Vehicle Network and Diagnostics Engineer

Slate; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 109,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Vacation

401k

Equity program

Incentive program

Job summary

Slate seeks a Vehicle Network and Diagnostics Engineer to join the vehicle software team in Troy, MI. You will develop serial communication protocols (CAN/UDS), CAN databases, and AUTOSAR interfaces for ECU services, while coordinating with 3rd party stacks and vendors for prototype to production readiness.

You will also implement UDS services, manage fault code strategies, and ensure traceability and cybersecurity considerations across ECU configurations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or a related field. Master’s degree is preferred.
• 5+ years of experience working with vehicle network architectures, ECU communication strategies, and diagnostics integration, with hands‑on experience in automotive communication and diagnostic protocols (CAN, UDS, XCP), associated ISO standards (ISO 14229, ISO 15765, ISO 11898), and End‑to‑End (E2E) communication protection.
• 5+ years of experience developing automotive embedded software for ECU diagnostics, bootloaders, software flashing, FOTA updates, and cybersecurity, including UDS, Secure Boot, Flash Bootloader, and ECU cybersecurity features.
• 3+ years of experience using automotive development, diagnostics, and validation tools, such as Vector tools (CANoe, CANalyzer), Vehicle Spy, ETAS tools, Wireshark, and software end‑of‑line (EOL) test platforms.
• 3+ years of experience developing diagnostic services, device control functions, fault management, calibration, and software update solutions for automotive ECUs.
• 3+ years of experience with DBC authoring, CDD‑based diagnostic content management, and vehicle network configuration and integration.
• 2+ years of experience in systems engineering activities, including requirements management, interface definition, system integration, verification, and validation, using tools such as DOORS, Polarion, JIRA, Bitbucket, RTC, or similar platforms.
• Experience developing software and engineering deliverables in compliance with ISO 26262 Functional Safety Standards and ASPICE.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with cross‑functional teams to achieve common goals.
• Highly adaptable and proactive, excelling in fast‑paced start‑up and new model launch environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Develop vehicle communications requirements and manage the development, sourcing, and engineering of these solutions.
• Create and maintain CAN vehicle communication database (.DBC) files and diagnostic content (.CDD) files as a core responsibility of the role.
• Design and development of AUTOSAR based vehicle serial communication protocols and configurations, ECU services, and interface layers for application and base-software components
• Responsible for communication requirements, homologation, and traceability.
• Responsible for developing bootloader software interface, component and sub-component requirements, and interface to cybersecurity module based on the needs of vehicle architecture.
• Work with 3rd party communication stack providers and vendors in analyzing and creating vehicle serial communication protocol software requirements such as UDS, CAN / CAN-FD, Ethernet, SPI and/or LIN during prototype phase and standardization for production intent ECUs.
• Define and maintain fault code management strategy.
• Implement UDS diagnostic services for all CAN based modules and validate against development and service tools.
• Develop and maintain vehicle communication software interface specifications and requirements (CAN database or vehicle communication matrix) to interact with external ECUs, manufacturing, EOL, and test bench tools.
• Responsible for handling the large ECU extract and serial communication database files (.DBC and .LDF).

Skills

Vehicle networks

Diagnostics

Embedded software

AUTOSAR

ECU communication

ISO26262

ASPICE

C/C++

Python

Cross-functional

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's in EE/CE/CS

Master's preferred

Tools

CANoe

CANalyzer

Vehicle Spy

ETAS tools

Wireshark

DOORS

Polarion

JIRA

Job description

About Slate

At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love—and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them.

Who We Are Looking For

Slate’s Electrical Engineering group is seeking a passionate and dynamic Vehicle Network and Diagnostics Engineer to join our growing team. The Vehicle Network and Diagnostics Engineer will work within the vehicle software team, developing serial communication and diagnostics solutions. This position will be responsible for working with teams across the organization to ensure the software communication plans for the company have a high quality execution.

