Engineer I, VLA Model Development (Intern)

CARIAD, Inc.; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401k with employer match

Disability insurance

Life and AD&D

Tuition reimbursement

Vacation and paid holidays

Vehicle lease program

Job summary

CARIAD, Inc. in Mountain View, CA is seeking an Engineer I for VLA Model Development (Intern) to support research and development of vision-language-action models for autonomous driving.

You will work with researchers and engineers to connect visual observations and language with driving actions. Ideal candidates are pursuing a master’s or PhD in Computer Science with strong Python and PyTorch skills, and an interest in perception, scene understanding, or world models.

Qualifications

• Strong Python programming skills and practical experience with PyTorch or an equivalent deep learning framework.
• Foundations in deep learning, linear algebra, probability, and experimental design.
• Hands-on experience in at least one area: vision-language-action models, computer vision / perception, or world models.

Responsibilities

• Prototype, train, and fine-tune VLA models or supporting perception and world-model components.
• Investigate recent methods and implement a focused research project with mentor guidance.
• Prepare driving datasets and evaluation splits; improve data quality and coverage.
• Run controlled experiments and ablations and maintain reproducible configurations and experiment records.
• Measure model accuracy, driving behavior, robustness, and inference cost.
• Analyze failures in offline and simulation evaluation; collaborate with planning and deployment engineers on model interfaces.
• Document methods, results, and limitations; review code and present findings.

Skills

Python

PyTorch

Deep learning

Experiment design

Data preparation

Education

Master's or PhD in Computer Science

Tools

GPU training

Distributed experiments

Git

Job description

Mountain View, CA

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.

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 Engineer I, VLA Model Development (Intern) will support model research and development for autonomous driving at CARIAD INC. and the Volkswagen Group. Working with researchers and engineers, this role will develop and evaluate vision-language-action (VLA) models that connect visual observations and language with driving actions. Depending on project needs and research strengths, the work may focus on perception, scene understanding, or world models that predict how driving environments evolve.

Role Responsibilities:

VLA Model and Development

• Prototype, train, and fine-tune VLA models or supporting perception and world-model components.
• Investigate recent methods and implement a focused research project with mentor guidance.

Data and Experimentation

• Prepare driving datasets and evaluation splits; improve data quality and coverage.
• Run controlled experiments and ablations and maintain reproducible configurations and experiment records.

Evaluation and Integration

• Measure model accuracy, driving behavior, robustness, and inference cost.
• Analyze failures in offline and simulation evaluation; collaborate with planning and deployment engineers on model interfaces.

Documentation and Collaboration

• Document methods, results, and limitations; review code and present findings.
• Deliver a reproducible prototype and a final technical report.

General Skills:

• Analytical thinking and structured problem solving; clear written and verbal communication; careful documentation; collaboration across research and engineering teams.

Required Specialized Skills:

• Strong Python programming skills and practical experience with PyTorch or an equivalent deep learning framework.
• Foundations in deep learning, linear algebra, probability, and experimental design.
• Hands-on experience in at least one area: vision-language-action models, computer vision / perception, or world models.
• Ability to prepare datasets, train or fine-tune models, debug failures, and evaluate results reproducibly.

Desired Skills:

• Experience with transformers, multimodal learning, imitation learning, diffusion models, or action-conditioned prediction.
• Experience with driving video, 3D, scene understanding, multi-sensor data, or simulation.
• Familiarity with GPU training, distributed experiments, or modal inference optimization.
• Research publications, open-source contributions, or a substantial research project.

Workplace Flexibility:

• On-site five days a week in Mountain View, CA, following the supplied template. Work arrangement and internship schedule TBD.
• This is an intern W2 position / Hourly rate $44.88 - $96.00
• This role is based in Mountain View, CA. Must be local, no relocation.
• Immediate availability is required. The selected candidate is expected to start promptly upon offer acceptance and pending successful completion of a standard background check and drug screening

Years of Relevant Experience:

• Research, coursework, or project experience developing and evaluating deep learning models. Prior industry experiences are not required.

Required Education:

• Currently pursuing or holding a master’s or PhD degree in Computer Science.

Desired Education:

• Currently pursuing a PhD in Computer Science is preferred, particularly with research in machine learning, computer vision, or embodied AI.

Compensation

Hourly range is dependent on factors such as geographical differentials, credentials or certifications, industry-based experience, qualification and training. In the city of Mountain View, CA, the hourly range for this intern position is $44.88 - $69.00

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 contingent upon the successful completion of this screening process. We emphasize the importance of compliance with export control and sanctions laws as a fundamental aspect of our operations. Our company is dedicated to adhering to these regulations to ensure the lawful and ethical conduct of our business activities. Employment with our company is contingent upon either verifying U.S. citizenship or U.S. lawful permanent resident status or obtaining any necessary license or confirming the availability of an applicable exemption or license exception. You, the applicant, will be required to answer certain questions for export control purposes, and that information will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law. Cariad Inc. may choose not to apply for a license or use an applicable license exception (if available) for such individuals whose access to export-controlled technology or software source code may require authorization and may decline to proceed with an applicant on that basis alone.

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.