Full-Time
Staff Simulation Software Engineer
Posted on 5/9/2026
Nio
5,001-10,000 employees
Automotive-grade SoC designer for autonomous driving
Compensation Overview
$163.5k - $212.4k/yr
San Jose, CA, USA
In Person
 Software Engineering (2) |
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- 7+ years of hands-on experience building complex, high-performance software systems (embedded systems, virtualization, or large-scale simulation preferred)
- 3+ years of deep expertise in QEMU or similar simulation / emulation / virtualization software development on Linux (KVM experience highly valued)
- Strong architectural background in CPU, GPU, and NPU architectures, modern SoC designs, software stacks, and virtualization technologies (including virtualization extensions and performance optimization techniques)
- Solid mastery of Linux kernel internals, embedded / real-time operating systems (real-time OS), and low-level driver development
- Proven experience with ARM platform bring-up and bare-metal / low-level software development
- BS / MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent
- Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality, production-grade code on aggressive timelines, with excellent technical documentation and communication skills
- Organized mindset and a passion for delivering high-quality software in a collaborative environment
- Own the end-to-end design and delivery of low-level emulation and virtualization software for high-performance, high-throughput ECU simulation across multiple cross-platform vehicle initiatives, ensuring industry-leading reliability, scalability, and efficiency
- Architect and optimize CPU, GPU, NPU simulation / emulation / virtualization technologies continuously pushing the boundaries of functionality, performance, efficiency, and reliability
- Deliver production-grade simulation components that precisely meet product definitions, customer specifications, and vehicle platform requirements, maintaining full traceability to requirements
- Design and implement high-performance Linux guest drivers and libraries for CPU, GPU, NPU, and peripheral components, enabling seamless virtualized hardware access in a virtualized environment
- Partner closely with application and system development, validation, and integration teams to translate real-world automotive constraints into robust, high-quality simulation solutions that accelerate vehicle product SW development, validation, and integration
- Drive high-quality, on-time delivery of software deliverables across multiple vehicle programs while championing best practices in testing strategies, traceability, and continuous improvement
- Deep expertise in QEMU or simulator architecture and development (contributor or maintainer experience is a strong plus)
- Hands-on experience with Linux hypervisors and virtualized driver stacks in environments such as QEMU, KVM, VMware, VirtualBox, or Xen
- Familiarity with Linux hypervisor, middleware, and application frameworks
- Experience in automotive platforms (AUTOSAR, functional safety ISO 26262, or vehicle virtualization frameworks) is a significant advantage
- Exposure to cloud computing, databases, and logging techniques for large-scale simulation/validation pipelines is a plus
GeniTech designs and develops high-performance automotive system-on-chips (SoCs) for autonomous driving. Its flagship Shenji NX9031 uses a 5-nanometer automotive-grade process with over 50 billion transistors to power real-time sensor fusion and decision-making. The company targets OEMs and smart-driving system suppliers with proprietary, high-density compute cores, a high-dynamic-range ISP, and a heterogeneous many-core pool that delivers millisecond-level latency, all built with a full-stack in-house hardware-software approach. GeniTech differentiates itself by combining internal hardware supply to its parent company with external IP licensing and joint ventures, aiming to industrialize automotive semiconductors and monetize through licensing, royalties, and collaborations in automotive and robotics.
Company Size
5,001-10,000
Company Stage
Early VC
Total Funding
$310.3M
Headquarters
Huangpu, China
Founded
2014
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Shenji spin-off with $330M funding converts chip development from cost center to revenue source.
- Onvo and Firefly mass-market brands target 200,000 yuan segment with three planned models.
- ET7 sedan achieves 1,000km real-life range with 150kWh battery backed by 176 patents.
What critics are saying
- BYD captures 40% China EV market share, forcing Nio to slash prices 20-30%.
- US export controls block Shenji's access to 5nm process tools, halting mass production.
- EU 45% tariffs implemented January 2026 slash European deliveries by 80% and revenue.
