Embedded Software Engineer, Vehicle Access

Workplace: On-site, Monday-Thursday. REMOTE on Friday. Location: Palo Alto, CA We are looking for a Senior Software Engineer to take full functional ownership of the vehicle access authentication path and the customer-facing vehicle functions built on top of it. This is the software that every single customer access event passes through - transaction authorization, lock/unlock, start authorization, and remote functions - spanning Digital Key and Key Card credentials. You will help drive this stack from architecture through vehicle bring-up and post-launch support, working with wireless and embedded technologies including Bluetooth, UWB, NFC, and RF connectivity. Responsibilities - Own implementation of one or more components of the vehicle access authentication path, including transaction authorization, lock/unlock, start authorization, and/or remote functions across Digital Key and Key Card. - Architect and develop embedded software for Vehicle Access systems running on ECUs and real-time embedded platforms. - Design, implement, and maintain Digital Key functionality based on Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) standards, alongside Key Card authentication flows. - Develop software supporting vehicle access features utilizing Bluetooth, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), NFC, and RF communication technologies. - Lead collaboration with systems, hardware, validation, cybersecurity, and mobile application teams to deliver end-to-end vehicle access and vehicle function solutions. - Write and enhance embedded software in C, leveraging Python for automation, testing, and validation activities. - Define software architecture, interfaces, and communication frameworks between vehicle systems, key credentials (Digital Key and Key Card), and external devices. - Support vehicle integration, debugging, and bring-up activities on prototype and production vehicles. - Diagnose complex software, connectivity, and RF-related issues across vehicle and mobile ecosystems. - Use AI-assisted development tools (such as VS Code with GitHub Copilot or other approved AI coding assistants) to accelerate coding, code review, debugging, documentation, and test-case generation, while critically validating all AI-suggested code against automotive safety, security, and coding standards (e.g., MISRA). Required Qualifications - Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field. - 8+ years of professional experience developing embedded software. - Strong proficiency in Embedded C programming. - Strong Python scripting and automation experience. - Hands-on experience with complex embedded software projects, such as Vehicle Access systems, Digital Key, or Key Card technologies. - Experience working with complex industry standards, e.g., Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) standards. - Understanding of Bluetooth, UWB, NFC, RF communication, and wireless connectivity architectures. - Experience developing software for automotive ECUs and embedded real-time systems. - Demonstrated ability to own a system end-to-end, from architecture through post-launch support, with minimal supervision. - Practical experience using modern AI-assisted development tools (e.g., VS Code Copilot, Claude Code, or similar) to improve coding efficiency, accelerate debugging, and support test/documentation generation, paired with sound judgment on responsible use of AI-generated output. Preferred Qualifications - Automotive experience implementing CCC Digital Key vehicle access technology, and/or Key Card authentication systems. - Experience developing software for Body Control Modules (BCM) or Vehicle Access ECUs. - Knowledge of cybersecurity concepts related to vehicle access, transaction authorization, and secure authentication. - Familiarity with CAN, Automotive Ethernet, diagnostics, and vehicle communication protocols. - Experience with vehicle integration, validation, and launch activities. - Understanding of embedded Linux and RTOS-based systems. - Familiarity with ISO 26262, ASPICE, MISRA, or automotive software development processes. - Experience establishing or contributing to team guidelines for the safe and efficient use of AI coding assistants in safety-critical or regulated software environments. Salary Range - $150,000 - 170,000 - The actual salary offered is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, the candidate's combination of job-related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience