Lead Engineer Virtual Driver

Volvo Group; Göteborgs kommun; On-site; SEK 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Volvo Group is seeking a Lead Engineer to own and drive the end-to-end Virtual Driver offroad stack. You will lead architecture evolution, ensure system robustness, and align across teams, including external partners.

The role emphasizes ownership, coaching, and effective communication in a cross-functional environment. We value hands-on automotive software experience in autonomous driving, ADAS, or Virtual Driver systems, with strong C++/Python and real-time systems skills.

Qualifications

• Strong expertise in autonomous driving, ADAS, or Virtual Driver systems.
• Proficiency in C++, Python, or similar, with real-time systems experience.
• Experience in validation and verification of industrial automotive software.
• Knowledge of ISO 26262, ISO 13849, and SOTIF, plus Ethernet, CAN, and DDS.
• Proven technical leadership across teams and systems thinking.

Responsibilities

• Own and be accountable for the end-to-end Virtual Driver offroad stack performance and maturity.
• Evolve the full system architecture of the Virtual Driver stack and interfaces.
• Provide technical and architectural leadership across the organization.
• Collaborate with Virtual Driver teams, external domain engineers, and partners.
• Identify risks, define strategies, and ensure robust, scalable solutions.

Skills

Autonomous driving

ADAS

C++

Python

Real-time systems

System architecture

Software validation

Leadership

DevOps

Collaboration

Tools

Ethernet

CAN

DDS

Job description

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Transport is at the core of modern society. Imagine using your expertise to shape sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions for the future. If you seek to make a difference on a global scale, working with next-gen technologies and the sharpest collaborative teams, then we could be a perfect match.

You will own and be accountable for the end-to-end Virtual Driver offroad stack, ensuring strong performance, robustness, requirements fulfillment, and scalability, including responsibility for system validation results and product maturity metrics.

Alongside this, the role involves continuously evolving the full system architecture of the Virtual Driver stack, covering interfaces and their impact on surrounding systems, while providing clear technical and architectural leadership across the organization. Close collaboration and alignment are expected with Virtual Driver teams, external domain engineering teams within V.A.S., and development partners both inside and outside the Volvo Group, across areas such as perception, planning, control, AI, integration, and platform layers. A key part of the role is defining and leading the execution of the Virtual Driver technology strategy, as well as driving cross-functional technology initiatives and broader architectural efforts. This includes proactively identifying and managing technical risks, trade-offs, and dependencies to ensure robust and sustainable solutions over time. Maintaining high engineering standards is essential, with a strong focus on coding practices, system design, and validation approaches, while also contributing to the continuous improvement of software development and validation processes, including HIL/SiL and DevOps setups and practices.

As a Lead Engineer, you act with ownership and end-to-end accountability, align teams around shared goals, and support engineers through coaching and mentoring. You also handle difficult conversations with clarity, focusing on outcomes and progress.

You will be an integral part of the Virtual Leadership team, made up of People Managers and Technical Leads with diverse backgrounds.

Who are you?

Do you dream big? We do too, and we are excited to grow together. In this role, you bring hands‑on experience in automotive software engineering, preferably within the truck or construction equipment industry, along with a proven track record of delivering autonomous driving, off‑road automation, or ADAS features into production and industrialized environments. You have a solid understanding of simulation, cloud platforms, and data pipelines, enabling you to operate effectively across modern software ecosystems.

You have experience in system integration and large‑scale validation of complex systems, ensuring robustness and readiness for deployment. Familiarity with agile development methodologies and DevOps practices allows you to thrive in fast‑paced, collaborative environments while maintaining a strong focus on quality and delivery.

Beyond your technical expertise, you are proactive, structured, and solution‑oriented, with a strong sense of ownership and accountability. You are comfortable navigating complexity, making informed decisions under constraints, and communicating clearly with diverse stakeholders. With a collaborative mindset, curiosity to learn, and the ability to connect deep technical knowledge with a system‑level perspective, you contribute effectively in a cross‑functional and innovative environment. Prior Experience & Competencies

Must have

• Strong expertise in autonomous driving, ADAS, or Virtual Driver systems, combined with a broad understanding of the overall Autonomous Transportation System and hands‑on experience in at least one core domain such as perception, planning, or control.
• A solid foundation in software engineering is required, including proficiency in C++, Python, or similar languages, along with experience working with real‑time systems.
• In addition, deep system‑level thinking and proven capabilities in architecture design are essential, together with experience in validation and verification of industrial‑grade automotive software, including testing, simulation, and best practice procedures.
• Knowledge of safety standards such as ISO 26262, ISO 13849, and SOTIF, as well as familiarity with communication technologies like Ethernet, CAN, DDS, and Unix‑like operating systems, is expected.
• The role also requires a strong track record of technical leadership across teams, with the ability to make sound decisions and communicate effectively in complex system environments under constraints. A key competence is the ability to connect customer needs with technical deliveries to ensure meaningful and high‑quality outcomes.

It is a benefit to have

• Experience working with AI and machine learning systems in production environments. Or experience working with Truck or Construction Vehicle Operations.

What’s in it for you?

We offer a solid package of compensation and benefits, plus you will enjoy:

• Strong opportunities to grow your career and develop your skills while working with a start‑up mindset, shaping new solutions in a fast‑moving and innovative environment.
• Collaborate across teams in a cross‑functional setup, contributing to bringing autonomous technology to market at scale.
• Play a key role in building a new business vertical for the Volvo group, making a tangible impact on both technology and business growth

Ready for the next move?

Come join us for a cup of coffee or a call. We’ll discuss how we can help each other on our journey together.

Reach out if you have any questions
Klara Oberhollenzer
[e-mail]

Last application date is October 27th.

As part of the recruitment process, a background check as well as alcohol and drug testing may be conducted. You will be informed if applicable.

We value your data privacy and therefore do not accept applications via mail.

Who we are and what we believe in
We are committed to shaping the future landscape of efficient, safe, and sustainable transport solutions. Fulfilling our mission creates countless career opportunities for talents across the group’s leading brands and entities.

Applying to this job offers you the opportunity to join Volvo Group. Every day, you will be working with some of the sharpest and most creative brains in our field to be able to leave our society in better shape for the next generation. We are passionate about what we do, and we thrive on teamwork. We are almost 100,000 people united around the world by a culture of care, inclusiveness, and empowerment.

Part of Volvo Group, Volvo Autonomous Solutions accelerates the development, commercialization and sales of autonomous transport solutions, focusing on defined segments for the on- and off-road space. The combination of strong tech expertise and skilled customer solutions creates innovative transport offers never seen before. We are constantly pushing our own skills and ability to drive change in a traditional industry to meet a growing customer demand. We are now looking for innovative, committed individuals to join us in our endeavor to create customer solutions that enhance safety, flexibility and productivity.

Job Category: Technology Engineering

Organization: Volvo Autonomous Solutions

Every day, Volvo Group products and services ensure that people have food on the table, children arrive safely at school and roads and buildings can be constructed. Looking ahead,we are committed to driving the transition to sustainable and safe transport, mobility and infrastructure solutions toward a net‑zero society.

Joining Volvo Group, you will work with some of the world’s most iconic brands and be part of a global and leading industrial company that is harnessing automated driving, electromobility and connectivity.

Our people are passionate about what they do, they aim for high performance and thrive on teamwork and learning. Everyday life at Volvo is defined by a climate of support, care and mutual respect.

If you aspire to grow and make an impact, join us on our journey to create a better and more resilient society for the coming generations.