What makes Nio unique
- Shenji NX9031 chip matches four Nvidia Drive Orin X chips using proprietary 5nm automotive process.
- Battery swapping infrastructure with 1,300+ stations enables three-minute swaps versus hours of charging.
- Aquila Super Sensing system integrates 33 high-performance units including ultralong-range LiDAR and V2X.
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Benefits
Insurance, Health & Wellness
401k
Maternity & Paternity Leave
Work From Home
Reduced or Flexible Hours
Paid Vacation, Sick Days, Holidays, and Bereavement Leave
Employee Assistance Program
Discounted Gym Membership
Professional Development Opportunities
Company News
Chinese electric vehicle maker NIO has announced workforce cuts of 10,600 jobs, including a 40% reduction in research and development staff, whilst increasing manufacturing headcount to support new brand launches. The restructuring comes as the company reports record vehicle deliveries but continues to face financial challenges. NIO shares currently trade around $6.50 on the NYSE, up 84.7% over the past year but down 29.9% over three years. The stock trades approximately 3% below the consensus analyst target of $6.70. The company remains unprofitable with a net income margin of negative 17.8%. The restructuring signals a shift towards near-term cash discipline and production volume growth, though execution risk remains significant given ongoing losses.
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Nio closed down 4.86% at $6.07 on Thursday, erasing early gains following the launch of its flagship ES9 SUV, which the company describes as China's largest fully electric SUV. Trading volume reached 68.5 million shares, approximately 52% above its three-month average. The stock has risen 27% over the past month, reflecting optimism around the launch. Analysts suggest Thursday's decline may represent profit-taking rather than diminished confidence in the new vehicle. Nio reported record deliveries in Q4 2025, with continued sales growth expected in 2026. Investors are awaiting delivery updates and June's Q1 results to assess the sustainability of the company's growth trajectory. The S&P 500 rose 0.62% whilst the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.83%.
Nio, a Chinese electric vehicle maker, has raised questions among investors despite trading below its 2018 IPO price of $6.26 per ADR. The company trades at less than one times next year's sales, with analysts expecting revenue to grow 47% in 2026 and 16% in 2027. Nio delivered 326,028 vehicles in 2025, up from 43,728 in 2020, whilst revenue grew at a 40% compound annual growth rate to 87.5 billion yuan ($12.8 billion). However, net losses widened to 15.6 billion yuan ($2.3 billion), pushing its debt-to-equity ratio from 0.8 in 2020 to 15.5 in 2025. The company turned profitable in Q4 2025 for the first time, driven by its Onvo SUVs and new Firefly vehicles, though analysts don't expect sustained profitability this year.
NIO is launching a major upgrade to its Firefly compact electric vehicle brand and unveiling a new flagship SUV, the ES9. The moves follow the company's first quarterly profit and sharp rise in deliveries. The upgraded Firefly models and ES9 SUV expand NIO's lineup across different price and size segments amid intense EV competition. The launches provide new data points for investors monitoring the company's model mix and customer appeal following recent momentum. NIO shares currently trade at $6.14, roughly 7 per cent below the consensus analyst target of $6.55. The stock has shown strong short-term momentum with a 30-day return of approximately 28.5 per cent. However, shares are flagged as trading about 28 per cent above Simply Wall St's estimated fair value, presenting valuation risk if execution falls short.
BYD and NIO represent sharply diverging fortunes in China's electric vehicle market. BYD faces domestic headwinds, with March vehicle sales down 20.5% year-over-year and Q1 sales falling 30%. The company lost its top position in China to Geely, whilst net profit dropped 19% in 2025. However, BYD is targeting 1.5 million export units in 2026. NIO posted its first-ever quarterly profit in Q4 2025, with March deliveries surging 136% to 35,486 vehicles. Its multi-brand strategy is gaining traction across premium, family and compact segments. BYD trades at a P/E of 28.6 with GuruFocus valuing it as modestly undervalued. NIO trades at just 0.97x sales but carries higher risk, remaining unprofitable on a GAAP basis despite recent momentum.