Lead Simulation & Autonomy Systems Architect

Quick Facts

• Role: Lead Simulation & Autonomy Systems Architect for an autonomy program moving a working autonomy stack toward unsupervised operation at customer sites

Description

Lead the simulation strategy and systems architecture for autonomy development and validation, focusing on safe degradation and minimum-risk behavior backed by real working code. Own failure analysis and safety-case contributions (FMEA/fault-tree), design health monitoring and reactive safety layers, and define cross-cutting software/hardware integration and interfaces. Guide a small team of simulation and perception architects while contributing hands-on C++/Python development.

Responsibilities

• Own simulation strategy: scenario coverage, combining real and simulated data, and validating degraded and safety scenarios

• Lead FMEA and fault-tree analysis across perception, planning, control, and hardware; map failures to detection mechanisms and safe responses

• Contribute to the safety case with acceptable fleet event rates and evidence of due diligence

• Design degraded modes and reactive safety: health monitors, run levels, fail-operational vs fail-safe behavior, minimum-risk conditions, fallback paths, and fast braking layers with low false positives

• Define cross-cutting system architecture including software/hardware integration, interfaces, and system-level features

• Lead hands-on code development for degraded-mode architecture and testing on real machines with AI coding agents under guardrails

• Build the simulation workstream roadmap and mentor architects and engineers (startup-style team)

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in autonomous systems (robotaxi, autonomous trucking, mining, agriculture, or construction)

• Hands-on ownership of behavior, planning, or control software in a deployed autonomy stack, including minimum-risk maneuvers, fallback trajectories, and degraded modes

• Simulation integration experience for autonomy development/validation, including scenarios, sensor models, and data contracts (NVIDIA Isaac Sim, CARLA or equivalent)

• System safety practice: FMEA, hazard analysis, and close work with functional safety teams (ISO 26262, ISO 21448 SOTIF or similar)

• Heavy-machine dynamics knowledge (braking/traction limits under load, on slopes, and in rough terrain)

• Real-time systems architecture and hardware/software integration for embedded compute

• Hands-on coding in C++ and Python; comfortable working with AI coding agents

Benefits

• Competitive salary

• Flexible schedule

• Medical insurance and sports benefits package

• Professional development opportunities

• Opportunity to work on bleeding-edge projects

• Work with a highly motivated and dedicated team

• Well-equipped office

• Corporate social events