Senior Digital Key Engineer

Veridian Tech; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Veridian Tech in Palo Alto is seeking a Senior Digital Key Engineer to lead the implementation, validation, and debugging of next-generation vehicle access systems. You will ensure secure interoperability between smartphones and vehicle architectures as the core technical expert for root-cause analysis across CCC standards.

The role requires cross-functional collaboration with suppliers and software teams to address vulnerabilities and optimize latency for wake-up and hands-free entry.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Embedded Systems, or related discipline.
• Deep knowledge of CCC Digital Key Architecture and NFC/BLE/UWB standards.
• Experience with network/hardware analysis tools (Vector CANoe/CANalyzer, Wireshark, BLE sniffers, UWB/NFC analyzers).
• Strong timing analysis, cryptographic handshake latency, and RF debugging skills.
• Solid understanding of automotive networks CAN, CAN-FD, LIN, Automotive Ethernet.

Responsibilities

• End-to-End Implementation: Oversee CCC Digital Key integration within vehicle architecture and ensure security/privacy compliance.
• Defect Triage & Root Cause Analysis: Identify, isolate, and track defects across hardware, embedded software, and mobile apps.
• Protocol & Timing Analysis: Analyze BLE to UWB timing sequences using appropriate analysis tools.
• Interoperability Validation: Test across various mobile platforms and environments for performance variance.
• Performance Tuning: Optimize physical-layer workflows to meet latency thresholds for wake-up and entry.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with Tier-1s, internal teams, and cybersecurity experts to resolve bottlenecks.

Skills

CCC Digital Key Architecture

RF timing analysis

Security fundamentals

Automotive networking

Protocol debugging

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Embedded Systems, or related technical discipline

Tools

Vector CANoe/CANalyzer

Wireshark

BLE sniffers

UWB protocol analyzers

NFC protocol analyzers

Job description

Job Description: Senior Digital Key Engineer

Location Palo Alto CA

Position Overview

Need highly skilled and analytical Digital Key Engineer to lead the implementation, validation, and debugging of next-generation vehicle access systems. Person will be responsible for ensuring seamless, secure interoperability between smartphone devices and vehicle architectures and will serve as the core technical expert for root-cause analysis, defect triage, and physical/protocol-layer timing analysis across NFC, BLE, and UWB channels, closely aligning with Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) standards.

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-End Implementation: Oversee the integration of CCC Digital Key specifications within the vehicle architecture, ensuring strict compliance with security and privacy requirements.
• Defect Triage & Root Cause Analysis: Act as the primary technical point for identifying, isolating, and tracking system defects across hardware, embedded software, and mobile application layers.
• Protocol & Timing Analysis: Analyze time-critical messaging sequences (ranging from BLE discovery to UWB distance bounding) using logic analyzers, protocol sniffers, and oscilloscope captures.
• Interoperability Validation: Test and debug communication performance variations across diverse mobile hardware platforms, operating systems (iOS/Android), and environmental conditions.
• Performance Tuning: Optimize physical-layer connection workflows to meet strict latency thresholds for vehicle wake-up, welcome lighting, and hands-free passive entry.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Tier-1 suppliers, internal software teams, and cybersecurity experts to address vulnerabilities and architectural bottlenecks.

Technical Requirements & Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Embedded Systems, or a related technical discipline.
• Connectivity Standards: Deep technical knowledge of the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) Digital Key Architecture, including global standards for NFC, BLE, and UWB wireless technologies.
• Analysis Tools: Proven proficiency with network and hardware analysis tools such as Vector CANoe/CANalyzer, Wireshark, BLE sniffers, and UWB/NFC protocol analyzers.
• Timing & Debugging: Demonstrated experience troubleshooting RF communication timing constraints, signal propagation bottlenecks, and cryptographic handshake latencies.
• Automotive Networks: Solid understanding of vehicle networking protocols including CAN, CAN-FD, LIN, and Automotive Ethernet.
• Security Fundamentals: Familiarity with Secure Elements (SE), GlobalPlatform standards, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), and asymmetric cryptography.

Preferred Skills

• Experience developing or testing mobile wallet integrations (Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet).
• Hands-on background with automated hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing rigs and script development (Python, CAPL).
• Active participation in CCC plugfests, working groups, or compliance certification programs.