Principal System Architect

Wayve

. Own end-to-end system architecture, interface contracts, assumptions of use and decision records .

Posted 11/3/2026full-timeSunnyvale • California • United StatesLead💰 $347,500 - $457,900 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in system architecture and integration for ADAS and robotics, with a strong focus on safety standards such as ISO 26262. Capable of leading technical discussions and aligning cross-functional teams to achieve cohesive product and system architecture.

Highest-signal resume keywords

System ArchitectureADAS / AD ExperienceISO 26262 KnowledgeTechnical LeadershipEmbedded Systems Integration

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Systems EngineeringIntegration ArchitectureSafety MechanismsSensor Requirements DefinitionVehicle IntegrationAI / ML-Based Driving SystemsReal-Time Operating SystemsEmbedded SoftwareConnectivity SolutionsRedundancy Concepts

Soft Skills

Strong CommunicationTechnical Problem-SolvingCollaboration

Tools & Technologies

Automotive MiddlewareLinuxHiL / ViL BenchesRemote Assistance ToolsTeleoperation Systems

Industry Keywords

Safety-Relevant Embedded SystemsCross-Functional SystemsOperational Design Domain (ODD)Fail-Operational SystemsRobotaxi Applications

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Linux

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own end-to-end system architecture, interface contracts, assumptions of use and decision records
Lead technical discussions with OEMs, Tier 1s and partners, aligning internal architecture owners around a common direction
Define ECU and sensor requirements
Guide system engineers and support integration planning, bring-up, triage and system-level debugging on vehicles and HiL/ViL benches
Translate use cases, ODD and operational constraints into reusable product, system and integration architecture
Define sensor and compute topology, vehicle interfaces, safety mechanisms, redundancy, fallback and minimal-risk manoeuvre assumptions with safety engineering
Define on-board/off-board architecture for connectivity, remote assistance and operation, and fleet operations, including latency, availability and Wayve/OEM/operator ownership
Distinguish core product changes from partner-specific integration so deployment needs strengthen one common architecture

Requirements

What you’ll need

Strong experience in system architecture, systems engineering or solution architecture for ADAS / AD, robotics or complex safety-relevant embedded systems
Broad understanding across system and vehicle-level architecture, sensors, compute and hardware, embedded software, vehicle integration and safety
Experience defining and owning product or integration architecture for complex, cross-functional systems end-to-end
Ability to translate high-level product or deployment goals into concrete architectural requirements and trade-offs
Experience working across multiple technical domains and aligning different engineering stakeholders
Experience leading technical discussions with OEMs, Tier 1s or other external partners
Working knowledge of ISO 26262 and ISO 21448 (SOTIF) and how they shape system architecture
Strong written and verbal communication, including architecture documents that others build from
Hands-on enough to support technical problem-solving, bring-up and integration trade-offs in practice
Experience with L3 eyes-off, L4 or robotaxi systems, including fail-operational and redundancy concepts
Experience with assisted driving (L0–L2+) functions and their system requirements
Experience with AI- or ML-based driving systems and their deployment on embedded platforms
Familiarity with automotive middleware, real-time operating systems, Linux and embedded platform integration
Experience with vehicle connectivity, remote assistance, remote operation / teleoperation, fleet operations, HMI or other robotaxi application-layer integration
Experience bridging internal product architecture and external customer integration

Benefits

Comp & perks

Meaningful equity, sharing in the ownership and long term success of Wayve
Relocation support and visa sponsorship where applicable
Hybrid working, core hours and the chance to work hands on in vehicle workshops and labs
Learning and development budgets with support for training, conferences and growth
Comprehensive benefits including health insurance, dental, enhanced maternity and paternity leave, retirement or pension where applicable, access to therapists, wellbeing partnerships, team socials and more
Salaries benchmarked against the market annually