Engineering Manager, App SW - Embedded

Wayve; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 252,500 - 298,200; Full time

Job summary

Wayve is seeking a technical leader to build and lead our US Application Engineering team in Detroit. This position will drive the localization and advancement of Wayve's autonomous driving technology.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience in embedded software development, team leadership, and a strong understanding of Linux-based systems. This role offers a competitive salary range of $252,500 to $298,200 and operates on a hybrid working model.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in embedded or automotive software development.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-performing engineering teams.
• Deep understanding of Linux-based embedded systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead software bring-up on customer hardware platforms.
• Build and lead an engineering team in the US.
• Collaborate with Verification & Release teams.

Skills

C/C++ proficiency

Bash

Python

Embedded systems understanding

CI/CD integration

Hardware debugging

CAN and Ethernet protocols

Tools

Docker

Jenkins

Git

Job description

The Role

We’re seeking an exceptional technical leader to build and lead our US Application Engineering team, a high-impact group driving localisation and advancement of Wayve’s autonomous driving technology for the US market. This is a unique opportunity to shape our AV capabilities in the US from the ground up.

As one of the key managers, you’ll lead the bring‑up and early validation of our AI software stack on customer hardware platforms, ensuring seamless performance across diverse SoCs and operating systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead software bring‑up on customer hardware platforms (e.g. NVIDIA Drive, Qualcomm Ride).
• Build and lead an engineering team in the US, hiring and mentoring top talent.
• Port and configure Linux-based systems, QNX, and Adaptive AUTOSAR environments.
• Validate integration of drivers, middleware, and boot‑time configurations.
• Collaborate with Verification & Release teams to integrate hardware into CI/CD, HIL, and test infrastructure.
• Partner with OEM and Tier 1 teams to resolve hardware‑specific integration issues.
• Enable system‑level diagnostics, logging, and secure boot configuration.
• Automate setup, flashing, health checks, and test execution on target hardware.

About You

In order to set you up for success at Wayve, we’re looking for the following skills and experience.

Essential

• 8+ years of experience in embedded or automotive software development, ideally with hands‑on platform bring‑up experience.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++, Bash, and Python.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and grow high‑performing engineering teams, ideally in geographically distributed or independent settings.
• Deep understanding of Linux‑based embedded systems (Yocto, systemd, bootloaders, device trees).
• Familiarity with QNX and Adaptive AUTOSAR environments and the ability to configure and debug them on target hardware.
• Experience with bring‑up on automotive‑grade SoCs (e.g., NVIDIA Orin, Qualcomm SA8295/SA8650, Renesas, TI).
• Comfortable working with hardware debuggers, flashing tools, serial consoles, and board support packages (BSPs).
• Familiarity with communication protocols like CAN, Ethernet, PCIe, SPI, I2C.
• Hands‑on experience integrating embedded platforms into CI/CD pipelines and test automation frameworks.

Desired

• Exposure to automotive verification environments (e.g., HIL systems, Vector toolchains, custom CI rigs).
• Experience working in a safety‑critical domain with an understanding of ISO 26262, boot‑time determinism, and watchdogs.
• Understanding of secure boot, OTA updates, and system‑level cybersecurity topics.
• Familiarity with Docker, Jenkins, Git, and artifact management tools like JFrog Artifactory.

This role is a full‑time role based in Detroit or Sunnyvale, CA (hybrid) and the reasonably estimated salary for this role ranges from $252,500 to $298,200, plus a competitive equity package. Actual compensation is based on the candidate’s skills, qualifications, and experience.

At Wayve we want the best of all worlds so we operate a hybrid working policy that combines time together in our offices and workshops to fuel innovation, culture, relationships and learning, and time spent working from home. We operate core working hours so you can determine the schedule that works best for you and your team.