---
title: 'Principal Systems Engineer - Compute Platform Integration at Torc Robotics'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/principal-systems-engineer-compute-platform-integration-torc-robotics-ann-arbor-x2hrj9j5j4mp'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-04'
---

# Principal Systems Engineer - Compute Platform Integration at Torc Robotics

- **Company:** Torc Robotics
- **Location:** Ann Arbor, MI
- **Compensation:** $186k–$223k
- **Posted:** 2026-11-02
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-04
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/torcrobotics/jobs/8921960002

## Job description

## About the Company

At Torc, we have always believed that autonomous vehicle technology will transform how we travel, move freight, and do business.

A leader in autonomous driving since 2007, Torc has spent over a decade commercializing our solutions with experienced partners. [Now a part of the Daimler family](https://torc.ai/daimler-testing-automated-trucks-public/), we are focused solely on developing software for automated trucks to transform how the world moves freight.

Join us and catapult your career with the company that helped pioneer autonomous technology, and the first AV software company with the vision to partner directly with a truck manufacturer.

Meet the Team: Within the Technology organization, the Compute Platform division is responsible for the design and provision of a cost-effective, scalable, automotive grade compute platform(s) with the ability to connect easily to the required sensors/devices, while maintaining stable interfaces to the applications.

The Compute Platform organization achieves their goals, through the design, sourcing, development, build and delivery of a highly scalable Autonomous Driving Kit (AD Kit) including an automotive grade compute platform, cutting-edge sensor technologies, operating system(s), middleware, and software.

The integration will materialize first in an OEM-launched AD Kit for a Class 8 truck from DT, followed by a roll-out across OEM’s, by staying on-top of the technology evolution, challenging the status quo and pushing boundaries in the selection, development and integration of scalable hardware and software

What You’ll Do:

We are looking for a seasoned Principal Systems Engineer who can provide deep technical leadership across the full stack of compute and electrical integration - spanning hardware abstraction, middleware, safety/security boundaries, and system validation. This role is critical to ensuring our compute platform scales reliably across vehicle platforms, OEM configurations, and future product evolutions.

You will define and lead technical direction at the system level, ensuring integration robustness and production readiness. This includes architecting system interfaces, setting technical guardrails, owning key milestones, and driving resolution of cross-domain blockers. You will act as the glue between software, hardware, validation, and safety teams—ensuring the AD Kit is production-quality, testable, and maintainable

- Own and drive system-level architecture, electrical/software interface alignment, and cross-domain integration strategy.

- Act as technical authority for complex system-level design decisions involving compute, networking, power, sensors, and software abstraction.

- Lead the definition and implementation of integration maturity milestones and release-readiness criteria.

- Collaborate closely with platform, diagnostics, validation, and functional safety teams to ensure holistic system behavior.

- Influence system decomposition strategies, network architecture decisions, and bring-up validation plans.

- Guide design reviews, debug sessions, and integration planning with internal and OEM-facing teams.

- Identify platform risks early and lead resolution efforts with a focus on root-cause and long-term scalability.

- Participate in product planning and technical roadmapping across the Compute Foundation division.

- Drive the adoption of best practices for configuration management, requirements traceability, and verification strategies.

- Mentor senior and staff engineers across the division, contributing to a high-performance technical culture.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical, Computer, Robotics, or Systems Engineering (PhD a plus).

- 15+ years of experience in systems engineering, software/hardware integration, or platform-level product development.

- Deep expertise in compute platform integration, embedded systems, electrical/software boundary design, and system-level validation.

- Hands-on experience with real-time Linux, virtualization, automotive networking (CAN, Ethernet, TSN), and power distribution.

- Strong working knowledge of system safety (ISO 26262), diagnostics (UDS/DIDs), and OTA infrastructure.

- Experience with tools and processes for integration maturity tracking, root cause analysis, and field issue triage.

- Familiarity with CI/CD, GitHub-based workflows, and release engineering.

- Comfortable navigating ambiguity and aligning technical priorities with long-term product vision.

- Proven ability to work across software, hardware, and vehicle teams in a fast-paced product organization.

- Excellent communication and technical writing skills.

Bonus Points!

- Prior experience delivering scalable autonomy platforms or compute hardware into production vehicles.

- Experience working with global OEMs and managing technical interactions across organizational boundaries.

- Experience with system simulation, HIL/SIL validation, and multi-modal integration strategies.

- Ability to debug platform-level hardware/software issues and drive resolution across domain boundaries.

- Demonstrated track record of leading by influence, fostering technical excellence, and building strong engineering culture.

## Perks of Being a Full-time Torc’r

Torc cares about our team members and we strive to provide benefits and resources to support their health, work/life balance, and future. Our culture is collaborative, energetic, and team focused. Torc offers:

- A competitive compensation package that includes a bonus component and stock options
- 100% paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for full-time employees
- 401K plan with a 6% employer match
- Flexibility in schedule and generous paid vacation (available immediately after start date)
- AD+D and Life Insurance

At Torc, we’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We celebrate the uniqueness of our Torc’rs and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, veteran status, or disabilities. Even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications listed for this opportunity, we encourage you to apply.

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several geographic markets. Pay is based on a number of factors and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Torc's total compensation package will also include our corporate bonus and stock option plan. Dependent on the position offered, sign-on payments, relocation, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits.

