Senior Software Engineer (Embedded Runtime Infrastructure)

TL;DR

Senior Software Engineer (Embedded Runtime Infrastructure): Designing and maintaining high-performance software systems for automated driving, spanning high-level runtime and safety-critical embedded firmware with an accent on RTOS configuration, memory isolation, and deterministic scheduling. Focus on building robust infrastructure for autonomy stacks, debugging complex concurrency issues on target hardware, and ensuring system safety and reliability.

Location: Must be based in or able to work from Pittsburgh, PA, Palo Alto, CA, or Dearborn, MI. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis.

Salary: $179,200 - $268,800 USD

Company

A Ford Motor Company subsidiary developing automated driving technology at the speed of a startup.

What you will do

• Design and develop high-performance software from application-level runtime down to safety-critical firmware.
• Configure and harden RTOS-based runtimes on automotive SoCs, focusing on memory protection and deterministic boot behavior.
• Diagnose timing, memory, and concurrency issues using hardware debuggers and on-target tracing tools.
• Maintain low-level system artifacts including linker scripts, startup code, and memory maps.
• Collaborate with simulation teams to ensure runtime systems are accurately tested in virtual and HIL/SIL environments.
• Participate in system-wide software and safety architecture development, including freedom-from-interference strategies.

Requirements

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field and 4+ years of experience (or Master's/PhD with 2+ years).
• Proven experience developing embedded/firmware software on resource-constrained platforms.
• Experience with RTOS (e.g., SafeRTOS, FreeRTOS, QNX) on ARM Cortex-R or Cortex-M cores.
• Proficiency in C++11 or newer in a systems or embedded programming role.
• Working knowledge of low-level topics like MPU/MMU configuration, cache coherency, and interrupt handling.

Nice to have

• Experience with automotive SoCs like TI Jacinto, NXP S32, or NVIDIA Orin.
• Familiarity with ISO 26262 (ASIL B/D) safety standards.
• Experience with Bazel, ROS, or publish/subscribe communication models.
• Experience implementing memory firewalls or hypervisor-based partitioning.

Culture & Benefits

• Competitive compensation with annual bonus and equity programs.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance with HSA options.
• Employer-matched 401(k) retirement plan with immediate vesting.
• Unlimited vacation policy and 15 paid holidays.
• Professional development reimbursement and monthly wellness stipends.
• Support programs including parental leave, backup child/elder care, and adoption assistance.