Senior Digital Key Engineer

Dorleco; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Dorleco is seeking a Senior Digital Key Engineer in Palo Alto, CA to lead the design, validation, and debugging of next‑generation vehicle access systems. You will ensure seamless interoperability between smartphones and vehicle architectures while aligning with CCC standards.

Responsibilities include end‑to‑end CCC key implementation, defect triage across hardware/software/mobile, protocol/timing analysis, interoperability validation across iOS/Android, and performance tuning to meet latency

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Embedded Systems, or related field.
• Deep knowledge of the CCC Digital Key Architecture and NFC/BLE/UWB standards.
• Proficiency with Vector CANoe/CANalyzer, Wireshark, BLE sniffers, and UWB/NFC analyzers.
• Proven timing analysis and debugging of RF constraints and cryptographic latency.
• Solid understanding of CAN, CAN-FD, LIN, and Automotive Ethernet.
• Familiarity with Secure Elements, PKI, and asymmetric cryptography.

Responsibilities

• Lead CCC Digital Key integration within vehicle architecture with security and privacy in mind.
• Drive defect triage across hardware, embedded software, and mobile apps.
• Analyze timing and protocol across BLE, NFC, and UWB sequences.
• Validate interoperability across iOS/Android devices and environments.
• Collaborate with Tier-1s, cybersecurity teams to address bottlenecks and vulnerabilities.

Skills

CCC Digital Key Architecture

RF timing analysis

CAN

CAN-FD

LIN

Automotive Ethernet

PKI

Asymmetric cryptography

iOS/Android interoperability

Mobile wallet integrations

Python

CAPL

Secure Elements

Education

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

Tools

Vector CANoe/CANalyzer

Wireshark

BLE sniffers

UWB protocol analyzers

NFC protocol analyzers

CAPL

Python

CAN

CAN-FD

LIN

Automotive Ethernet

Secure Elements (SE)

Job description

Job Description:

Job Title - Senior Digital Key Engineer

Location Palo Alto CA Or Dearborn, MI.

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.