Job ID:  103027

Hiring Range for Job Opening US Pay Range $186,200—$223,400 USD

## About Torc Robotics

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Torc Robotics is an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck developing SAE Level 4 autonomous driving software for long-haul, hub-to-hub freight trucks.
- **Entity Type**: Private (subsidiary of Daimler Truck)
- **Headquarters**: Blacksburg, Virginia, USA (additional offices in Fort Worth, TX; Ann Arbor, MI; Montréal, Canada)
- **Founded**: 2005 (as Torc Technologies)
- **Founders**: Group of Virginia Tech alumni (team from the DARPA Urban Challenge)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Autonomous vehicle technology / Trucking & freight logistics
- **Target customers**: B2B – large fleet operators and trucking companies (middle-mile hub-to-hub routes over 250 miles)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: “Drive the future of freight” by commercializing safe, self-driving trucks

## Products & Services
- **Torc Self-Driving Software**: Full-stack autonomy system (perception, planning, control) for SAE Level 4 operation, integrated into the Daimler Truck Freightliner Cascadia platform.
- **Autonomous-Ready Cascadia**: A redundant chassis with fail-safe steering, braking, power net, and secondary communications network built by Daimler Truck.
- **Testing & Validation**: Closed-course and public-road testing in Virginia, Texas, New Mexico, and 20+ U.S. states over the past 14 years.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (private subsidiary of Daimler Truck)
- **Key Metric**: Commercial launch targeted for **2027**; first driverless (no safety driver) journey completed in **2025**. Acquired Algolux (Montréal) in 2023 for computer vision and ML expertise.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Daimler Truck (parent/owner), AAA (safety partnership), Transdev (shuttle partnership), Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, and major fleet operators.
- **Growth Signals**: Expanding into Canada (Montréal office); headcount growing with 54 open positions posted on Greenhouse; Daimler Truck is building production-ready autonomous Cascadia chassis; years of real-world testing.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Deep truck OEM relationship**: As an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck, Torc has direct integration into the leading Class 8 truck platform (Freightliner Cascadia).
- **20-year legacy**: Founded in 2005 from DARPA Urban Challenge roots; one of the first AV software companies to focus exclusively on trucking.
- **Safety-first design**: Redundant steering, braking, and communications, plus a partnership with AAA on safety criteria.
- **Focused product**: Targets only highway middle-mile (250+ miles), avoiding complex city driving – a clear, commercially viable use case.

## Strategic Focus
- **Commercialization**: First market-ready generation of self-driving trucks on sale in **2027**. Currently validating the system on public roads with safety drivers.
- **Scaling operations**: Expanding engineering centers (Montréal, Ann Arbor, Fort Worth) and building a robust data/ML pipeline at petabyte scale.
- **Talent development**: Growing “Emerging Talent” program (co-ops, internships, early career) and partnerships with educational institutions.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Described as collaborative, ego-free, and innovative. “Everyone is empowered to solve challenges.” Open forums and accessible leadership.
- **Remote/Hybrid**: Multiple remote positions available (U.S. and Canada), plus on-site roles in Blacksburg, Ann Arbor, Fort Worth, and Montréal.
- **Benefits (U.S.)**:
  - 100% company-paid employee premiums for medical, dental, vision
  - Generous front-loaded PTO, plus a winter shutdown (Christmas–New Year)
  - Fully paid parental leave (100% salary continuation)
  - 401(k) with company match, LTD/STD, life insurance, pet insurance, legal services
- **Benefits (Canada)**: Extended health/dental/vision, RRSP with DPSP matching, employer-paid life/AD&D, LTD.
- **Engineering culture**: Work on cutting-edge autonomy, perception, ML, and data infrastructure alongside world-class experts.

## Sources
1. [torc.ai/about-us](https://torc.ai/about-us/)
2. [torc.ai/careers](https://torc.ai/careers/)
3. [torc.ai/frequently-asked-questions](https://torc.ai/frequently-asked-questions/)
4. [job-boards.greenhouse.io/torcrobotics](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/torcrobotics)

## Other roles at Torc Robotics

- [Application Integration Engineer 1](https://feeny.ai/job/application-integration-engineer-1-torc-robotics-united-states-cn79314he74n) — United States
- [Functional Safety Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/functional-safety-manager-torc-robotics-ann-arbor-tkwcs8td6tmb) — Ann Arbor, MI / -, United States
- [Behavioral Safety Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/behavioral-safety-manager-torc-robotics-ann-arbor-wxp54a2wcsna) — Ann Arbor, MI / -, United States
- [Senior Systems Engineer – AD-Kit Components](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-systems-engineer-ad-kit-components-torc-robotics-ann-arbor-69atj7qfkz3r) — Ann Arbor, MI
- [Data Annotator I (Fixed Term)](https://feeny.ai/job/data-annotator-i-fixed-term-torc-robotics-canada-tehbvasgtt50) — Canada
- [Annotateur(trice) de données (durée déterminée)](https://feeny.ai/job/annotateur-trice-de-donnees-duree-determinee-torc-robotics-canada-n83kre16qasj) — Canada
- [Driver Trainer/Auditor 2](https://feeny.ai/job/driver-trainer-auditor-2-torc-robotics-fort-worth-nss7mvkapbwk) — Fort Worth, TX
- [Commissioning - Systems Engineer I](https://feeny.ai/job/commissioning-systems-engineer-i-torc-robotics-ann-arbor-nn9syvp12s27) — Ann Arbor, MI
- [Fleet Operations Manager 1](https://feeny.ai/job/fleet-operations-manager-1-torc-robotics-fort-worth-0t1an86atn73) — Fort Worth, TX
- [Engineering Manager - Systems Triage (Metrics & Analysis)](https://feeny.ai/job/engineering-manager-systems-triage-metrics-analysis-torc-robotics-us-ann-arbor-mehxny30ft83) — US Ann Arbor MI Fort Worth TX Blacksburg, VA