Principal Software Engineer - Android Applications

We are CARIAD, an automotive software development team with the Volkswagen Group. Our mission is to make the automotive experience safer, more sustainable, more comfortable, more digital, and more fun. To achieve that we are building the leading tech stack for the automotive industry and creating a unified software platform for over 10 million new vehicles per year. We’re looking for talented, digital minds like you to help us create code that moves the world. Together with you, we’ll build outstanding digital experiences and products for all Volkswagen Group brands that will transform mobility. Join us as we shape the future of the car and everyone around it.

Role Summary

 This is a Principal Software Engineer position in the Android System Development team. This role is responsible for coordination and implementation of both Android Automotive OS platform applications as well as Customer-facing features of our connected, embedded Infotainment System. 

The role involves mentoring team members to enrich our best-in-class multi-brand One.Infotainment System for all Volume, Premium & Sport Brands of the VW Group. Making software design improvements for performance optimization are an integral part of the daily work.

Role Responsibilities 

 Development activities 

• Lead development of multiple Android Automotive in-vehicle applications leveraging latest versions of Android SDK 
• Architect end-to-end software design of multi-brand OEM apps along with maintaining CI/CD and test automation pipelines 
• Implementation of agile software development process in the team to deliver high-quality products
• Championing usage of new Android front-end development technologies like Kotlin and Jetpack Compose
• Technical alignment with suppliers and development partners
• Manage the relationships with the Google Android Automotive teams and develop strong and effective partnerships within the broader Android Automotive Community
• Advocate for feature requests and architecture proposals within the broader Android Community.
• Organize and manage Infotainment Test Benches, Test Vehicles & other development resources.

 Additional activities 

• Crafting new software development process improvement initiatives that empowers the team to scale its impact
• Mentoring software engineers on best practices and design patterns
• Leading new project proposals to stakeholders (domestic and international)
• Creation of technical specifications and documentation

Years of Experience

• 10+ years of software industry experience, including at least 4 years of focus on development of Android Systems/Applications in Consumer Electronics or Automotive Infotainment.

Required Education

•  Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent) in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related technical field

Desired Education

• Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related technical field 

Skills: 

• Intentional Team Builder: Shapes culture, roles & responsibilities with care & empathy to create engaged, empowered & high-performing interdisciplinary teams.

• Thoughtful Problem Solver & Communicator: Thinks analytically, critically & creatively and communicates with clarity, direction & purpose.
• Attentive Listener: Listens actively while withholding judgment and advice. Clarifies intentions & motivations to anticipate and address potential conflicts & avoid misunderstanding.
• Drives Diversity: Acts from a deep-rooted belief that we build better teams & products when we empower & learn from the broadest spectrum of humanity.
• Leads with Integrity: Speaks-up with compassion & empathy to firmly stand by our values, principles, rules & regulations.
• Thrives in Ambiguity: Approaches challenges with an open and curious mindset and a strong bias towards action. Zooms out to systematically map out the situation and is comfortable making high impact decisions based on limited or conflicting information.
• Creates Clarity & Momentum: Aligns people, processes and systems to create forward momentum. Anticipates and removes impediments. Motivates teams to joint-action to achieve common goals across organizational boundaries & cultural differences.
• Highly Accountable: As