Director Volkswagen Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

At the Innovation & Engineering Center California (IECC), we represent the Volkswagen Group in applied research and development. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, we create bold new ideas for the Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Bugatti and Porsche brands. We're a team of engineers, designers, scientists, and psychologists looking to develop innovations for future generations of cars, and to transfer technologies from many industries and research institutions into the automotive domain. Our mission is to drive change which means we are not only impacting one of the world's largest car makers, but also the lives of millions of people. Are you ready to join us?  

This position is responsible for the Software Platforms group at the Innovation Center California (ICC).  The purpose of this position is to manage all research and development activities in the area of Connected Mobility Products, Artificial Intelligence based orchestration layer, and Network-based next generation Cloud applications.  The Software Platforms group focuses on all aspects of the information and entertainment experience in and outside of the vehicle, for both the driver and passenger, including device integration, vehicle interface, media management, entertainment, and audio/acoustics, as well as interface and technology concepts for automotive applications.  The position's responsibilities include personnel management, multi-million-dollar development program management, financial planning, internal reporting, network management, support and mentorship of engineering team in engineering related matters, and quality control of automotive grade SW product deliverables.

• Define the technical mission, architecture strategy, and longterm platform vision for the InVehicle Computing & Digital Ecosystem Applications team, spanning Android Automotive OS (AAOS), invehicle compute platforms, SoftwareDefined Vehicle (SDV) architecture, and AIdriven cockpit intelligence.
• Provide technical leadership across the full software stack, including Android Framework, System Services, HAL layers, middleware, connectivity stacks, media/audio frameworks, HMI toolchains, and cloudconnected AI runtimes within an SDValigned architecture.
• Lead and mentor engineering teams in platform bringup, system integration, performance optimization, and development of AIagentic features, multimodal interaction models, and nextgeneration speech technologies.
• Manage multiyear budgets for platform development, AI integration, SDValigned compute evolution, SoC evaluations, cloud services, and prototype programs.
• Deliver executivelevel technical reporting on architecture decisions, platform readiness, SDV integration milestones, AI progress, risks, and strategic recommendations.
• Drive strategic planning for ICC's infotainment and cockpit portfolio, including AAOS evolution, hybrid cloud/edge AI pipelines, intelligent mobile agent technologies, and SDVcentric software and compute roadmaps.

CrossFunctional & Ecosystem Leadership

• Align technical roadmaps with global VW Group Innovation teams across infotainment, connectivity, AI/ML, vehicle architecture, cloud services, and SDV platform strategy, ensuring crossplatform consistency and shared component reuse.
• Build strategic relationships with SoC vendors, Tier1 suppliers, cloud providers, and AI technology partners to influence cockpit compute and SDV platform evolution.
• Maintain partnerships with Silicon Valley companies specializing in AI runtimes, LLMs, speech, multimodal interaction, and automotivegrade SDVcompatible software frameworks.
• Collaborate with academic and research institutions on AIagentic systems, embedded ML, HMI, and invehicle compute architectures aligned with SDV principles.
• Represent Volkswagen Group as a technical leader in the Silicon Valley ecosystem.

People Leadership

• Provide technical and organizational leadership for engineers, contractors, interns, and field service engineers across Android, embedded systems, AI/ML, cloud services, HMI, and SDVrelated software domains.
• Lead recruitment to build a highcaliber engineering organization with expertise in Android internals, system architecture, AI frameworks, embedded compute, and SDValigned automotive software.
• Foster continuous technical growth through mentorship, architecture reviews, and handson engineering guidance.

Research & Development

• Secure internal funding for ICC initiatives aligned with VW Group Innovation's global SDV strategy and longterm cockpit architecture goals.
• Synchronize ICC technical topics with partner departments to ensure integration into global SDVbased vehicle programs and shared software platforms.
• Evaluate emerging consumer electronics, AI frameworks (LLMs, multimodal models), Android advancements, and compute trends to guide SDValigned cockpit architecture.
• Translate Silicon Valley research outputs-AI prototypes, AAOS enhancements, new interaction models-into productionrelevant SDVcompatible technologies.
• Oversee IP creation in AI orchestration layers, multimodal agent systems, AAOS extensions, and SDVoriented invehicle compute innovations.
• Lead R&D and release of North American accessories, ensuring technical integration with SDVbased vehicle systems.
• Oversee software module development, integration, validation, and global releases for multiple VW Group brands, ensuring automotivegrade quality, robustness, and longterm maintainability within SDV architectures.

Years of Required Experience

• 10+ years with 2+ years in a technical leadership role

Education

• CS, EE, M.S. Engineering (or equivalent) REQUIRED
• M.S. Engineering (or equivalent) or PhD PREFERRED

Skills

• Analytical and conceptual thinking - using logic and reason, creative and strategic
• Communication skills - interpersonal, presentation and written
• Managing interdisciplinary teams on individual projects
• Integration - joining people, processes or systems
• Influencing and negotiation skills
• Problem solving
• Resource management.
• Scouting novel technologies for In-Vehicle SW applications like Android Automotive

#LI-CK1

Specialized Skills

REQUIRED:

• Technical Leadership & Software Expertise
• Extensive leadership experience in research, predevelopment, and development of automotive electronics, with a strong focus on Android Automotive OS (AAOS), infotainment software, and invehicle compute platforms.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams, mentor senior engineers, and drive technical excellence across complex software programs.
• Deep expertise in embedded software architecture, realtime operating systems, middleware, HAL layers, system services, and largescale distributed compute systems.
• Demonstrated experience defining software and SDV architecture, system topologies, interfaces, and longterm platform roadmaps.
• Strong background in evaluating compute architectures, AI frameworks, tools, and algorithms for integration into nextgeneration cockpit systems.
• Android Automotive & InVehicle Software
• Handson experience designing, developing, and integrating Android Automotive-based infotainment stacks, including framework customization, system services, media frameworks, connectivity, and HMI toolchains.
• Innovation & Advanced Concepts
• Proven track record in scouting emerging technologies (AI, LLMs, multimodal interaction, advanced graphics, compute platforms) and converting them into functional prototypes and productionready concepts.
• Experience ideating, prototyping, and generating intellectual property in infotainment, multimedia, and invehicle compute domains.
• Program & Ecosystem Leadership
• Longterm experience managing large, complex, multiparty software programs with significant technical and organizational complexity.
• Strong financial and budget management skills for multimilliondollar R&D portfolios.
• Ability to build and maintain strategic relationships with SoC vendors, Tier1 suppliers, cloud providers, and AI technology partners.

DESIRED:

Domain Experience

• 10+ years in automotive research, predevelopment, or development.
• Experience with VW Group infotainment programs or suppliers.
• Knowledge of competitor cockpit and infotainment architectures.

Advanced Technical Skills

• Experience with virtualization, embedded Linux/Android development, advanced graphics pipelines, and modern toolchains.
• Familiarity with SDV development practices, cloudconnected services, navigation, and driverassistance technologies.
• Understanding of UI/UX architectures for mobile and automotive systems.

Additional Skills

• Multilingual communication (English, Spanish, German).
• Experience designing nextgeneration infotainment or cockpit platforms.
• Established partnerships with consumer electronics and Silicon Valley technology companies.

Work Flexibility

• Up to 20% travel - domestic and international

In Silicon Valley (California), the salary range for this role will be $240,000 - $285,000, depending on education and years of relevant experience. Salary is determined by geographical location and adjusted accordingly. 

Other benefits for this position include:

• Eligibility for annual performance bonus

• Healthcare benefits

• 401(k), with company match

• Defined contribution retirement program.

• Tuition reimbursement

• Company lease car program

• Paid time off