Senior Software Engineer - Embedded Runtime Infrastructure

Latitude AI (lat.ai) develops automated driving technologies, including L3, for Ford vehicles at scale. We’re driven by the opportunity to reimagine what it’s like to drive and make travel safer, less stressful, and more enjoyable for everyone.  

When you join the Latitude team, you’ll work alongside leading experts across machine learning and robotics, cloud platforms, mapping, sensors and compute systems, test operations, systems and safety engineering – all dedicated to making a real, positive impact on the driving experience for millions of people. 

As a Ford Motor Company subsidiary, we operate independently to develop automated driving technology at the speed of a technology startup. Latitude is headquartered in Pittsburgh with engineering centers in Dearborn, Mich., and Palo Alto, Calif.

Meet the team:

We're searching for a Senior Software Engineer to come and join the Foundations and Frameworks Runtime Infrastructure (RI) team at Latitude AI. As a Senior Software Engineer within the RI group, you will be responsible for designing, delivering, and maintaining software systems that run as part of our advanced driver assist system, spanning both the high-level runtime that hosts our autonomy stack and the low-level embedded software that runs on safety-critical microcontroller cores. The team works cross-functionally with several groups including systems engineering, autonomy (localization, perception, planning, controls), the onboard platform team, silicon/hardware bring-up, and project management. You will collaborate with the broader Latitude AI organization including experts in machine learning, robotics, sensor processing, and simulation, supporting their development and time to delivery.

The goal of the RI team is to provide infrastructure support to the rest of the development groups by creating world-class features and tools while also collaborating closely with stakeholders to understand and service their unique needs. The Foundations and Frameworks team develops the core execution and messaging frameworks, as well as the bare-metal and RTOS-based runtimes on safety-critical compute, that underpin the rest of the technology stack and provide the conduit for fast, efficient, and safe synchronization between the core compute systems.

What you’ll do: 

• Design, develop, and test the reliable and high-performance software, from the application-level runtime down to firmware running on safety-critical cores, that all autonomy functions are built on
• Bring up, configure, and harden RTOS-based runtimes on automotive SoCs, including memory protection, isolation, and deterministic boot/scheduling behavior
• Work hands-on with target hardware using JTAG/hardware debuggers, logic analyzers, and on-target tracing to diagnose timing, memory, and concurrency issues
• Develop tools for providing insight into the performance and behavior of the system across both the Linux/POSIX runtime and the embedded cores
• Author and maintain low-level system artifacts such as linker scripts, startup code, and memory maps to ensure optimal and safe placement of code and data across DDR, on-chip SRAM, and cached/non-cached regions
• Work closely with the simulation team to ensure that the runtime system is accurately tested off-vehicle in a virtual environment, including HIL/SIL setups for the embedded components
• Create automated unit and integration tests that verify the software works as expected and meets the requirements, including on-target tests for firmware
• Collaborate with autonomy teams to ensure the runtime infrastructure integrates well with their systems, enabling their success
• Participate in system-wide software and safety architecture development, including freedom-from-interference and isolation strategies between mixed-criticality components

What you'll need to succeed:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics or a related field and 4+ years of relevant experience (or Master's degree and 2+ years of relevant experience, or PhD)
• Proven, hands-on experience developing embedded/firmware software on resource-constrained compute platforms, including bring-up and debugging on real silicon
• Experience working with an RTOS (e.g. SafeRTOS, FreeRTOS, QNX, AUTOSAR OS, VxWorks) on cores such as ARM Cortex-R or Cortex-M
• Working knowledge of low-level system topics such as MPU/MMU configuration, cache coherency, memory firewalling/isolation, interrupt handling, and DMA
• Comfort reading SoC reference manuals and configuring peripherals, memory maps, and linker scripts for safe and performant layouts
• Proficiency with hardware debuggers (e.g. Lauterbach TRACE32, Segger J-Link) and on-target tracing/profiling tools
• At least 3+ years of development experience using C++11 or newer in a systems or embedded programming role
• Experience developing in a Linux or Unix environment
• Ability to design software components and systems and clearly communicate your designs through documents, diagrams, and presentations
• Strong team player able to operate effectively on cross-functional teams to deliver an integrated software product
• Track record of operating effectively on cross-functional product development teams culminating in successful launches

Nice to have: 

• Experience with TI Jacinto (TDA4x) or similar heterogeneous automotive SoCs (NXP S32, Renesas R-Car, NVIDIA Orin safety MCU)
• Experience implementing or integrating against safety mechanisms such as memory firewalls, MPU-enforced isolation, or hypervisor-based partitioning
• Experience with Bazel
• Experience with ROS or another robotics platform
• Experience with software systems using a publish/subscribe model of communication (e.g. ZeroMQ, MQTT, DDS, SOME/IP)
• Experience with POSIX APIs
• Familiarity with ISO 26262 (especially ASIL B/D software development) and/or other software safety standards

What we offer you:

• Competitive compensation packages
• High-quality individual and family medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health savings account with available employer match
• Employer-matched 401(k) retirement plan with immediate vesting
• Employer-paid group term life insurance and the option to elect voluntary life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Paid medical leave
• Unlimited vacation
• 15 paid holidays
• Daily lunches, snacks, and beverages available in all office locations
• Pre-tax spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Monthly wellness stipend
• Adoption/Surrogacy support program
• Backup child and elder care program
• Professional development reimbursement
• Employee assistance program
• Discounted programs that include legal services, identity theft protection, pet insurance, and more
• Company and team bonding outlets: employee resource groups, quarterly team activity stipend, and wellness initiatives

Learn more about Latitude’s team, mission and career opportunities at lat.ai!

The expected base salary range for this full-time position in California is $179,200 - $268,800 USD. Actual starting pay will be based on job-related factors, including exact work location, experience, relevant training and education, and skill level. Latitude employees are also eligible to participate in Latitude’s annual bonus programs, equity compensation, and generous Company benefits program, subject to eligibility requirements.

Candidates for positions with Latitude AI must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is available for this position.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status.

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