3D Application Engineer (Automotive 3D Visualization)

42dot; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 172,000 - 238,000; Full time

Job summary

42dot seeks a Senior or Staff Software Engineer to lead the development of next-generation digital cockpit visuals. You will craft high-fidelity, real-time 3D environments for in-vehicle infotainment and ADAS visualizations, acting as the technical anchor for our 3D strategy while balancing architecture with hands-on implementation.

You’ll master engine pipelines, optimize for automotive-grade hardware, and drive integration between sensors and 3D scenes.

Qualifications

• Hands-on engine expertise in Unreal or Unity with real-time cockpit/infotainment visuals.
• Expert in C++, C#, and GPU shader development (HLSL).
• Strong 3D math for spatial transformations and camera logic.
• Proficiency with modern rendering pipelines (PBR, lighting, post-processing).
• Experience with mobile/embedded graphics targets and performance tuning.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of 3D cockpit HMI and real-time visualization for in-vehicle systems.
• Build and optimize core frameworks powering real-time 3D clusters and HMIs.
• Bridge vehicle sensor data with 3D scene graph for low-latency visuals.
• Profile and optimize engine performance on automotive-grade SoCs.
• Develop engine plugins and automated build pipelines from design to hardware.

Skills

C++

C#

3D math

Shader programming

Real-time rendering

Unreal Engine

Unity3D

Mobile/embedded graphics

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity3D

Custom 3D rendering system

HLSL

HDRP

Job description

We are looking for the best

About Us

42dot is a mobility AI company committed to solving mobility challenges with software and AI. As the Global Software Center of Hyundai Motor Group, 42dot pioneers the future of mobility by advancing the development of software-defined vehicles.

We develop safety-first, user-centric software-defined vehicle technologies that deliver the latest performance through continuous updates like smartphones. By advancing software and AI technology, 42dot envisions a world where everything is connected and moves autonomously through a self-managing urban transportation operating system.

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior or Staff Software Engineer to lead the development of our next-generation digital cockpit. This role focuses on delivering high-fidelity, real-time 3D environments for in-vehicle infotainment and advanced driver assistance visualizations. You will be the technical anchor for our 3D strategy, moving fluidly between high-level architecture and deep, hands-on implementation within industry-leading engines.

Responsibilities

• Engine Mastery: Take a primary, hands-on role in developing and optimizing our vehicle HMI using Unreal Engine (C++), Unity3D (C#) or a custom 3D rendering system.

• You will be responsible for building the core frameworks that power our real-time 3D clusters and HMIs.

• Architecture & Integration: Design the bridge between vehicle sensor data (SDV and VHAL) and the 3D scene graph, ensuring low-latency visualization of the vehicle’s surroundings.

• Embedded Optimization: Profile and optimize engine performance for automotive-grade SoCs, focusing on memory footprint, GPU utilization, and thermal efficiency.

• Tooling & Pipelines: Develop custom engine plugins and automated build pipelines to streamline the deployment of 3D assets from design to the target vehicle hardware.

Qualifications

• Hands-on Engine Expertise: For Unreal: Deep experience with C++, Blueprints, UObject system, and custom shader development (HLSL).

• For Unity: Mastery of C#, the High Definition Render Pipeline (HDRP), and custom package development.

• Graphics Programming: Strong understanding of the modern rendering pipeline, including PBR, lighting, and post-processing, specifically for mobile or embedded targets.

• Core Languages: Expert-level proficiency in C++ and familiarity with modern languages like Kotlin or Swift for platform-level integration.

• Mathematics: Strong foundation in 3D math (vectors, quaternions, matrices) required for complex spatial transformations and camera logic.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience deploying Unity or Unreal-based HMI onto Android Automotive OS (AAOS) or specialized Linux distributions. Familiarity with emulator-based testing environments (e.g., Cuttlefish) for 3D UI validation. Knowledge of functional safety standards and their impact on real-time graphics in a vehicle environment.

Interview Process

• Application Review - Coding Test - 1st interview - 2nd interview - Offer Negotiation - Hiring

• The screening procedures may vary depending on the position, schedule, or other circumstances.

Compensation

• $172,000 - $237,800

Additional Information

• In accordance with fair hiring practices, do not include any personal information unrelated to your job qualifications (e.g., Social Security Number, family relations, marital status, age, photo, physical condition, place of birth, etc.) in your resume.

• All documents must be submitted in PDF format and under 30MB in size.

• We strongly encourage applications from U.S. veterans and candidates eligible for employment preference under applicable laws.

• Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

• 42dot does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not pay fees for any such submissions. Equal Opportunity Statement

• 42dot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.

Please review the following information before applying.

• How to work in 42dot, About 42dot Way