Principal Engineer, Embedded, Sensors, and Safety Software

The Company

Outrider, the pioneer in autonomous yard operations for logistics hubs, helps large enterprises improve safety and increase efficiency. The only company exclusively focused on automating all aspects of yard operations, Outrider eliminates manual tasks that are hazardous and repetitive. Outrider’s mission is to drive the rapid adoption of sustainable freight transportation by deploying zero-emission systems. Outrider is a private company backed by NEA, 8VC, Koch Disruptive Technologies, and other top-tier investors. For more information, visit www.outrider.ai .

The Role

The Principal Engineer, Embedded, Sensors, and Safety Software will create reliable, safety-critical software that senses, monitors, and controls the vehicle. This role requires exceptional software engineering skills, full development lifecycle knowledge, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in unstructured environments.

Successful candidates have a demonstrated technical track record in designing and implementing robust Software Test Infrastructure for complex hardware-based systems, bringing an exceptional system-level perspective and proficiency in software.

This role is mission-critical for helping deliver and scale a safety-critical system for industrial automation. The opportunity offers a technical, hands-on team member the chance to help develop a market-defining enterprise product that combines autonomous vehicle technology with a software-as-a-service (SaaS) business model.

The ideal candidate will embrace our goal to drive zero-emission, self-driving vehicle adoption, and help us realize our potential to define, build, and lead a new category of robotic automation for the enterprise.

Duties & Key Objectives

Build the Software and System Test Infrastructure

Design, implement, and deliver test solutions for components and integrated systems to meet quality, repeatability, and schedule milestones

Upgrade and maintain existing test solutions

Develop test cases to test software requirements at different levels of the development lifecycle (inc. HIL)

Integrate test solutions for continuous integration/continuous development

Develop, implement, and deliver automated characterization and calibration solutions for new and existing components, including perception sensors.

Develop high-quality, scalable software

Triage issues and perform root cause analysis using system context, user observations, and log data

Coordinate with hardware, system safety, and test teams to iterate on system performance and hit targets, metrics, and KPIs

Support product deployment, system maintenance, and the software development lifecycle for customer sites and system validation

Identify opportunities to improve deployed systems based on data

Address issues by developing software in C and C++ (from simple patch to feature re-architecture)

Develop embedded C software for control units, actuators, and sensors interfaced with the base vehicle

Deliver experiments to validate hypotheses, evaluate system performance and design changes, and support engineering decisions

Provide technical leadership and mentor team on software and system safety

Demonstrated bias for action, strong leadership and a continuous improvement mindset

Contribute to Outrider's growth and a culture of responsible zero-emission autonomous vehicle deployment

Outrider may require additional or different tasks as needed

Required Qualifications

Experience developing software test infrastructure for safety-critical systems

Exceptional system-level perspective, proficient in software, with practical familiarity in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering

Proficiency in Python

Experience developing application software in C and Modern C++ for embedded systems

Experience with test lab equipment (e.g. oscilloscope, data acquisition unit, signal generator…)

Experience with CAN and networking (UDP, TCP, DHCP, DNS, Wireshark…)

Professional experience using perception sensors (e.g RADARs, LIDARs, cameras…), GPS, encoders and other safety significant hardware (e.g. safety interlock systems)

Experience with REST APIs

Familiarity with development containers

Experience with Git and CI/CD pipelines

Experience with AI coding tools and willingness to adopt AI-assisted development workflows

Background developing software in a Linux environment

Proficiency across the full software development lifecycle

Exceptional analytical skills

Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field

Ideal Qualifications

Experience scaling a fleet of autonomous vehicles or mobile robots

Experience working with ROS or ROS2

Experience using IBM ELM/DOORS (inc. external integrations)

Familiarity with functional safety specifications, including ISO 26262 and IEC 61508

Master’s degree in computer engineering or computer science

Comp & Benefits

Salary range of $165,000 - $190,000.

Actual compensation is based on several factors, including but not limited to job-related skills, qualifications, experience, and specific work location due to differences in the cost of labor. In addition to a base salary, this role is also eligible for benefits, and equity bonus.

Equity: equity package commensurate on experience and skills

Relocation assistance

Health Insurance

Dental insurance

Vision Insurance

Parental Leave

401(K) Retirement

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Short-Term Disability

Long–Term Disability

Life insurance

Pet insurance

Mental health benefits

Professional Development Benefits

Please note: At this time, we are only hiring candidates who are currently authorized to work in the United States and reside within the U.S. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship or support international employment arrangements for this role.