Principal Systems Engineer (Automotive Compute Platform)

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

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

Company

hirify.global develops software and autonomous driving kits for automated trucks in collaboration with truck manufacturers, as part of the Daimler family.

What you will do

• Own system-level architecture, electrical/software interface alignment, and cross-domain integration strategy for the compute platform.
• Provide technical authority for design decisions involving compute, networking, power, sensors, and software abstraction.
• Define integration maturity milestones, release-readiness criteria, bring-up validation plans, and verification strategies.
• Collaborate with platform, diagnostics, validation, functional safety, software, hardware, vehicle, and OEM-facing teams.
• Identify platform risks, lead root-cause resolution, and drive scalable solutions across vehicle platforms and OEM configurations.
• Guide design reviews, debug sessions, technical roadmaps, configuration management, and requirements traceability while mentoring senior and staff engineers.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical, Computer, Robotics, or Systems Engineering; a PhD is a plus.
• 15+ years of experience in systems engineering, software/hardware integration, or platform-level product development.
• Deep expertise in compute platform integration, embedded systems, electrical/software boundary design, and system-level validation.
• Hands-on experience with real-time Linux, virtualization, automotive networking including CAN, Ethernet, and TSN, and power distribution.
• Strong working knowledge of system safety including ISO 26262, diagnostics including UDS/DIDs, and OTA infrastructure.
• Experience with integration maturity tracking, root-cause analysis, and field issue triage.
• Familiarity with CI/CD, GitHub-based workflows, and release engineering.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, align technical priorities with product vision, and work across software, hardware, and vehicle teams.
• Excellent communication and technical writing skills.

Nice to have

• Experience delivering scalable autonomy platforms or compute hardware into production vehicles.
• Experience working with global OEMs and managing technical interactions across organizational boundaries.
• Experience with system simulation, HIL/SIL validation, and multi-modal integration strategies.
• Ability to debug platform-level hardware/software issues and lead resolution across domain boundaries.
• A track record of leading by influence, fostering technical excellence, and building engineering culture.

Culture & Benefits

• Full-time employment in a collaborative, energetic, and team-focused environment.
• 100% paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for full-time employees.
• 401(k) plan with a 6% employer match, AD&D, and life insurance.
• Flexible schedule and generous paid vacation available immediately after the start date.
• Compensation may also include a corporate bonus, stock options, and, depending on the position, sign-on payments or relocation support.
• Commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace without discrimination based on protected characteristics.