Software Engineer I

Aurora Innovation•Mountain View, CA

12d•$116,000 - $174,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Aurora’s mission is to deliver the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly. The Aurora Driver will create a new era in mobility and logistics, one that will bring a safer, more efficient, and more accessible future to everyone. At Aurora, you will tackle massively complex problems alongside other passionate, intelligent individuals, growing as an expert while expanding your knowledge. We’re searching for a Software Engineer to join our Vehicle Platforms team. This role is a unique opportunity for a systems-minded coder to work at the foundational layer of our autonomous trucks, bridging the gap between high-level autonomy software and physical vehicle hardware. You will be instrumental in ensuring our sensors, compute units, and embedded devices function as a seamless, high-performance unit, making this one of the most hands-on software roles at Aurora.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
Strong proficiency in C++: Solid understanding of data structures, algorithms, and memory management (academic or project-based).
Hands-on Systems Experience: At least 1–2 years of relevant experience, which can be demonstrated through multiple internships, significant academic research, or professional work involving hardware-software interaction.
Linux Fundamentals: Experience working in a Linux environment with an understanding of command-line tools and system basics.
Exposure to Networking Protocols: Familiarity with the basics of data transport, such as TCP/IP, UDP, or serial communication.

Nice To Haves

Robotics or Embedded Projects: Experience with ROS/ROS2, microcontrollers (Arduino/STM32/ESP32), or hobbyist robotics.
Familiarity with Sensors: Prior exposure to Lidar, Radar, or Camera data processing and hardware interfaces.
Scripting Skills: Proficiency in Python for automation, data analysis, or building internal support tools.
Automotive Knowledge: Understanding of CAN bus protocols or Automotive Ethernet basics.
Safety Mindset: Familiarity with concepts of high-availability or safety-critical software design.

Responsibilities

Integrate Core Hardware Components: Write and maintain C++ interfaces and drivers that integrate Lidars, Radars, Cameras, and other embedded devices into the Aurora Driver stack.
Support Platform Bring-up: Participate in the initial software "bring-up" of new vehicle platforms, ensuring the onboard compute and sensors are correctly configured and communicating.
Optimize Onboard Performance: Profile and optimize code to ensure efficient use of limited CPU, GPU, and memory resources on the vehicle.
Monitor Hardware Health: Develop and refine software tools that track the real-time health and telemetry of our hardware components to ensure safe fleet operations.
Validate via HIL Infrastructure: Utilize Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) environments to test and verify your code changes against real-world hardware before deployment to the road.