Staff Engineer, OEM Platform Integration

About the role

This role represents a critical technical leadership position responsible for the design and implementation of systems that ensure our self-driving technology integrates reliably with automotive hardware. You will serve as the primary technical bridge between our autonomous driving software stack and the complex realities of original equipment manufacturer vehicle platforms. The position requires ownership of the full integration lifecycle, from initial architectural discussions through final validation in the vehicle. You will lead cross-functional initiatives that translate software requirements into robust hardware interfaces. A significant portion of your work will involve resolving intricate technical challenges that emerge at the intersection of software logic and physical vehicle systems. Success in this role depends on establishing clear standards that enhance development efficiency while maintaining the highest levels of system safety. You will be accountable for delivering integration solutions that are both technically sound and practical for large scale automotive production.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Architect and oversee the integration of autonomous driving stacks into various vehicle platforms, ensuring alignment with long term product roadmaps.
• Collaborate with automotive partners to align hardware specifications with software requirements, defining interfaces that are both robust and scalable.
• Resolve complex technical challenges related to vehicle communication protocols and control systems, diagnosing issues that span multiple engineering domains.
• Establish standards for platform integration to improve development efficiency and system safety, creating reusable assets for future vehicle programs.
• Partner with hardware engineering teams to validate electronic control unit configurations and ensure deterministic behavior of integrated systems.
• Define and execute test procedures that verify the correct interaction between our software modules and the host vehicle infrastructure.
• Analyze data from vehicle integrations to identify root causes of failures and drive improvements in both software architecture and hardware design.
• Work closely with manufacturing and quality teams to ensure that integration solutions are practical, reliable, and cost effective for high volume production.
• Mentor junior engineers on integration best practices, fostering a deep understanding of automotive constraints and software capabilities.
• Act as the technical authority on platform compatibility, interfacing directly with customer engineering teams during evaluation and production phases.
• Evaluate new vehicle platforms and hardware components, determining their suitability for deployment with our autonomous driving systems.
• Drive the creation of detailed integration documentation that serves as the definitive reference for internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

• Extensive professional experience in systems engineering or automotive software development, demonstrating a history of delivering complex integration projects.
• Deep understanding of vehicle communication architectures such as CAN, FlexRay, and Ethernet, and their application in real world automotive environments.
• Proven track record of leading technical projects within the autonomous vehicle or automotive industry, with evidence of successful program outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast paced, matrixed organization where priorities can shift based on project needs and technical discoveries.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, enabling clear articulation of highly technical concepts to both engineering specialists and executive stakeholders.
• Experience interfacing with automotive customers and original equipment manufacturers, understanding the nuances of their engineering processes.
• Commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety and reliability, with a disciplined approach to problem solving and risk assessment.
• Willingness to travel to customer sites, supplier locations, and vehicle test facilities as required to support integration activities and relationship building.

Skills & tools

Automotive communication protocols

Systems architecture

Vehicle control systems

Hardware software integration

Practical notes

This role may require travel to customer sites, supplier locations, and vehicle test facilities as required to support integration activities and relationship building.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for this position, and no sponsorship is available at this time.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of all background checks and applicable physical examinations as required by Motional policies.