Senior Software Engineer - OS, Robot Software

Wayve • Sunnyvale, CA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Wayve’s Robot Software team builds onboard software for its development fleet, enabling autonomous driving and collecting data to train new driving models. The OS team curates Wayve’s bespoke Linux and QNX distributions and works with hardware, supply chain, field engineering, reliability, and other Robot Software teams. This role helps deliver a reliable, stable, and flexible operating-system platform so model developers and scientists can iterate quickly while supporting new vehicles, sensors, peripherals, and product features.

The engineer will build and maintain embedded Linux and QNX platform software, kernels, and device drivers; develop high-quality C and C++ software that is observable and debuggable on remotely operated vehicles; and diagnose performance problems across system layers. The work includes Wayve’s embedded Linux distribution, high-throughput IPC middleware for robotics, robust remote diagnostics, and integration across NVIDIA Jetson, NVIDIA DRIVE, QNX, and future vehicle-compute platforms. The role also contributes to fault tolerance, testing, documentation, tooling, maintainability, and team engineering culture.

Wayve operates a hybrid working model, combining in-person collaboration at its offices with remote work. The role may also involve hands-on work in vehicle workshops and labs. Locations and benefits are location-dependent.

Requirements

• Strong C and C++ experience building high-performance embedded Linux system software.
• Understanding of the full software development lifecycle, from design through delivery and optimisation.
• Hands-on knowledge of embedded Linux kernels, device trees, Yocto, boot flows, or user-space systems software.
• Ability to debug complex performance and reliability problems across system layers.
• Understanding of IPC mechanisms and middleware used in high-throughput robotics systems.
• Care for testing, documentation, observability, maintainability, and collaboration.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with NVIDIA robotics or automotive platforms.
• Experience with QNX or another RTOS.
• Experience with secure boot.
• Experience with ROS-style frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain embedded Linux and QNX platform software, kernels, and device drivers.
• Work with product, program, hardware, and engineering stakeholders to select and deliver appropriate solutions.
• Develop high-quality C and C++ software that is observable and debuggable on remotely operated vehicles.
• Diagnose performance problems involving stack traces, core dumps, disk I/O, CPU load, memory, devices, and threading.
• Improve fault tolerance, diagnostics, testing, documentation, tooling, and ease of use.
• Mentor teammates and contribute to a strong engineering culture.
• Support Wayve’s embedded Linux distribution, including Yocto, kernel configuration, device trees, boot sequence, and secure boot.
• Provide Linux kernel and device-driver support for new sensors, peripherals, and compute platforms.
• Develop high-throughput IPC middleware for robotics applications.
• Improve diagnostics and remote debugging for vehicles with limited connectivity.
• Integrate platform software across NVIDIA Jetson, NVIDIA DRIVE, QNX, and future vehicle-compute platforms.

Benefits

• Salaries benchmarked against the market annually.
• Meaningful equity.
• Relocation support and visa sponsorship where applicable.
• Hybrid working and core hours.
• Learning and development budgets with support for training, conferences, and growth.
• Comprehensive benefits including health insurance, dental, enhanced maternity and paternity leave, retirement or pension where applicable, access to therapists, wellbeing partnerships, and team socials.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed