Role Responsibilities

Middleware Architect and Development Design – (60%)

• Design, develop, and maintain scalable and robust communication middleware for distributed embedded systems.
• Collaborate with systems engineers and application developers to define middleware interfaces and APIs.
• Lead middleware performance profiling, debugging, and tuning.
• Contribute to the development of communication frameworks that support inter-process and inter-device data exchange.
• Guide the integration of middleware into OS-level services (e.g., Linux, real-time operating systems).
• Contribute to the development and product launch of functions and ECUs, overseeing all steps of the process and coordination with product/design/contract manufacturers.
• Contribute to the hardware specification and design of electronic control units for automotive systems.
• Design and optimize communication stacks (e.g., SOME/IP, DDS, MQTT, gRPC, CAN, LIN, Ethernet AVB/TSN).
• Develop and maintain APIs and SDKs for internal and third-party application integration.
• Lead the integration of middleware with AUTOSAR (Classic and Adaptive) platforms.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 26262, ASPICE, and cybersecurity standards (ISO/SAE 21434).
• Implement diagnostics and logging frameworks (UDS, DoIP, DLT).
• Drive performance benchmarking, memory optimization, and latency reduction strategies.
• Collaborate with DevOps teams to enable CI/CD pipelines for embedded software using tools like Jenkins, Yocto, Docker, and BitBake.
• Work with internal customers to understand and specify application requirements and deliverables.,
• Work with component or chipset suppliers to select and support hardware as well as solutions.

Team Coordination, Mentoring and Resource Management (20%)

• Helps to strategically organize personnel around Embedded SW and HW core competencies.
• Coordinate the team and mentor junior engineers
• Provides research, design, and engineering skill development opportunities for group members.
• Manages internal/external project budget and resources for the projects

Operational Management - (20%)

• Be the interface between VWAG Engineering teams and Development partners for Middleware development topics.
• Lead/participate in VWAG Engineering and Development partner meetings, workshops and decision rounds related to middleware topics. Bring escalation topics to VWAG management for timely attention and propose technical solutions.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to internal knowledge-sharing initiatives.
• Represent middleware engineering in cross-domain feature integration (e.g., infotainment, ADAS, telematics, V2X).
• Coordinate with cybersecurity teams to implement secure boot, secure communication, and key management protocols.

Brief Role Description

At the Innovation & Engineering Center California (IECC), we represent the Volkswagen Group in applied research and development. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, we create bold new ideas for the Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Bugatti and Porsche brands. We’re a team of engineers, designers, scientists, and psychologists looking to develop innovations for future generations of cars, and to transfer technologies from many industries and research institutions into the automotive domain. Our mission is to drive change which means we are not only impacting one of the world’s largest car makers, but also the lives of millions of people. Are you ready to join us?

Lead Software Engineer – Middleware

The Software Engineer Lead - Middleware will be part of a core engineering team leading new product developments for VW Group. They will contribute to the design of embedded systems, networking protocols, and middleware platforms enabling efficient data exchange across diverse hardware and software environments. This is a high-impact role that requires technical leadership, strong software architecture skills, and the ability to work cross-functionally with system architects, platform teams, and product engineering.

This role is the primary point of contact and accountability for IT data and middleware integration services and support (life cycle planning of business data integration needs through strategize, architect, design/build/procure, deploy, operate, evolve, support, and retire) for defined products (Data Warehouse, ODS, Business Objects, SAS, Tableau) and platforms (Oracle, SQL Server, Informatica, Biztalk) for both US and Canada. This includes existing on premises services / support and future cloud services / support. Expected to create a well-run team that can sustain credibility with business users while working directly with and adhering to development and support best practices and Data Governance standards and processes. This will require investing time to learn the unique data needs of each area and to proactively advocate how data integration and middleware technology can be best used to further the business goals.

