Tech Lead, Vehicle Compute Software at thirdspacemotors.com (Mountain View, CA)
thirdspacemotors.com· Mountain View, CA·
Role details
Job description
At this disruptive EV company, our team is focused on designing, integrating, and manufacturing cutting-edge cars that seamlessly blend electric propulsion with advanced intelligence. We thrive on innovation, collaboration, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the automotive industry.
Description We are seeking a Tech Lead or Lead Software Engineer to lead the design, development, and optimization of our in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) and autonomy systems. This role will be critical in shaping the user experience for our next-generation electric vehicles, integrating ADAS, vehicle connectivity, and intelligent in-car applications. You will work closely with cross-functional teams across ADAS, HMI, and AI to deliver an AI-centric user experience.
This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of electric vehicles in a fast-paced Silicon Valley startup environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and integrate ADAS systems including state-of-the-art perception, planning and control functions on top of automotive operation systems and middleware.
- Develop and integrate IVI systems including navigation, multimedia, connectivity, and voice UI interactions.
- Lead embedded system development to ensure seamless ADAS and infotainment integration with vehicle hardware and software stack.
- Optimize operating systems and middleware, including Linux/QNX/Android Automotive, for ADAS and infotainment applications.
- Implement advanced connectivity solutions (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 5G, V2X) to enhance the smart cockpit experience.
- Integrate AI/LLM-powered applications for voice recognition, personalization, and predictive user assistance.
- Collaborate with ADAS system engineers to bridge infotainment with autonomous driving features and real-time driving and road data.
- Develop and test vehicle networking protocols (CAN, Automotive Ethernet) for reliable ADAS and infotainment performance.
- Optimize digital system security and performance, ensuring low-latency interactions and power efficiency for EV platforms.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Design, or related field.
- 5+ years of experience in ADAS and/or infotainment software development or automotive software engineering.
- Proficiency in C/C++, Python, or Java for embedded and application development.
- Hands-on experience with Android Automotive, QNX, Linux, or RTOS for automotive applications.
- Experience with vehicle networking protocols (CAN, LIN, Automotive Ethernet, SOME/IP).
- Knowledge of human-machine interfaces (HMI) and next-gen UI frameworks (Qt, Flutter, Unreal, etc.).
- Experience with machine learning, deep learning, or LLMs in an automotive setting is a big plus.
- Familiarity with cloud-based infotainment services and OTA software updates.
- Understanding of ADAS systems and their integration with infotainment features.
- Familiarity with agile development process and latest CI/CD tools.
- Strong problem-solving, debugging, and optimization skills for real-time and embedded environments.
Why work at thirdspacemotors.com
- Startup environment in the heart of Silicon Valley – fast-paced, high-ownership culture.
- Cutting-edge tech: Working on next-gen EV + autonomous driving from concept to mass production.
- Cross-functional impact: Engineers will touch hardware, software, integration, and validation across the entire vehicle.
- Remote/hybrid policy: not specified; likely on-site given the hands-on nature (vehicle testing, HW/SW integration).
- Perks: Not disclosed, but typical of early-stage startups: equity, direct impact on product direction, and the opportunity to shape a new automotive brand.