Staff Software Engineer - Simulation Vehicle Modeling (C++)

Location: Remote within the United States; Ann Arbor, MI is listed as the location.

Salary: $186,200–$223,400 USD annually, plus bonus and stock options.

Company

Develops software for automated trucks and autonomous driving systems as part of the Daimler family.

What you will do

• Own the architecture for scalable vehicle modeling and simulation across vehicle types, sensor platforms, and fleet configurations.
• Develop high-fidelity truck and vehicle dynamics models covering longitudinal, lateral, transient, nominal, off-nominal, and failure-mode behavior.
• Build simulation platforms, robustness testing frameworks, and closed-loop evaluation pipelines for large-scale verification, validation, and reinforcement learning.
• Define statistical validation metrics and verification strategies supporting safety-case claims and driver-out certification.
• Partner with autonomy, controls, safety, OEM, and simulation-tool teams to capture requirements, integrate capabilities, and resolve complex issues.
• Set technical direction, communicate model limitations and releases, mentor engineers, and drive software quality across the simulation organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of relevant experience, master’s degree with 7+ years, or PhD with 3+ years in a relevant technical field.
• Deep proficiency in C++, with Python for tooling, ROS/ROS2, CMake, and Linux.
• Strong experience with physics-based ground-vehicle modeling, including vehicle dynamics, tire models, and powertrains.
• Working knowledge of autonomous vehicle planning, controls, and system integration.
• Experience defining validation metrics, robustness frameworks, automated validation pipelines, unit/integration/regression testing, and simulation benchmarking at scale.
• Experience driving technical consensus, maintaining cross-repository systems, making architectural decisions, and mentoring engineers.

Nice to have

• Technical leadership of a vehicle simulation sub-team across vehicle types, sensors, or fleet variability.
• High-fidelity truck, trailer, or heavy-vehicle modeling experience.
• Experience with large-scale closed-loop autonomous vehicle simulation, scenario-based validation, or sim-to-real correlation.
• Familiarity with learned models consuming simulation and vehicle-model outputs in autonomy validation workflows.

Culture & Benefits

• Collaborative, energetic, and team-focused work environment.
• Competitive compensation with bonus and stock options.
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for full-time employees.
• 401(k) plan with a 6% employer match, life insurance, and AD&D coverage.
• Flexible scheduling, generous paid vacation available from the start date, and company-wide holiday office closures.