Responsibility includes:

• Leadership and management of development & delivery team personnel, developing their skills and capabilities to meet the needs of the organization, as well as building on existing recruiting capabilities to address new needs and skills gaps.
• Creation and alignment of a data integration platform roadmap to business strategy/outcomes, working closely with the IT Data Sciences and Analytics team to define and determine roles and responsibilities.
• Plan and execute data and middleware services product and platform support in alignment with enterprise priorities in a cost effective, timely manner
• Provide production support (level 2 and level 3) for defined products
• Business unit satisfaction levels for data analytic integration products and services
• Accountable for delivering upon IT Key Performance Indicators

Required Years of Experience & Education

Years of Required Experience

• 5-7 years as a validation lead of Connected Infotainment systems for an Automotive OEM or Tier-1 supplier – proven record of start-to-finish lead role.
• 5-7 years VWAG vehicle integration knowledge including diagnostic toolchain & architecture experience preferred

Education Requirements

Required:

• BS in Engineering or a combination of education and experience

Desired

• MS and/or PhD in Engineering

Work Flexibility:

• Ability to work flexible schedule.  Domestic (U.S.) and International (Canada & Europe/Germany) travel is required (up to 15%)
• Travel is expected regularly to local development teams and partners <20miles from work location

Requirements (Education & Skills)

Skills

Required

• Excellent strategical thinking and communication skills.
• Understanding of core Computer Science algorithms and data structures.
• Familiar with development and deployment on cloud systems such as AWS or Azure.
• Knowledge of complex modern automotive software and architecture
• Knowledge of embedded software design.
• Knowledge of real time operating systems (Linux with realtime extensions)
• Knowledge of Version Management systems such as GITLAB, Github..
• Knowledge of Requirements Management – complex use-case signal handling (collating multiple partner input signals to combine into a singular customer use-case)
• Experience with virtualized test environments and simulation
• Programming expertise with Rust, C++, GO, Python
• Familiar with Synopsis
• Knowledge of backend architectures.
• Deep understanding in defining and designing hardware for embedded connected systems including definition of SW/HW components and its interfaces.
• Experience with data integration platforms such as ETL and application orchestration tools including development, performance management, administration, and vendor support.
• Experience with relational database management systems such as Oracle, SQL Server and Postgres including development, performance management, administration, and vendor support.
• Experience with business intelligence platforms and solutions such as SAS, Tableau and Business Objects including development, performance management, administration, and vendor support.

Technical Skills:

• Deep understanding of IPC/RPC mechanisms, shared memory, and message queues.
• Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) such as QNX, VxWorks, or Zephyr.
• Familiarity with cloud-native technologies (Kubernetes, Helm, Terraform) for edge/cloud integration.
• Experience with simulation and validation tools (CANoe, VectorCAST, Simulink, dSPACE).
• Proficiency in system modeling tools (Enterprise Architect, MagicDraw, SysML/UML).
• Familiarity with AI/ML integration for predictive diagnostics and adaptive middleware behavior.

Tools & Platforms

• Confluence, Jenkins, Docker, Yocto, BitBake.
• AWS IoT Core, Azure IoT Hub, or Google Cloud IoT.
• AUTOSAR Builder, EB tresos, Vector DaVinci.
• Security tools: OpenSSL, TPM, HSM, Secure Boot frameworks.

Desired

• Experience in Infotainment and Driver Assistance Systems.
• Rapid SW environment for prototyping and validation.
• Knowledge of connected vehicle infotainment and communication systems.
• Understanding of ICE vehicle power requirements
• Experience with Paralax
• Basic proficiency in German language
• Deep understanding of typical vehicle EE architectures and automotive development processes.
• Experience with Informatica software solutions : Power Center, Data Quality, Enterprise Data Catalog, Axon and Dynamic Data Masking.
• Experience with Microsoft Biztalk
• Experience or working knowledge with cloud data integration toolsets (AWS - Kinesis, Glue, Firehose) and repositories (S3, Redshift, Athena, etc …)

Work Flexibility:

• Travel is estimated to be 10-15%.
• Travel as needed within U.S. and overseas to support test drives and project specific training.

Compensation Data

Salary is determined by geographical location and adjusted accordingly. In Silicon Valley, the expected base salary range is between $165,000 - $190,000. Other benefits for this position include: