars. After a thorough analysis of both our current architectures and the best practices as displayed by some of our competitors in the market, we have identified broad strategic guidelines and a general direction for the SDV Hub. The SDV Hub allows for complete conceptional freedom to fill this space with cutting-edge, innovative architectures that will be the foundation for all of our software products including a cross-organizational continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipeline combined with efficient processes, methods and tools. The thorough integration of selected brand vehicles will ensure a complete end-to-end perspective. Thus, principles of modern software development will enable a new level of customer satisfaction in products to come.

Role Summary The Principal Engineer Sr – Backend Services will lead key areas of the software design efforts of the future Software-Defined-Vehicle (SDV) software stack. In close collaboration with the other Principal Engineers and their respective teams, you will be the key driver in envisioning, architecting, designing, and executing the next SDV backend platform software stack. We are seeking high achievers who thrive on exploring uncharted territories, challenging the status quo, and championing new ideas.

Role Responsibilities Lead and architect the software stack of the Volkswagen Group Software Defined Vehicle Platform of the future: including middleware, backend services, and connectivity.

Create high-performance, scalable, and safe software systems while leveraging your extensive experience and knowledge of emerging technologies and best practices in developing cutting-edge backend distributed systems.

Define the engineering fundamentals which are used by the development teams including branching concepts, coding guidelines, testing strategies, performance testing and continuous deployment (incl. infra decisions).

Implement Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) fundamentals into the continuous deployment process to ensure robust and reliable software.

Conduct system-critical design reviews with the teams and provide valuable insights and guidance.

Guide the teams in designing system-relevant software concepts, efficient data structures to support modern many-core hardware, design patterns, and more.

Attract extraordinary talent and serve as a mentor and coach for the software engineering team.

Years of Experience 15+ years of experience in high-performance object-oriented software design.

15+ years of professional experience in delivering complex software products to the end customer.

Required Education MSc in Computer Science, Robotics, Physics, or a related subject area.

Desired Education PhD and relevant publications and/or patents.

Skills: Strong leadership in technical strategy and innovation.

Strong oral and written communication skills in English.

Mutual trust: Team player/ability to lead/collaborative mindset.

Can-Do Attitude.

Absolute ownership for own tasks and products.

Entrepreneurial mindset.

Required Skills: Extensive experience in building and scaling high-traffic platforms.

Deep understanding of system architecture and software design patterns.

Fundamental understanding of modern software technology (e.g., container technology, cryptography).

Fundamental understanding of information security.

Desired Skills Knowledge of Golang, Python, Docker, Kubernetes, and modern continuous deployment tools.

Work Flexibility Travel to worldwide locations required.

Compensation Salary range is dependent on factors such as geographical differentials, credentials or certifications, industry-based experience, qualification and training. In the city of Santa Clara, California, the salary range for this position is $180,100 - $295,900. 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.

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