Director, Digital Ecosystem Applications (MUST HAVE ANDROID/AOSP/ANDROID AUTOMOTIVE)

Role Responsibilities

• Define the technical mission, architecture strategy, and long-term platform vision for the In-Vehicle Computing & Digital Ecosystem Applications team, spanning Android Automotive OS (AAOS), in-vehicle compute platforms, Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) architecture, and AI-driven cockpit intelligence.
• Provide technical leadership across the full software stack, including Android Framework, System Services, HAL layers, middleware, connectivity stacks, media/audio frameworks, HMI toolchains, and cloud-connected AI runtimes within an SDV-aligned architecture.
• Lead and mentor engineering teams in platform bring-up, system integration, performance optimization, and development of AI-agentic features, multimodal interaction models, and next-generation speech technologies.
• Manage multi-year budgets for platform development, AI integration, SDV-aligned compute evolution, SoC evaluations, cloud services, and prototype programs.
• Deliver executive-level technical reporting on architecture decisions, platform readiness, SDV integration milestones, AI progress, risks, and strategic recommendations.
• Drive strategic planning for ICC’s infotainment and cockpit portfolio, including AAOS evolution, hybrid cloud/edge AI pipelines, intelligent mobile agent technologies, and SDV-centric software and compute roadmaps.

Cross-Functional & Ecosystem Leadership

• Align technical roadmaps with global VW Group Innovation teams across infotainment, connectivity, AI/ML, vehicle architecture, cloud services, and SDV platform strategy, ensuring cross-platform consistency and shared component reuse.
• Build strategic relationships with SoC vendors, Tier-1 suppliers, cloud providers, and AI technology partners to influence cockpit compute and SDV platform evolution.
• Maintain partnerships with Silicon Valley companies specializing in AI runtimes, LLMs, speech, multimodal interaction, and automotive-grade SDV-compatible software frameworks.
• Collaborate with academic and research institutions on AI-agentic systems, embedded ML, HMI, and in-vehicle compute architectures aligned with SDV principles.
• Represent Volkswagen Group as a technical leader in the Silicon Valley ecosystem.

People Leadership

• Provide technical and organizational leadership for engineers, contractors, interns, and field service engineers across Android, embedded systems, AI/ML, cloud services, HMI, and SDV-related software domains.
• Lead recruitment to build a high-caliber engineering organization with expertise in Android internals, system architecture, AI frameworks, embedded compute, and SDV-aligned automotive software.
• Foster continuous technical growth through mentorship, architecture reviews, and hands-on engineering guidance.

Qualification requirements

• Years of Required Experience: 10+ years with 2+ years in a technical leadership role.
• Education: CS, EE, M.S. Engineering (or equivalent) REQUIRED; M.S. Engineering (or equivalent) or PhD PREFERRED.
• Skills: Analytical and conceptual thinking, communication skills, integration, influencing and negotiation skills, problem-solving, resource management, scouting novel technologies for In-Vehicle SW applications like Android Automotive.

Additional Required | Desired Skills

• Required Specialized Skills: Technical Leadership & Software Expertise, Extensive leadership experience in research, pre-development, and development of automotive electronics, with a strong focus on Android Automotive OS (AAOS), infotainment software, and in-vehicle compute platforms, Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams, mentor senior engineers, and drive technical excellence across complex software programs, Deep expertise in embedded software architecture, real-time operating systems, middleware, HAL layers, system services, and large-scale distributed compute systems, Demonstrated experience defining software and SDV architecture, system topologies, interfaces, and long-term platform roadmaps, Strong background in evaluating compute architectures, AI frameworks, tools, and algorithms for integration into next-generation cockpit systems, Android Automotive & In-Vehicle Software, Hands-on experience designing, developing, and integrating Android Automotive-based infotainment stacks, including framework customization, system services, media frameworks, connectivity, and HMI toolchains, Innovation & Advanced Concepts, Proven track record in scouting emerging technologies (AI, LLMs, multimodal interaction, advanced graphics, compute platforms) and converting them into functional prototypes and production-ready concepts, Experience ideating, prototyping, and generating intellectual property in infotainment, multimedia, and in-vehicle compute domains, Program & Ecosystem Leadership, Long-term experience managing large, complex, multi-party software programs with significant technical and organizational complexity, Strong financial and budget management skills for multi-million-dollar R&D portfolios, Ability to build and maintain strategic relationships with SoC vendors, Tier-1 suppliers, cloud providers, and AI technology partners.
• Desired Domain Experience: 10+ years in automotive research, pre-development, or development, Experience with VW Group infotainment programs or suppliers, Knowledge of competitor cockpit and infotainment architectures.
• Advanced Technical Skills: Experience with virtualization, embedded Linux/Android development, advanced graphics pipelines, and modern toolchains, Familiarity with SDV development practices, cloud-connected services, navigation, and driver-assistance technologies, Understanding of UI/UX architectures for mobile and automotive systems.
• Additional Skills: Multilingual communication (English, Spanish, German), Experience designing next-generation infotainment or cockpit platforms, Established partnerships with consumer electronics and Silicon Valley technology companies.

Compensation and Benefits

• Data: In Silicon Valley (California), the salary range for this role will be $240,000 - $285,000, depending on education and years of relevant experience.
• Benefits: Annual performance bonus, Healthcare benefits, 401(k), with company match, Defined contribution retirement program, Tuition reimbursement, Company lease car program, Paid time off.

Competencies

• Act as an owner, Be a pioneer, Excite customer, Grow personally, Handle complexity, Live integrity & compliance, Live passion, Perform together, Think ahead.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Volkswagen Group of America 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.