Lead Software Engineer – Vehicle Systems & Embedded Controls

About Forterra

Forterra is a leading provider of autonomous systems for ground-based movement in the working world. Amongst some of the earliest innovators in the field of driverless technology, Forterra is focused on building systems that protect front-line soldiers and enable civilian workers in our industrial base. Forterra is the go-to provider of ground autonomy solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense, which harnesses the technology for asymmetric warfare in critical conditions.

About the role

• We are seeking a Lead Software Engineer to spearhead the development of embedded software for our vehicle systems, including Drive-by-Wire and critical ECU-based vehicle control systems. This role is perfect for a hands-on technical leader who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and has a proven track record in safety-critical embedded systems for automotive, aerospace, or autonomous vehicles.

What you'll do

• Own the architecture, design, and execution of embedded software systems for vehicle control (Drive-by-Wire, steering, braking, propulsion).
• Lead and mentor a team of engineers developing control software for ECUs across multiple vehicle platforms.
• Establish and scale best practices in embedded systems development, including safety-critical standards (MIL STD 882, ISO 26262, ASPICE, DO-178).
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional stakeholders across hardware, systems, and vehicle integration teams.
• Drive quality initiatives including test automation, simulation, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and continuous integration.
• Set long-term technical direction and contribute to strategic planning and resource allocation.
• Act as a technical point of contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding software features, safety architecture, and system integration.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, transparency, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in embedded software development, with a strong focus on automotive, aerospace, or robotics systems.
• Demonstrated leadership in both people and technical domains — you’ve built and scaled engineering teams and led high-stakes projects from concept to production.
• Expertise in low-level software development (C/C++), embedded operating systems (RTOS), drivers, microcontrollers, and hardware abstraction layers.
• Deep experience in vehicle control systems, safety-critical software, and sensor integration (e.g. encoders, pressure and temperature transducers).
• Familiarity with communication protocols such as CAN, LIN, Ethernet.
• Working knowledge of software lifecycle models: Agile, Scrum, V-Model, ASPICE, DO-178, or ISO 26262.
• Experience working across geographically distributed teams and managing external partners or contractors.
• Passion for building great products and even better teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with autonomous vehicles or ADAS systems.
• Certified Scrum Master or experience in Agile transformation leadership.
• Background in cloud-connected vehicle systems or IoT platforms.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in software engineering, a related field, or equivalent industrial experience.

US Salary Range
 
 $180,000-$250,000 USD
 

The salary range for this role is an estimate and is based on a wide variety of compensation factors. The salary offered to candidates will vary based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) relevant work experience, education, specialized training, critical expertise, training, and more. Equity in Forterra is included in most of our full-time, high-demand roles and is therefore considered part of Forterra’s overall compensation package. In addition to base salary and equity, Forterra offers competitive benefits for full-time employees including:

• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.  
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance, Legal & ID protection plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase ad