Principal Software Engineer - Vehicle Management System

As a Principal Software Engineer at Anduril Industries, you'll be responsible for designing and implementing trusted Vehicle Management Systems, developing real-time embedded software, and supporting vehicle deployment. You will also lead the design of scalable vehicle sub-systems, focusing on sensor processing, state estimation, and mission systems interfaces, while collaborating in a multi-stakeholder environment.

Candidates for the Principal Software Engineer position at Anduril Industries should have a Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Mechatronics, Computer Science, or a relevant field. Proficiency in C programming and experience with RTOS and communications protocols are also essential. A strong background in systems programming, algorithms, and mentoring junior team members will make you a great fit for this role.

In the Principal Software Engineer role at Anduril Industries, you play a critical part in developing next-generation autonomous vehicles. You will architect and deliver necessary subsystems aiding in vehicle manufacturing, enhancement, and deployment, ensuring that all components are integrated effectively and operate reliably within real-world scenarios.

Anduril Industries provides a competitive salary range along with comprehensive benefits for its employees, including platinum healthcare coverage, generous PTO, paid wellness leave, mental health resources, a professional development stipend, and daily meal provisions. These benefits underscore Anduril's commitment to the well-being and growth of its employees.

A Principal Software Engineer at Anduril Industries can expect a dynamic and collaborative work culture focused on innovation and real-world impact. The company values diversity and inclusion, encourages problem-solving, and provides opportunities for professional development and mentorship within a supportive team environment.

When answering this question, focus on specific projects where you designed or implemented vehicle management systems. Highlight your technical skills, such as your proficiency with C programming, RTOS, and sensor integration, as well as any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

Discuss your approach to rigorous testing, development best practices, and adherence to safety standards such as DO-178 or IEC 61508. Mention how you incorporate feedback mechanisms and simulations to ensure the software’s safety and reliability throughout its lifecycle.

Detail your experience in developing real-time embedded systems, particularly in applications relevant to autonomous vehicles. Be prepared to elaborate on the types of systems you worked on, your role in the projects, and the tools and programming languages you utilized.

Be specific about the technical issue, the context surrounding it, and the steps you took to diagnose and fix it. Emphasize your debugging techniques, analytical skills, and how you collaborated with team members if applicable.

Explain your philosophy on mentorship and collaboration. Share examples of how you have guided junior engineers in previous roles, encouraged a culture of knowledge sharing, and contributed to a positive team dynamic.

Discuss the communication protocols you've used in past projects, such as CAN, SPI, or I2C. Provide examples of how you implemented these protocols in real-time systems and improved communications within the vehicle's frameworks.

Share your strategies for prioritizing tasks, time management, and ensuring quality under pressure. Discuss how you balance urgency and thoroughness in your work.

Elaborate on how you use simulations in your development and testing processes. Discuss the types of simulations you implement and any specific outcomes they help you achieve in terms of performance and reliability.

Share your experiences in different phases of the product lifecycle, emphasizing your contributions from conceptualization to design, implementation, testing, and deployment. Discuss how you collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve overarching goals.

Describe your commitment to continuous learning through reading research papers, attending conferences, participating in online courses, or engaging with professional communities. Highlight specific technologies or trends you're currently excited about.