About the role:
We're looking for a Systems Integration Engineer to own the hardware and software decisions that make a vehicle build actually work — from compute and sensor architecture down to harness routing, sensor tuning, and drive-by-wire (DBW) integration. You'll work hands-on across hardware, embedded, and autonomy software to take a vehicle from architecture to a working, demo-ready system.
This is a hands-on systems/hardware engineering role: you'll make and defend real technical tradeoffs (sensor and compute architecture, harness design, DBW tuning approach), and travel onsite — including internationally and for extended stretches — to lead builds and installs in person.
What you'll do:
Technical integration & hardware
- Define hardware architecture for a build (compute, sensors) and drive procurement of long-lead-time components, including supplier onboarding and purchasing-process decisions.
- Coordinate wiring harness design/build and sensor mounting workstreams, resolving cross-team dependencies between mechanical design, harness build, and shipping timelines.
- Specify sensor tuning requirements (e.g., camera ISP parameters, resolution, glass-to-glass latency) in partnership with hardware and perception teams, and track them to closure.
Autonomy & drive-by-wire coordination
- Partner with autonomy and low-level controls teams to scope DBW validation and tuning plans, distinguishing what's needed for teleoperation vs. full autonomy.
- Identify and flag technical risk early (e.g., insufficient DBW tuning lead time ahead of a demo) directly to the engineering team, and drive a resolution.
Field operations & site standup
- Travel onsite — domestically and internationally, including extended stays — to lead vehicle builds, hardware installs, and demo prep in person.
- Scope new operational sites in new regions from an engineering standpoint: assess power/network/IT infrastructure needs and prep hardware for regulatory/compliance site visits.
Cross-functional engineering collaboration
- Work daily across hardware, embedded, and autonomy software teams to resolve integration issues and keep builds moving.
- Communicate fluidly between deep technical detail and higher-level engineering summaries when working with adjacent teams.
What we're looking for
Required
- 2+ years of experience in systems/integration engineering, ideally on automotive, robotics, defense, or autonomy programs.
- Working knowledge of vehicle hardware integration — harnessing, sensor/compute mounting, and hardware architecture — sufficient to make and defend build decisions.
- Comfortable making and owning real engineering tradeoffs under a firm deadline (e.g., tuning approach, sensor spec, hardware architecture).
- Willingness and ability to travel extensively, including internationally and for multi-week stretches.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, able to move fluidly between deep technical detail and higher-level engineering summaries.
Preferred
- Experience with drive-by-wire (DBW) systems and low-level vehicle controls (PID tuning, system identification, slippage/traction compensation).
- Experience specifying or validating camera/sensor requirements (ISP tuning, latency, resolution, frame rate).
- Experience standing up new operational sites or facilities, including vendor sourcing and regulatory/permit coordination.
- BS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
- Experience on defense or government customer programs.
SECURITY REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Must hold or be eligible for a U.S. Secret security clearance
For more information about U.S. security clearances: click here https://www.state.gov/securityclearances.
Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package, which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.
Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.
We are an in-office company, and our expectation is that full-time employees primarily work from their Applied Intuition office 5 days a week. However, we also recognize the importance of flexibility and trust our employees to manage their schedules responsibly. This may include occasional remote work, starting the day with morning meetings from home before heading to the office, or leaving earlier when needed to accommodate family commitments. This in-office expectation does not apply to contractor positions.
Don't meet every single requirement? If you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Applied Intuition is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic.
Applied Intuition is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and requests priority referral of protected veterans.
Applied Intuition is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive application and interview experience to all applicants. Reasonable accommodations are available, requesting an accommodation will not affect your candidacy in any way, and you are not required to disclose the nature of your disability or medical condition in order to make a request.
If you require an accommodation please contact [email protected]. We will work with you!
