Sr Staff Embedded Engineer (Graphics/Display)

We are CARIAD, an automotive software development team with the Volkswagen Group. Our mission is to make the automotive experience safer, more sustainable, more comfortable, more digital, and more fun. To achieve that we are building the leading tech stack for the automotive industry and creating a unified software platform for over 10 million new vehicles per year. We’re looking for talented, digital minds like you to help us create code that moves the world. Together with you, we’ll build outstanding digital experiences and products for all Volkswagen Group brands that will transform mobility. Join us as we shape the future of the car and everyone around it.

Role Summary:          

The Senior Staff Software Engineer, Embedded role is responsible for architecting, designing, and implementing software modules that drive the graphics, rendering, and display pipeline within CARIAD’s next-generation automotive infotainment platform.

This position focuses on the application and middleware layers of the infotainment stack—enabling high-performance rendering, efficient display composition, and seamless video integration across multiple in-vehicle displays. The engineer leads efforts to optimize visual performance, ensure frame synchronization, and deliver a responsive and visually consistent user experience.

Role Responsibilities:

Graphics and Display Software Development

• Architect, design, and implement graphics and display pipeline modules in the infotainment software stack (Android and embedded Linux environments).
• Collaborate with UX/UI and middleware teams to enable efficient rendering paths, surface composition, and multi-display rendering across clusters and infotainment displays.
• Optimize GPU usage, rendering performance, and memory footprint for real-time, high-fidelity visual output.
• Lead efforts on composition management, frame synchronization, and rendering optimization for embedded systems.
• Integrate video and graphics components—ensuring smooth transitions, synchronized playback, and quality rendering of multimedia assets.

System Integration 

• Partner with platform and hardware teams to ensure the graphics and display software layers interface seamlessly with SoC GPUs and display controllers.
• Collaborating with diverse software teams and both internal and external partners to ensure seamless integration between software and hardware components. 
• Lead integration testing, managing large test environments, and ensuring system reliability at scale.

Compliance and Standards 

• Drive compliance initiatives to ensure the software aligns with automotive industry standards and regulations (e.g., ISO 26262). 
• Staying up to date with emerging technologies and industry trends. 
• Champion the implementation of advanced best practices for software development, quality assurance, and performance optimization

Testing and Quality Assurance 

• Design and oversee comprehensive test plans to ensure software quality and reliability 
• Conducting unit testing, integration testing and system testing. 
• Lead cross-functional teams to resolve complex bugs and performance bottlenecks, driving continuous improvements.

Collaboration and Communication 

• Lead cross-functional collaboration with software, hardware, and quality assurance teams, driving alignment across multiple geographies and time zones.
• Serve as a key technical liaison, clearly articulating complex project status updates, technical challenges, and solutions to senior leadership.

Documentation 

• Create and maintain comprehensive technical documentation including design specification, test reports, bug description, root cause and solution description, user guides, and release notes. 
• Drive the creation of comprehensive user guides, release notes, and design documentation for large-scale projects.

General Skills:

• Analytical and debugging skills. 
• Effective written and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to actively participate in technical meetings and provide feedback. 
• Collaborate and work with multiple teams across geographies and time zones.  
• Excellent problem-solving and debugging skills.   
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.   
• Experience and ability to work in a very past pace environment. 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. 

Required Specialized Skills:

• Strong proficiency in C++ programming with experience in Android or embedded Linux graphics frameworks  
• Familiarity with scripting languages such as Python, Bash, or Perl.  
• Deep understanding of rendering architectures, display composition, and framebuffer management
• Experience in video/graphics synchronization, latency reduction, and GPU performance optimization
• Familiarity with multimedia frameworks and integration into infotainment systems
• Experience using test automation in a Test-Driven Development (TDD) process is a plus 
• Experience working with cross functional teams (product teams, system and validation teams, hardware teams). 
• Hands-on experience developing software products using Agile process.

Desired Skills:

• Experience with multi-display embedded systems
• Understanding of real-time operating constraints in infotainment environments
• Experience with Yocto/Open Embedded build systems and Linux distribution customization.
• Background in image processing or picture quality enhancement algorithms

Workplace Flexibility:

•  Calls, (virtual) meetings & workshops (overlapping with German/US business hours as needed) to align with leadership, development teams and partners. 
• Occasional international and domestic travel to provide on-site support and planning/integration workshops with our internal and external stakeholders. 

Years of Relevant Experience:

• 10+ years in developing embedded software development
• 5+ years’ experience focused on graphics, rendering, or display pipeline development
• 5+ years of experience as a tech lead, significantly contributing in overarching system design and SW architecture matters

Required Education:

•   Bachelor’s degree in computer/electrical engineering, Computer Science, or related field. 

Desired Education: 

•  Master’s degree or PhD in Computer/Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.

Compensation

Salary range is dependent on factors such as geographical differentials, credentials or certifications, industry-based experience, qualification and training. In the city of Mountain View, California, the salary range for this position is $182,310 - 264,195.

CARIAD, Inc. provides performance based merits and annual bonus along with a competitive benefits package. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401k with employer match and defined contribution plan, short and long term disability, basic life and AD&D insurance, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment plans, maternity and non-primary caregiver leave, adoption assistance, employee referral program and vacation and paid holidays. We also offer a unique vehicle lease program that covers registration and insurance fees. 

CARIAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, color, gender identity/expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws. 

Employment with CARIAD Inc. is subject to export control and sanctions compliance. Some positions may involve access to technology and/or software source code subject to U.S. legal restrictions on release to certain foreign persons based on citizenship or permanent residence. To ensure compliance, applicants will be required to provide information for screening. Employment may be contingent on the outcome, including verification of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status, or confirmation that a license, exemption, or exception applies. CARIAD retains the discretion to decline to obtain a required license in any case. By applying, you acknowledge and agree to participate in this process.