Vehicle Systems Software Lead

About Forterra

Forterra is a leading provider of autonomous systems for ground-based movement in the working world. Amongst some of the earliest innovators in the field of driverless technology, Forterra is focused on building systems that protect front-line soldiers and enable civilian workers in our industrial base. Forterra is the go-to provider of ground autonomy solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense, which harnesses the technology for asymmetric warfare in critical conditions.

About the role

We are seeking a Lead Software Engineer to spearhead the development of embedded software for our vehicle systems, including Drive-by-Wire and critical ECU-based vehicle control systems. This role is perfect for a hands-on technical leader who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and has a proven track record in safety-critical embedded systems for automotive, aerospace, or autonomous vehicles.

What you'll do

• Own the architecture, design, and execution of embedded software systems for vehicle control (Drive-by-Wire, steering, braking, propulsion)
• Lead and mentor a team of engineers developing control software for ECUs across multiple vehicle platforms.
• Establish and scale best practices in embedded systems development, including safety-critical standards (MIL STD 882, ISO 26262, ASPICE, DO-178)
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional stakeholders across hardware, systems, and vehicle integration teams
• Drive quality initiatives including test automation, simulation, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and continuous integration
• Set long-term technical direction and contribute to strategic planning and resource allocation
• Act as a technical point of contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding software features, safety architecture, and system integration
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, transparency, and continuous improvement

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in software engineering, a related field, or equivalent industrial experience
• 7+ years of experience in embedded software development, with a strong focus on automotive, aerospace, or robotics systems
• Demonstrated leadership in both people and technical domains — you’ve built and scaled engineering teams and led high-stakes projects from concept to production
• Expertise in low-level software development (C/C++), embedded operating systems (RTOS), drivers, microcontrollers, and hardware abstraction layers
• Deep experience in vehicle control systems, safety-critical software, and sensor integration (e.g. encoders, pressure and temperature transducers)
• Familiarity with communication protocols such as CAN, LIN, Ethernet
• Working knowledge of software lifecycle models: Agile, Scrum, V-Model, ASPICE, DO-178, or ISO 26262
• Experience working across geographically distributed teams and managing external partners or contractors
• Passion for building great products and even better teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with autonomous vehicles or ADAS systems
• Certified Scrum Master or experience in Agile transformation leadership
• Background in cloud-connected vehicle systems or IoT platforms

US Salary Range
 
 $180,000-$250,000 USD
 

The salary range for this role is an estimate and is based on a wide variety of compensation factors. The salary offered to candidates will vary based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) relevant work experience, education, specialized training, critical expertise, training, and more. Equity in Forterra is included in most of our full-time, high-demand roles and is therefore considered part of Forterra’s overall compensation package. In addition to base salary and equity, Forterra offers competitive benefits for full-time employees including:

• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.  
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance, Legal & ID protection plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption. 
• A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires. 
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Your recruiter will be able to share more information about our salary and benefits offering during the hiring process.  

CLEARANCE ELIGIBILITY - This position may require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. For more information about U.S. Security Clearances: click here.   

Forterra is an equal-opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in all personnel practices. Forterrans are unique, talented individuals who are united through a shared passion to deliver autonomous systems that enable national resilience and a robust supply chain.  

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran and disability status, and criminal history, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Forterra is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.

To see Forterra’s candidate data privacy policy, please visit Forterra Legal | Job Applicant Privacy Notice. 

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