Principal Systems Engineer, Telematics ECU

Cariad, Inc. • Mountain View, CA

13d

About The Position

We are CARIAD, an automotive software development team with the Volkswagen Group. 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 Systems Engineer, Telematics ECU leads system-level execution and integration for connected vehicle platforms, driving system requirements and supporting end-to-end architecture decisions across hardware, SoC/modem, RF, software, and vehicle domains.
In addition, this role leads system integration, bring-up, certification readiness, and validation to ensure secure, reliable connectivity. It partners with brands and suppliers, collaborates across hardware, software, and test teams, and offers expert technical guidance through all development phases, including board bring-up and performance assessments while mentoring domain specialists.

Requirements

• Specialized system-level understanding of LTE/5G NR modems, GNSS, eSIM/eUICC, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth chipsets, DDR/flash, PMICs, and high-speed interfaces (PCIe/USB) to evaluate designs and unblock teams.
• Experience in BSP/bootloader/kernel concepts, embedded Linux or RTOS, driver fundamentals, and performance/power optimization to guide and review, not necessarily to implement all components.
• Strong understanding of schematics/layouts, RF test reports, and certification criteria; can guide bring-up and debug with domain experts.
• Strong understanding of vehicle networks, diagnostics, OTA flows, and embedded security practices to assess integration impacts and risks.
• Analytical and pragmatic problem-solver; clear communicator with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and carriers.
• Excels in leading ambiguous cross-domain investigations and driving resolution.
• Organized, self-driven, and able to manage multi-partner deliverables.
• 12+ years’ experience with telematics/connectivity ECUs across SoC/modem, RF/board design, and system integration, with leadership across multi-partner programs.
• MS in Computer/Electrical Engineering or Computer Science.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with automotive safety (ISO 26262) and cybersecurity (ISO/SAE 21434).
• Background in V2X (C-V2X/DSRC), positioning improvements, or time synchronization.
• Exposure to backend/cloud connectivity, data pipeline reliability, and OTA campaign orchestration.
• Familiarity with certification paths (PTCRB/GCF/Carrier) and related test tooling.

Responsibilities

• Lead system requirements gathering and traceability for telematics features, connectivity, diagnostics, and compliance.
• Assist in architecture trade-offs, performance/power estimations, RF capacity planning, and coverage/reliability targets; validate against vehicle constraints.
• Contribute to Building and maintaining performance models to guide design choices; drive cross-functional reviews and support domain signoffs with domain owners.
• Partner with hardware/RF leads to define system-level hardware and RF requirements and constraints (cellular/GNSS, eSIM, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, power, antenna/RF chains) and ensure they flow to silicon, RF, and PCB partners.
• Co-review schematic/PCB progress, RF performance criteria, EVT/DVT/PVT builds, and thermal/EMC/ESD/reliability status; surface and track risks jointly with hardware/RF owners.
• Assist with Coordination of lab bring-up and RF debug plans; ensure defects are logged, owned, and resolved by the right domain experts; track antenna performance and coexistence mitigation with the hardware/RF teams.
• Lead ECU integration activities into vehicle networks (CAN/CAN FD, Ethernet, LIN as applicable) in partnership with network owners.
• Define and execute system and RF integration tests across bench, HIL, RF chambers, and in-vehicle with cross-domain peers; triage issues across hardware, firmware, modem stack, and applications with clear ownership and hand-offs.
• Coordinate supplier and carrier deliverables with clear requirements, acceptance criteria, and documentation; flag risks early with supplier/carrier leads.
• Partner with SoC/modem, BSP, and middleware leads on SoC/modem selection, boot chain (UEFI/U-Boot, secure boot), BSP, middleware, and driver integration; co-evaluate performance/power trade-offs.
• Support alignment of data, voice, V2X, and cloud feature roadmaps with backend and mobile teams; jointly ensure diagnostics, logging, security, and OTA readiness via system-level plans.
• Ensure carrier and certification requirements are embedded into design and validation in partnership with modem and RF SMEs.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior