Software Engineer (Entry Level)

About Epitone

Epitone, Inc. develops automotive augmented reality head-up display (AR HUD) technology, including real-time rendering and eye-tracking systems, for automotive OEM customers and Tier-1 suppliers. Our team is based in Carlsbad, California.

Role Summary

As a Software Engineer I, you will join Epitone's software team, which builds the real-time software behind our AR HUD and eye-tracking systems. Working alongside senior engineers, you will develop and debug C/C++ software in a Linux environment across eye-tracker integration, CAN-bus communication, Unity-based rendering, and display and sensor calibration. The role includes regular collaboration with external customers and partners, preparation and support of product demonstrations, and travel of up to approximately 20% to customer and partner sites. It is a strong fit for an engineer who enjoys working close to real hardware and wants broad, hands-on exposure to a full automotive AR system.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, test, and maintain C/C++ software for AR HUD and eye-tracking systems in an Ubuntu Linux development environment.

• Integrate eye-tracking hardware and software, including sensor data acquisition, processing of head and eye position data, and interfacing that data with the rendering pipeline.

• Develop and validate CAN-bus communication, including decoding vehicle signals from DBC definitions, sending and receiving messages, and verifying signal behavior with logging and analysis tools.

• Contribute to Unity-based rendering of AR HUD graphics, including integration of C/C++ native plugins and real-time vehicle and sensor data.

• Support display, optical, and sensor calibration, including running calibration procedures, collecting and analyzing calibration data, and improving calibration tools.

• Investigate and resolve issues that span application, operating system, driver, and hardware layers, using logs, debuggers, and system tools.

• Prepare, configure, and support product demonstrations, test benches, and in-vehicle setups, both in-house and at customer sites.

• Collaborate with external customers and partners (OEM and Tier-1) on technical questions, integration issues, and deliverables, with guidance from senior engineers.

• Use Git for version control and code review, track work in Jira, and document designs, procedures, and findings in Confluence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical field, or expected completion of the degree before the start date.

• Prior professional software experience is not required; internships, research, and substantial academic or personal projects are considered. Candidates with additional experience are also welcome to apply.

• Solid programming skills in C and C++, including object-oriented design, memory management, and debugging.

• Comfort working in Linux, including the command line, shell scripting, and building software with CMake, Make, or similar toolchains.

• Working knowledge of Git-based version control and collaborative development workflows.

• Strong problem-solving skills and a willingness to learn across software, hardware, and system boundaries.

• English communication skills sufficient to explain technical information clearly, in writing and verbally, to colleagues and to external customers and partners.

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical field, or expected completion of the degree before the start date.

• Prior professional software experience is not required; internships, research, and substantial academic or personal projects are considered. Candidates with additional experience are also welcome to apply.

• Solid programming skills in C and C++, including object-oriented design, memory management, and debugging.

• Comfort working in Linux, including the command line, shell scripting, and building software with CMake, Make, or similar toolchains.

• Working knowledge of Git-based version control and collaborative development workflows.

• Strong problem-solving skills and a willingness to learn across software, hardware, and system boundaries.

• English communication skills sufficient to explain technical information clearly, in writing and verbally, to colleagues and to external customers and partners.

• Ability to travel up to approximately 20%, including internationally, and to obtain a valid passport and any required travel authorizations within (60) days of hire. Passport and visa fees required for business travel are reimbursed.

Preferred to have

• Experience with CAN-bus tools and interfaces, such as SocketCAN, can-utils, Vector CANoe/CANalyzer, PCAN, or DBC files.

• Experience with eye tracking, computer vision (for example, OpenCV), or camera and sensor integration.

• Experience with Unity (C#) or graphics programming (OpenGL, Vulkan, or shaders), and familiarity with 3D math.

• Exposure to camera, display, or sensor calibration, or a background in linear algebra and geometry.

• System-level debugging experience using tools such as gdb, Valgrind, strace, or perf, and familiarity with multithreading and inter-process communication.

• Python for scripting, test automation, or data analysis.

• Experience with Jira and Confluence in a team environment.

• Exposure to automotive, embedded, AR/VR, or display systems through coursework, internships, or projects.

Working Condition

• Work is performed primarily in an office and laboratory environment, including work at hardware test benches.

• Some work takes place in and around vehicles, including installing, configuring, and testing equipment in vehicle interiors, which may involve sitting in a vehicle for extended periods and handling and positioning test equipment.

• Travel to customer and partner sites as described above.

• Epitone provides reasonable accommodation to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position, with or without accommodation.