What You Get To Do

• Develop vehicle communications requirements and manage the development, sourcing, and engineering of these solutions.
• Create and maintain CAN vehicle communication database (.DBC) files and diagnostic content (.CDD) files as a core responsibility of the role.
• Design and development of AUTOSAR based vehicle serial communication protocols and configurations, ECU services, and interface layers for application and base-software components
• Responsible for communication requirements, homologation, and traceability.
• Responsible for developing bootloader software interface, component and sub-component requirements, and interface to cybersecurity module based on the needs of vehicle architecture.
• Work with 3rd party communication stack providers and vendors in analyzing and creating vehicle serial communication protocol software requirements such as UDS, CAN / CAN-FD, Ethernet, SPI and/or LIN during prototype phase and standardization for production intent ECUs.
• Define and maintain fault code management strategy.
• Implement UDS diagnostic services for all CAN based modules and validate against development and service tools.
• Develop and maintain vehicle communication software interface specifications and requirements (CAN database or vehicle communication matrix) to interact with external ECUs, manufacturing, EOL, and test bench tools.
• Responsible for handling the large ECU extract and serial communication database files (.DBC and .LDF).

Required Qualifications

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or a related field. Master’s degree is preferred.
• 5+ years of experience working with vehicle network architectures, ECU communication strategies, and diagnostics integration, with hands‑on experience in automotive communication and diagnostic protocols (CAN, UDS, XCP), associated ISO standards (ISO 14229, ISO 15765, ISO 11898), and End‑to‑End (E2E) communication protection.
• 5+ years of experience developing automotive embedded software for ECU diagnostics, bootloaders, software flashing, FOTA updates, and cybersecurity, including UDS, Secure Boot, Flash Bootloader, and ECU cybersecurity features.
• 3+ years of experience using automotive development, diagnostics, and validation tools, such as Vector tools (CANoe, CANalyzer), Vehicle Spy, ETAS tools, Wireshark, and software end‑of‑line (EOL) test platforms.
• 3+ years of experience developing diagnostic services, device control functions, fault management, calibration, and software update solutions for automotive ECUs.
• 3+ years of experience with DBC authoring, CDD‑based diagnostic content management, and vehicle network configuration and integration.
• 2+ years of experience in systems engineering activities, including requirements management, interface definition, system integration, verification, and validation, using tools such as DOORS, Polarion, JIRA, Bitbucket, RTC, or similar platforms.
• Experience developing software and engineering deliverables in compliance with ISO 26262 Functional Safety Standards and ASPICE.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with cross‑functional teams to achieve common goals.
• Highly adaptable and proactive, excelling in fast‑paced start‑up and new model launch environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of automotive cybersecurity and functional safety considerations impacting connected vehicle systems (ISO / SAE 21434, ISO 24089, ISO 26262).
• Experience with multi‑core, pre‑emptive RTOS and base software development in AUTOSAR environment and its configurations.
• Experience in automotive vehicle serial communication software development using C/C++ programming or Python scripting. – PREF
• Expertise in CAN Network Management (NM) and vehicle power moding, ensuring robust ECU wake‑up / sleep coordination, network communication reliability, and optimized power consumption across vehicle platforms.

Physical Requirements

• Must have the ability to travel (up to 20%).
• Must have the ability to lift up to 35 pounds.
• Must have the ability to stand, walk, and perform repetitive tasks for extended periods.

SALARY RANGE

The compensation for this position is the range Slate reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position taking into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including job‑related knowledge; skillset; experience, education and training; certifications; work location; and other relevant business and organizational factors.

Annual Base Pay Range: $108,877 to $163,316 USD

Additional Compensation And Benefits

Slate offers a wide range of competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, vacation, and 401k. The successful candidate may also be eligible to participate in the equity program and/or a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing such programs.

WORK AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENT

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time.

WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE?

At Slate, we’re fueled by grit, determination, and attention to detail. The start‑up spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness move our business forward. Team Slate fosters a culture of excellence, innovation, and mutual respect, and is motivated by shared principles.

• Safety First
• Delight Customers
• One Team
• Relentless Improvement
• Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy
• Respectful Collaboration
• Positive Legacy

WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT REFLECT THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE.

Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason.

Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail].