Senior Software Engineer, XR Runtime

Distance Technologies; Helsinki; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Distance Technologies is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to build the software powering our XR displays in real-world settings, including vehicles and partner deployments. You will own significant parts of the runtime stack and contribute to a unified perception platform.

You will work with a small, mission-driven team on cutting-edge graphics, IPC, and OpenXR integration, delivering robust, high-performance software for hardware close to the data path.

Qualifications

• Senior-level experience in systems software with ownership of runtime or platform software.
• Strong modern C++ skills across large multi-library codebases.
• Expert Vulkan knowledge at implement/architecture level.
• Experience with OpenXR or comparable runtime APIs.

Responsibilities

• Own architecture for the compositor, OpenXR runtime, graphics core, and IPC services.
• Define runtime behavior, stability, and API design with clear contracts.
• Extend test coverage, drive product definition, and mentor team.

Skills

Systems software

Real-time graphics

IPC (multi-process)

OpenXR APIs

C++

Vulkan

Ownership

Adaptability

Communication skills

Automotive experience

Tools

CMake

OpenXR tooling

Graphics tools

Vulkan tools

Job description

We're looking for a Senior Software Engineer to help build the software that makes Distance's XR displays work in the real world - in vehicles, in the field, and in partner deployments. The technology is genuinely new, the problems are hard, and you'll have real ownership over how we turn research into something people can rely on every day.

WHY DISTANCE?

At Distance Technologies, the problem we're solving is simple to state and hard to solve: the amount of data in the world is endless, but human capacity is not. We are building a fundamentally new perception layer between humans and machines, transforming transparent surfaces into interfaces unlike the world has ever seen. Think of the windscreen of a car, the visor of a helmet, or a sight device, each becoming a new front-end for AI. The way we turn bits and atoms into expanded human perception is protected by over 50 granted patents internationally. We build it for two demanding worlds: defense and automotive. And we build it from a single foundation fusing software, hardware and computational optics.

There are 50 of us today, with decade-long experience building world's best products, optics, and open-source operating systems. We partner and build with globally leading companies like KIA, General Dynamics, Supacat, and Galvion, and we were Google Ventures' first investment in Finland. What we're building is hard, and will fundamentally change how we operate and see the world, and that's exactly why we seek exceptional people who enjoy building things never seen before.

THE ROLE & THE TEAM

You will be part of a core technology team building an unified runtime stack for cutting-edge mixed reality applications running on diverse mixed reality hardware and form factors.

Your core responsibilities include:

• Architecture & Implementation: Own the architecture for the compositor, OpenXR runtime, graphics core, and IPC services. Define graphics/compositor frameworks, including Vulkan/OpenGL resources, display paths, and performance on desktop and embedded GPUs.
• Runtime & Application Contract: Define OpenXR runtime behavior, client-facing stability, and API design. Manage the runtime-to-application contract, including compatibility rules and integration standards.
• System Reliability & Delivery: Set multi-process reliability expectations (crash recovery, session reuse, IPC stress). Extend automated test coverage, drive product definition, and mentor the engineering team on cross-stack changes.

We are looking for a senior colleague who takes ownership of their work and is capable of working also independently.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Work at the high-impact boundary between software and hardware, where breakthrough innovation takes shape
• You will be part of pioneering cutting-edge mixed reality solution, from headset-free autostereoscopic systems to rugged head-mounted displays built to excel in real-world, dynamic outdoor conditions
• Partner with world-class computer vision engineers and scientists to build cutting-edge vision systems that integrate diverse sensor inputs into a unified, superhuman perception stack

OUR EXPECTATIONS

• Senior-level experience in systems software, with deep expertise in at least two of the following: real-time graphics, multi-process IPC, OpenXR or comparable runtime APIs, and applications built on a platform you also engineered.
• Strong modern C++ skills across a large multi-library codebase (CMake, services, shared infrastructure).
• Demonstrated ownership of complex runtime or platform software, and the client or operator applications that consume it.
• Expertise in Vulkan (or equivalent) at the implementation and architecture levels, including cross-process resource sharing and synchronization.
• Experience defining integration contracts and release pairing between platform and application teams.
• Independent and ownership-oriented working style.
• Capability and willingness to lead both technical and people-related topics (note: the role does not include people manager responsibilities).
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, including experience with design docs, ADRs, and constructive technical leadership in reviews.
• Experience in the automotive industry and/or developer tooling is considered a plus.