Principal Engineer – Embedded Systems & Security

City of Lincoln; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 185,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

401(k) match

Relocation assistance

Hybrid schedule

EAP

Job summary

Karma Automotive in Irvine, CA, seeks a Principal Engineer for Embedded Systems & Security to bridge vehicle ECUs with cloud services. You will drive architecture for SDV, lead cybersecurity initiatives, and guide cross‑functional teams across embedded and cloud domains.

You will shape end‑to‑end software architecture, oversee MBSE and safety analyses, and mentor engineers in design patterns and secure deployment practices. Hybrid work is available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of software architecture or systems engineering in automotive or embedded domains.
• Experience in cloud-native development and low-level embedded development (C/C++, AUTOSAR, RTOS).
• Strong understanding of distributed systems and safety standards (ISO 26262, ISO 21434).

Responsibilities

• Ensure ISO 21434 cybersecurity principles across architecture.
• Lead cybersecurity initiatives and manage the cybersecurity process.
• Define end-to-end software architecture across vehicle and cloud platforms.
• Design microservice-based data analytics, OTA updates, and diagnostics.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, and systems teams to ensure modular, scalable designs.
• Lead architecture reviews and define interfaces and APIs (SOME/IP, DDS, MQTT, REST/gRPC).
• Mentor teams on architecture best practices and code quality.

Skills

Cloud-native

Embedded systems

ISO 21434

ISO 26262

A-SPICE

C/C++

Python/Java

Microservices

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in CS/EE

Tools

Kubernetes

Docker

CI/CD

REST/gRPC

SOME/IP/DDS

MQTT

Job description

• Job Category Cybersecurity, Embedded Systems
• Employee Type Exempt
• Required Degree 4 Year Degree

Description

Principal Engineer - Embedded Systems & Security

We are seeking an experienced Principal Engineer – Embedded Systems & Security to join our automotive engineering organization. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in both cloud-based microservices architectures and embedded automotive systems, with a strong understanding of functional safety (ISO 26262) and an emphasis on cybersecurity (ISO 21434) standards. This role bridges vehicle-side embedded control systems with cloud and edge computing services, helping define and implement next-generation Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) architectures.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with experience in software development environments, particularly within the automotive sector, and has a solid understanding of A-SPICE and Agile methodologies.

• Be part of an innovative team shaping the next generation of Software-Defined Vehicles.
• Work across the full vehicle software stack—from embedded ECUs to cloud infrastructure.
• Collaborate with industry-leading experts in automotive architecture, AI/ML, and cloud systems.

Responsibilities (include, but are not limited to):

• Ensure architectural alignment with ISO 21434 cybersecurity principles
• Lead cybersecurity initiatives, own the cybersecurity management system
• Define and evolve the end-to-end software architecture across vehicle and cloud platforms, covering edge devices, embedded ECUs, zone controllers, and cloud services.
• Design and guide implementation of microservice-based architectures for data analytics, OTA (Over-the-Air) updates, diagnostics, and connected vehicle features.
• Collaborate with hardware, systems, and software teams to ensure scalable, modular, and safe system integration.
• Lead architecture reviews and define software interfaces, service APIs, and communication protocols (e.g., SOME/IP, DDS, MQTT, REST/gRPC).
• Mentor cross-functional engineering teams on architecture best practices, design patterns, and code quality standards.
• Evaluate and integrate third-party technologies, frameworks, and toolchains to improve platform capabilities.
• Support model-based system design, safety analysis, and traceability of requirements to implementation.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in software architecture or systems engineering within automotive or embedded domains.
• Proven experience in both cloud-native software development (microservices, containers, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, RESTful APIs) and low-level embedded development (C/C++, AUTOSAR, RTOS, bootloaders, CAN/Ethernet).
• Strong understanding of distributed systems, data communication protocols, and service discovery.
• Hands-on experience designing or validating safety-critical systems under ISO 26262 (ASIL-B or higher).
• Formal training in ISO 21434 or equivalent cybersecurity frameworks for connected vehicles.
• Experience with DevOps, container orchestration, and secure software deployment pipelines.
• Proficiency in multiple programming languages (e.g., C, C++, Python, Java, Rust, or Go).

Preferred Qualifications (In addition to required)

• 3+ years leading cybersecurity architecture and process practices with adherence to U.N. R155/R156
• Experience with zonal architectures, service-oriented automotive platforms, or vehicle-cloud synchronization.
• Familiarity with AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud automotive solutions.
• Understanding of vehicle diagnostics (UDS/DoIP), OTA update frameworks, and data logging/telemetry systems.
• Knowledge of AUTOSAR Adaptive, ASIL decomposition strategies, and cybersecurity threat modeling.
• Experience with Simulink, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), or system simulation environments.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills for cross-domain collaboration.

Physical Requirements:

Note: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee should have the:

• Ability to frequently use or operate a computer, mouse, and/or other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, computer printer, etc.
• Ability to frequently use hand(s) for repetitive actions (grasping and fine manipulation).
• Ability to frequently walk or move –to regularly move about inside the office.
• Ability to frequently see or detect, identify, recognize, or assess surroundings while in the office.
• Ability to occasionally bend, kneel, crouch, turn, and stoop.
• Ability to frequently sit or be stationary for extended continuous periods of time. Ability to stand for occasional periods of time.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or push/pull up to 20 pounds.

Work Environment

In addition to our competitive compensation, you will also be eligible for the following at Karma:

• Medical Plan choices include HMO, PPO & HDHP (High-Deductible Health Plan)
• Health Savings Account & Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Health & Well-Being Program Events
• Company Paid Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
• 401(k) with Employer Match
• Relocation Assistance (if applicable)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Sick Time, Vacation time and Personal Floaters
• Paid Holidays including Company’s Annual Year End Shutdown
• Karma Cares Program (Quarterly Lunch)
• Work life Balance (Flexible and Hybrid Work Schedule)
• Employee Driving Program

Compensation:

$185,000 - 230,000 /annual salary. Compensation will vary DOE.

At Karma, our base pay is one part of our total rewards package.

Compensation offered may vary on multiple factors, including market location, education, skills and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position being offered.

Karma Automotive, Inc. is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, gender identity and expression, color, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy or related conditions (including breastfeeding), national origin/ancestry, religion, military/veteran status, genetic information, citizenship status, intersectionality or any other characteristic and group protected by applicable law. Karma Automotive, Inc complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure equal access to all qualified individuals with a physical or mental disability. Valid driver’s license may be required based on essential duties.