Embedded Software Engineer - Drive Systems (Automotive)

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

Company

Zoox develops autonomous vehicles and the software systems that enable safe, reliable passenger transportation.

What you will do

• Build and contribute to simulation, emulation, SIL, and HIL infrastructure for validating drive-control software.
• Design, develop, and test embedded software that translates autonomous trajectories into motor-torque, brake-torque, and steering-angle commands.
• Implement control-source arbitration and continuous safety monitoring across trajectory execution and drive-control ECUs.
• Integrate supplier subsystems, including steering, motoring, braking, and active suspension, into the software stack.
• Collaborate with Motion & Controls, Vehicle Dynamics, Safety Systems, Validation, and partner teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics, or equivalent experience.
• 1–3 years of experience developing real-time embedded software for distributed electro-mechanical systems and related simulation and test infrastructure.
• Strong experience with embedded C/C++ and Python for testing.
• Experience with QNX, SafeRTOS, FreeRTOS, or a similar embedded operating system.
• Understanding of automotive communication protocols, including CAN and LIN, plus sensor and actuator integration.

Nice to have

• Experience with CAN/LIN analysis and debugging tools such as PCAN, CANalyzer, or CANape.
• Familiarity with high-assurance development practices and tools, including Polarion, ISO 26262, and MISRA C/C++.
• Hands-on experience with hardware bring-up, system debugging, or SIL/HIL test infrastructure.

Culture & Benefits

• Work on production-quality, safety-critical software for complex dynamic systems.
• Collaborate across embedded software, motion control, vehicle dynamics, safety, and validation disciplines.
• Contribute to software that operates autonomous vehicles in passenger service, depots, test tracks, and production environments.