Senior Software Engineer, C++ Vehicle Experience (Autonomous Vehicles)

Location: Foster City, CA, United States; hybrid workplace

Company

Zoox is building an AI-driven autonomous transportation product designed to provide a premium rider experience.

What you will do

• Design and implement real-time C++ software for autonomous vehicle ride states, passenger interactions, vehicle controls, and rider-facing systems on embedded Linux.
• Architect and integrate software components that process data from multiple vehicle sensors and systems.
• Implement robust error handling and failsafe mechanisms aligned with automotive-grade safety standards.
• Analyze performance metrics and telemetry to optimize efficiency, troubleshoot issues, and improve ride management.
• Collaborate with vehicle software, cloud engineering, Product Management, Technical Program Management, UX Design, Quality Assurance, and Feature Integration teams.

Requirements

• BS or MS in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of software development experience.
• Strong expertise in modern C++ development on Linux systems.
• Experience with modern software development practices including Git, CI/CD, code review, automated testing, validation methodologies, and cross-team collaboration in large, complex software projects.
• Experience leading 2–3 engineers in feature delivery.
• Experience building user-centric product software, collaborating with Product Management and UX designers, and translating UX requirements into technical implementations.

Nice to have

• Knowledge of robotics, automotive, or embedded systems software development, including real-time constraints and hardware interfaces.
• Hands-on production experience with Data Distribution Service (DDS) middleware, including performance optimization and fault tolerance.
• Proficiency with distributed systems in Java, Kotlin, or Python.

Culture & Benefits

• Hybrid work in Foster City, California.
• Work on highly visible autonomous vehicle features focused on rider safety, situational awareness, personalization, performance, reliability, and quality.
• Zoox values diverse perspectives and encourages applications from candidates who do not match every listed expectation.