System Engineer

Our client is developing a universal, plug-and-play compute and vision platform for vehicles. Its mission is to bring advanced driver-assistance and connected-vehicle technology to the 1.5 billion cars already on the road—making them safer, smarter, and software-defined. The company is moving from initial units toward mass production and is looking for a hands-on engineer to help build the systems that make that possible.

About the role

Our client is hiring its first Platform Systems Engineer to own software integration, system validation, release quality, and deployment across its embedded hardware and software stack. You’ll work across Embedded Linux, device drivers, CAN bus, HIL testing, CI/CD, OTA updates, and vehicle validation. You’ll also help establish the tools, test frameworks, and quality standards needed to scale across multiple vehicle platforms. This is a high-impact startup role for someone who enjoys building, debugging, automating, and solving problems at the hardware/software boundary.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain integration environments for embedded software, HIL systems, test benches, vehicles, and data logging
• Develop Embedded Linux drivers for UART, SPI, I2C, timers, LEDs, IMUs, CAN bus, and related peripherals
• Develop middleware services for OTA updates, diagnostics, and real-time data and video streaming
• Create and maintain CI/CD pipelines for embedded software builds, testing, artifact management, and releases
• Automate deployments across HIL, bench, production, and vehicle environments
• Validate system compatibility across multiple vehicle makes, models, ECUs, and CAN bus architectures
• Design regression tests for firmware, CAN interfaces, ADAS functions, and system releases
• Build test harnesses, simulators, and automated validation frameworks
• Validate production flashing and ensure every shipped device meets requirements
• Test OTA updates for reliability, safety, rollback, and recovery
• Investigate defects, perform root-cause analysis, and drive issues through resolution
• Define quality metrics, release criteria, and system-level test plans
• Partner with engineering and manufacturing to improve product quality from design through production
• Use field performance data to guide software, hardware, and process improvements

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
• 3+ years of experience in embedded systems, platform engineering, DevOps, system integration, or embedded QA
• Strong hands-on experience with Linux-based embedded systems
• Experience developing, integrating, and debugging on Yocto-based Embedded Linux, Ubuntu, or Debian
• Driver-level development experience with UART, SPI, I2C, timers, LEDs, IMUs, or similar I/O peripherals
• Proficiency in C/C++ for embedded development, debugging, and module-level testing
• Proficiency with Python, Bash, or similar scripting and automation tools
• Experience building CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps, or similar platforms
• Hands-on experience with CAN bus and tools such as CANalyzer, SavvyCAN, or SocketCAN
• Strong hardware/software integration and debugging skills
• Experience with bootloaders, flashing tools, firmware deployment, and OTA updates
• Experience developing and executing structured, multi-level test plans
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-moving startup environment

Nice to have

• Automotive, Tier 1, retrofit, connected-vehicle, or ADAS experience
• AI model integration and optimization on real-time embedded devices
• Experience validating cameras, radar, IMUs, or other vehicle sensors
• Experience building HIL systems, test rigs, or vehicle simulators
• Familiarity with ISO 26262, ASPICE, or automotive safety standards
• Experience with Git, Git LFS, Docker, and release-management tools
• Knowledge of cloud microservices and connected-device architectures

Pay

Base salary of $110,000–$145,000, depending on experience

Benefits

• Meaningful equity in a venture-backed automotive technology company
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Direct impact on a platform moving from prototype to mass production
• Collaborative, mission-driven team based in San Diego