Principal Engineer, Embedded, Sensors, and Safety Software

The Company

Outrider, the pioneer in autonomous yard operations for logistics hubs, helps large enterprises improve safety and increase efficiency. The only company exclusively focused on automating all aspects of yard operations, Outrider eliminates manual tasks that are hazardous and repetitive. Outrider’s mission is to drive the rapid adoption of sustainable freight transportation by deploying zero-emission systems. Outrider is a private company backed by NEA, 8VC, Koch Disruptive Technologies, and other top-tier investors. For more information, visit www.outrider.ai.

The Role

The Principal Engineer, Embedded, Sensors, and Safety Software will create reliable, safety-critical software that senses, monitors, and controls the vehicle. This role requires exceptional software engineering skills, full development lifecycle knowledge, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in unstructured environments.

Successful candidates have a demonstrated technical track record in designing and implementing robust Software Test Infrastructure for complex hardware-based systems, bringing an exceptional system-level perspective and proficiency in software.

This role is mission-critical for helping deliver and scale a safety-critical system for industrial automation. The opportunity offers a technical, hands-on team member the chance to help develop a market-defining enterprise product that combines autonomous vehicle technology with a software-as-a-service (SaaS) business model.

The ideal candidate will embrace our goal to drive zero-emission, self-driving vehicle adoption, and help us realize our potential to define, build, and lead a new category of robotic automation for the enterprise.

Duties & Key Objectives

• Build the Software and System Test Infrastructure
• Develop high-quality, scalable software
• Deliver experiments to validate hypotheses, evaluate system performance and design changes, and support engineering decisions
• Provide technical leadership and mentor team on software and system safety
• Demonstrated bias for action, strong leadership and a continuous improvement mindset
• Contribute to Outrider's growth and a culture of responsible zero-emission autonomous vehicle deployment
• Outrider may require additional or different tasks as needed

Required Qualifications

• Experience developing software test infrastructure for safety-critical systems
• Exceptional system-level perspective, proficient in software, with practical familiarity in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
• Proficiency in Python
• Experience developing application software in C and Modern C++ for embedded systems
• Experience with test lab equipment (e.g. oscilloscope, data acquisition unit, signal generator…)
• Experience with CAN and networking (UDP, TCP, DHCP, DNS, Wireshark…)
• Professional experience using perception sensors (e.g RADARs, LIDARs, cameras…), GPS, encoders and other safety significant hardware (e.g. safety interlock systems)
• Experience with REST APIs
• Familiarity with development containers
• Experience with Git and CI/CD pipelines
• Experience with AI coding tools and willingness to adopt AI-assisted development workflows
• Background developing software in a Linux environment
• Proficiency across the full software development lifecycle
• Exceptional analytical skills
• Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field

Ideal Qualifications

• Experience scaling a fleet of autonomous vehicles or mobile robots
• Experience working with ROS or ROS2
• Experience using IBM ELM/DOORS (inc. external integrations)
• Familiarity with functional safety specifications, including ISO 26262 and IEC 61508
• Master’s degree in computer engineering or computer science

Comp & Benefits

• Salary range of $165,000 - $190,000.
• Equity: equity package commensurate on experience and skills
• Relocation assistance
• Health Insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Parental Leave
• 401(K) Retirement
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Short-Term Disability
• Long–Term Disability
• Life insurance
• Pet insurance
• Mental health benefits
• Professional Development Benefits

Please note: At this time, we are only hiring candidates who are currently authorized to work in the United States and reside within the U.S. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship or support international employment arrangements for this role.