Software Engineer - Vehicle Software

Milwaukee Succeeds; Wauwatosa (WI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k program

Onsite fitness centers

Employee stores

Employee discounts

Job summary

Harley-Davidson Motor Company is seeking a Software Engineer - Vehicle Software at the PDC in Wauwatosa, WI. You will contribute to development, integration, and validation of motorcycle software and work with a cross-functional team to deliver best-in-class software for Harley-Davidson customers.

The role emphasizes design and debugging across bare-metal, RTOS, and Linux environments, with a focus on safety, cybersecurity, and vehicle communication protocols.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of hands-on embedded software development experience, automotive exposure or safety-critical context preferred.
• Proficiency in C and/or C++ for embedded systems, and in Linux user-space/kernel development.
• Familiarity with RTOS and/or bare-metal development and real-time design methodologies.
• Familiarity with debugging tools (JTAG/SWD debuggers, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers).
• Understanding of microcontroller peripherals (GPIO, UART/SPI/I2C, timers, ADC/DAC, PWM) and display-related peripherals
• Experience with version control (git) and build systems (Make, CMake)
• Strong problem-solving skills and written/verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, test, and debug firmware and software for automotive-grade microcontrollers/processors in real-time and Linux-based systems.
• Translate product requirements and hardware constraints into robust, maintainable code across bare-metal, RTOS, and Linux environments; optimize for performance, memory, and boot times.
• Work with suppliers to design and develop communication stacks and drivers for automotive serial protocols.
• Support design, development, maintenance, and release of vehicle communication specifications & databases (DBC, CDD, Diagnostics & DTC etc.).
• Support vehicle cybersecurity activities including UN R155 compliance, cybersecurity management system execution, risk assessments, preassessments, post incident investigations, design improvements, etc.
• Participate in code reviews, unit tests, integration tests, and hardware-in-the-loop testing to ensure safety, quality, and reliability in-vehicle.
• Troubleshoot software/hardware/system integration issues; provide timely root-cause analysis and corrective actions; author clear defect reports and corrective action plans.
• Maintain and improve software development processes, documentation, and version control practices; contribute to automotive release notes and documentation for infotainment and instrument cluster platforms.

Skills

Embedded software

C/C++

Linux

RTOS

Debugging tools

Git

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer or electrical engineering

Tools

JTAG/SWD

Make/CMake

Job description

At Harley-Davidson, we are building more than machines. It's our passion and commitment to continue the evolution of this storied brand, and heighten the desirability of the Harley-Davidson experience. To keep building our legend and leading our industry through innovation, evolution, and emotion we need the best and brightest talent. We stand for the timeless pursuit of adventure. Freedom for the soul. Are you ready to join us?

The Harley-Davidson Motor Company Product Development Center (PDC) located in Wauwatosa, WI is home to the mantra - You dream it. We build it. Join our team as a Software Engineer - Vehicle Software.

Job Summary

In this position, you will contribute to the development, integration, and validation of Harley-Davidson motorcycle software. You will work as part of a cross functional software team to deliver best-in-class software for Harley-Davidson customers.

Job Responsibilities

• Design, implement, test, and debug firmware and software for automotive-grade microcontrollers/processors in real-time and Linux-based systems.
• Translate product requirements and hardware constraints into robust, maintainable code across bare-metal, RTOS, and Linux environments; optimize for performance, memory, and boot times.
• Work with suppliers to design and develop communication stacks and drivers for automotive serial protocols.
• Support design, development, maintenance, and release of vehicle communication specifications & databases (DBC, CDD, Diagnostics & DTC etc.).
• Support vehicle cybersecurity activities including UN R155 compliance, cybersecurity management system execution, risk assessments, preassessments, post incident investigations, design improvements, etc.
• Participate in code reviews, unit tests, integration tests, and hardware-in-the-loop testing to ensure safety, quality, and reliability in-vehicle.
• Troubleshoot software/hardware/system integration issues; provide timely root-cause analysis and corrective actions; author clear defect reports and corrective action plans.
• Maintain and improve software development processes, documentation, and version control practices; contribute to automotive release notes and documentation for infotainment and instrument cluster platforms.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's Degree Required

Education Specifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).

Experience Requirements

Required qualifications:

• 2+ years of hands-on embedded software development experience, with automotive exposure or safety-critical context preferred.
• Proficiency in C and/or C++ for embedded systems, and in Linux user-space/kernel development.
• Familiarity with RTOS and/or bare-metal development and real-time design methodologies.
• Familiarity with debugging tools (JTAG/SWD debuggers, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers).
• Understanding of microcontroller/microprocessor peripherals (GPIO, UART/SPI/I2C, timers, ADC/DAC, PWM) and display-related peripherals
• Experience with standard software version control (git) and build systems (Make, CMake)
• Strong problem-solving skills and written/verbal communication.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with automotive infotainment or instrument cluster software stacks; strong understanding of display pipelines, graphics, and multimedia integration is highly desirable.
• Experience with vehicle networking (CAN, Ethernet).
• Working knowledge of vehicle cybersecurity principles, regulations, and best practices
• Experience with wireless communication mediums (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, UWB)
• Experience with embedded graphical frameworks (Qt, Altia)
• Familiarity with bootloaders, memory management, secure firmware practices, and secure boot concepts.
• Experience with software testing, simulation, hardware-in-the-loop workflows, and automated testing in Linux environments.
• Experience with automotive safety processes and standards (e.g., ISO 26262) or automotive-grade validation practices.

The pay range shown represents the national average pay range for this role. Your pay may be more or less than the stated range and is dependent on your geographic location and level of experience.

We offer an inclusive compensation package for all full-time salaried employees including, but not limited to, annual bonus programs, health insurance benefits, a 401k program, onsite fitness centers and employee stores, employee discounts on products and accessories, and more.Learn more about Harley-Davidson here.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.

Direct Reports: Yes
Travel Required: 10 - 25%
Pay Range:$85,000-127,200
Visa Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or visa transfer
Relocation: This position is eligible for domestic relocation assistance (within posted country)