Principal Engineer

Who you are

• You are a seasoned systems architect with deep technical roots in embedded software, who still enjoys staying close to the technology
• You’re comfortable diving into system-level details, whether debugging a performance issue, reviewing C++ code, or defining middleware interfaces, while also maintaining the architectural perspective to guide large-scale systems
• You’ve successfully delivered complex, high-performance, or safety-critical software systems into production, and you’re used to operating at the scale and rigor of Big Tech or high-end automotive programs
• 15+ years in software and systems engineering, with strong expertise in embedded systems for robotics, automotive, or similar domains
• Demonstrated hands-on software development experience in C/C++, with familiarity in Python or Rust
• Proven ability to deliver large-scale systems to production, with deep involvement in architecture, design, and code
• Expertise in system performance analysis, optimization, and debugging
• Experience leading through technical influence — shaping teams of 25+ engineers and impacting organizations of 100+ engineers
• Ability to represent the company in external technical discussions with OEMs, chip vendors, and partners
• Automotive or safety-critical software experience
• Familiarity with NVIDIA Drive platforms (Orin, DriveOS, DriveWorks)
• Experience with automotive software frameworks (e.g. AUTOSAR)
• We understand that everyone has a unique set of skills and experiences and that not everyone will meet all of the requirements listed above. If you’re passionate about self-driving cars and think you have what it takes to make a positive impact on the world, we encourage you to apply

What the job involves

• Wayve is building the next generation of autonomous driving technology: intelligent, adaptable, and software-defined
• As Principal Engineer, Embedded Software Architecture, you will be the hands-on technical leader who defines and leads the architecture of our vehicle software platform, powering the AI systems that bring autonomy to life
• You will work with the most advanced embedded compute platforms from NVIDIA, Qualcomm, and other leading partners, defining how our operating systems, middleware, and hardware abstraction layers come together to enable scalable, efficient, and safe vehicle software
• This is a deeply technical role where you’ll stay close to the code, prototype solutions, review critical components, and directly influence system performance and reliability
• You will also shape technical direction across teams and act as a senior representative of Wayve in external technical discussions with OEM and silicon partners
• Design and evolve the embedded software architecture for Wayve’s next-generation autonomy platform
• Develop and guide hands-on prototypes and reference implementations that demonstrate key architectural decisions
• Analyze and optimize system performance, reliability, and scalability across the embedded stack
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal AI, platform, and vehicle systems teams, and with external partners including NVIDIA, Qualcomm, and OEMs
• Drive the adoption of modern development practices, tools, and standards for high-assurance embedded software
• Mentor senior engineers through technical reviews and joint design work — leading through technical depth and influence, not headcount
• Represent Wayve as the principal technical voice in discussions with partners and customers on software and hardware architecture

Benefits

• Private healthcare: Choose our optional health insurance for comprehensive coverage for you and your family.
• Paid time off: Paid vacation plus public holidays and additional leave programs, ensuring you have time to unwind.
• Mental health resources: Through Spill, you can access therapy and mental health support.
• Community and socials: Join clubs or attend team socials to connect over hobbies, sports, or just for fun.
• Competitive compensation: Our compensation package includes cash and equity, making you a true partner in our success.
• Learning and development: Budgets for books, courses, and company-wide training to support your continuous growth.