Senior Software Engineer, Simulation & Test

As a Senior Software Engineer, Simulation & Test at Cruise, you will focus on building automated tools and pipelines that enhance simulation test creation, maintenance, and execution. You'll work on developing frameworks to accelerate machine learning model training and performance evaluation, as well as collaborate with various teams to tackle complex testing problems and improve development speed across the organization.

To qualify for the Senior Software Engineer, Simulation & Test role at Cruise, candidates should possess a BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, or a related field, along with at least 5 years of relevant industry experience. Strong programming skills in Python are essential, along with a proven track record of collaboration and delivering quality results in technical projects.

In the role of Senior Software Engineer, Simulation & Test at Cruise, you will primarily work with Python for developing automation scripts and tools. Additional experience with C++, SQL programming, BigQuery, and GCP will be beneficial as you collaborate across teams and tackle simulation testing challenges, especially in robotics and autonomous driving environments.

The simulation team at Cruise plays a crucial role by constructing virtual environments to test and evaluate our autonomous vehicle software. By simulating billions of miles of driving scenarios, the team accelerates testing and deployment processes, ensuring the safety and comfort of individuals while driving with Cruise vehicles. This simulated testing allows for rapid iteration and effective performance evaluations.

Cruise offers ample career growth opportunities for Senior Software Engineers, Simulation & Test. With exposure to cutting-edge technology and collaborative projects across multiple teams, you'll enhance your skills and knowledge in the autonomous driving sector. Additionally, Cruise promotes a culture of continuous learning and supports employee development, enabling you to advance your career in a revolutionary field.

When answering this question, share specific examples of projects where you implemented automated testing for simulation applications, outlining the tools and frameworks used. Emphasize your role in enhancing testing efficiency and how your contributions helped accelerate the development process.

Highlight your communication skills and your ability to articulate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Discuss examples where effective collaboration led to successful project outcomes, showcasing your adaptability and teamwork skills.

You should articulate your preference for Python, noting its extensive libraries and ease of use for simulation tasks. Mention any additional experiences with languages like C++, emphasizing how they've been beneficial in specific projects.

Explain your systematic approach to debugging complex testing environments. Discuss the methods you utilize to validate test results and how you take corrective actions to ensure simulation accuracy and reliability.

Discuss specific challenges such as scaling tests or managing dependencies within complex simulations. Highlight the strategies and tools you implemented to address these issues, demonstrating your problem-solving skills.

Provide a detailed account of a relevant project, emphasizing your contributions and the impact it had on the model training process. Discuss how you collaborated with other teams and the insights gained from the experience.

Talk about techniques like modular design and automation that facilitate scalability. Provide examples from your past work where these strategies led to improved efficiency or performance metrics.

Share your methods for staying current, such as following key industry publications, participating in forums, or attending conferences. This demonstrates your commitment to continual learning and professional growth.

Explain your view on the importance of documentation for transparency and knowledge transfer in simulation projects. Provide examples of how thorough documentation has aided you and your teams in previous roles.

Convey your aspirations clearly, indicating your desire to advance your skills in simulation technology and contribute significantly to the success of autonomous vehicles. Mention your interest in leadership roles or pioneering new simulation techniques.