Application Software Engineer - Embedded Software C++

Before the detail, here's the challenge you'd help us solve.

We build the embodied intelligence that moves real vehicles safely, and the ecosystem a billion machines will run on in the future. Very few people in AI can say this. Every role here, whatever the team, plugs into that.

Here's what this particular role covers.

About our Application Software Team

Our Application Software US team brings Wayve's autonomous driving technology onto customer vehicle platforms, driving localisation and advancing our capabilities for the US market. Working at the intersection of our AI software stack, embedded systems and automotive hardware, the team enables reliable performance across diverse systems-on-chip (SoCs) and operating systems.

We're seeking an exceptional Application Software Engineer to join the team. This is a unique opportunity to play a hands-on role in shaping our AV capabilities in the US from the ground up, collaborating closely with Verification, Release and OEM partners to ensure smooth integration and reliable delivery.

Your day-to-day

• Execute software bring-up on customer hardware platforms, such as NVIDIA DRIVE and Qualcomm Ride, including porting and configuring Linux-based systems, QNX and Adaptive AUTOSAR environments.
• Integrate and validate drivers, middleware and boot-time configurations, working with OEM and Tier 1 teams to resolve hardware-specific integration issues.
• Collaborate with Verification & Release teams to integrate hardware into CI/CD, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and test infrastructure.
• Implement system-level diagnostics, logging and secure boot configuration, and develop automation for setup, flashing, health checks and test execution on target hardware.

What you'll be working on

You'll be responsible for the bring-up and early validation of Wayve's AI software stack on customer hardware platforms. Your work will span embedded operating systems, drivers, middleware and boot-time configurations, ensuring reliable performance across automotive-grade SoCs.

You'll connect hands-on platform integration with automated testing and release infrastructure, helping teams diagnose issues, validate changes and deliver software reliably.

You should apply if

• You have 8+ years of experience in embedded or automotive software development , ideally with hands-on platform bring-up experience, and strong proficiency in C/C++, Bash and Python .
• You bring a deep understanding of Linux-based embedded systems , including Yocto, systemd, bootloaders and device trees.
• You're familiar with QNX and Adaptive AUTOSAR environments and can configure and debug them on target hardware.
• You have experience bringing up automotive-grade SoCs , such as NVIDIA Orin, Qualcomm SA8295/SA8650, Renesas or TI. You're comfortable with hardware debuggers, flashing tools, serial consoles and board support packages (BSPs), and familiar with CAN, Ethernet, PCIe, SPI and I2C.
• You have hands-on experience integrating embedded platforms into CI/CD pipelines and test automation frameworks .

It would also be great if you bring:

• Exposure to automotive verification environments, such as HIL systems, Vector toolchains or custom CI rigs, and familiarity with Docker, Jenkins, Git and artifact management tools such as JFrog Artifactory.
• Experience in a safety-critical domain, including ISO 26262, boot-time determinism and watchdogs, alongside an understanding of secure boot, over-the-air (OTA) updates and system-level cybersecurity.

Not ticking every box? That's totally okay! If you're passionate about autonomy and keen to learn, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every requirement.

More about Wayve:

Wayve is building the leading AI platform for autonomous driving. We are pioneering an end to end AI approach that enables vehicles to learn directly from real world experience, developing the ability to adapt, generalise and improve at scale. Instead of relying on hand coded rules or pre mapped environments, our AI Driver learns to drive by understanding the world around it. The result is technology that navigates complex urban environments with intelligence, precision and natural flow, unlocking meaningful advances in both safety and efficiency. We believe autonomy represents a once in a generation transformation in how people and goods move, comparable to the shift from horses to cars, and from human driven vehicles to intelligent machines.

Our ambition is to make autonomy universal. Wayve's mapless and hardware agnostic AI platform integrates with global OEM partners, enabling continuous software evolution and unlocking advanced levels of automation from L2 plus through to L4 as our core AI model scales. In a race increasingly defined by intelligence and real world learning, Wayve is taking a distinct approach, building a generalisable driving intelligence that can power any vehicle, anywhere. By combining embodied AI with scalable deployment, we are creating technology that can be shaped to each OEM brand and driver experience, accelerating the transition to a safer, more intelligent future of mobility.

How we work - Locations & Flexible Working:

This is a full-time role based in Sunnyvale, CA, or Detroit, MI, with a hybrid working model.

Our main hubs are in London, Sunnyvale, Yokohama, Herzliya, Vancouver and Leonberg. We operate a hybrid working model that combines in-person collaboration in our dedicated office spaces with focused time working remotely. This gives our teams the connection and energy of working together, alongside the flexibility to do their best work in a way that fits their lives.

The Interview Process:

Our process is clear and respectful of your time:

• Initial call / recruiter screen 30 min
• Competency Interviews 1 hour
• Deep-dive technical interviews 3 hours
• Final interview : mission & values alignment 45 min

We'll always explain the format and work around your availability.

What's in it for you (Location dependant):

Salaries benchmarked against the market annually
Meaningful equity, sharing in the ownership and long term success of Wayve
Relocation support and visa sponsorship where applicable
• Hybrid working, core hours and the chance to work hands on in vehicle workshops and labs
Learning and development budgets with support for training, conferences and growth
Comprehensive benefits including health insurance, dental, enhanced maternity and paternity leave, retirement or pension where applicable, access to therapists, wellbeing partnerships, team socials and more

A quick, honest note before you apply.

Wayve is not a mature, fully-structured place with the playbook already written. Much of how we work is still being written, and if you join, you'll help write it. That suits people who want real ownership more than people who need a settled structure from day one.

If that sounds like the kind of problem you want to spend your time on, we'd really like to hear from you.

At Wayve we're committed to creating a diverse, fair and respectful culture that is inclusive of everyone based on their unique skills and perspectives, and regardless of sex, race, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, citizenship, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding) or any other basis as protected by applicable law.

For more information visit Careers at Wayve. To learn more about what drives us, visit Values at Wayve

DISCLAIMER: We will not ask about marriage or pregnancy, care responsibilities or disabilities in any of our job adverts or interviews. However, we do look to capture information about care responsibilities, and disabilities among other diversity information as part of an optional DEI Monitoring form to help us identify areas of improvement in our hiring process and ensure that the process is inclusive and non-discriminatory.