Middleware System Architect
Applied Intuition
About Applied Intuition
Applied Intuition is the vehicle intelligence company that accelerates the global adoption of safe, AI-driven machines. Founded in 2017, Applied Intuition delivers the toolchain, Vehicle OS, and autonomy stacks to help customers build intelligent vehicles and shorten time to market. Eighteen of the top 20 global automakers and major programs across the Department of Defense trust Applied Intuition's solutions to deliver vehicle intelligence. Applied Intuition services the automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining, and agriculture industries and is headquartered in Mountain View, CA, with offices in Washington, D.C., San Diego, CA, Ft. Walton Beach, FL, Ann Arbor, MI, London, Stuttgart, Munich, Stockholm, Seoul, and Tokyo. Learn more at appliedintuition.com.
We are an in-office company, and our expectation is that 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. (Note: For EpiSci job openings, fully remote work will be considered by exception.)
Meet our system engineers!
Our system engineers provide definition and structure to the challenging nature of developing safe, reliable autonomous systems. They are involved in every step of the development process, from conceptualization to deployment. Hear from some of our system engineers to learn what brought them to Applied Intuition and what’s kept them here.
About the role
We are looking for a seasoned Middleware Architect with deep expertise in designing and implementing middleware for POSIX-based embedded systems. In this role, you will lead the development of a unified middleware layer that supports both ADAS and Infotainment domains, helping us avoid siloed architectures and maximize reuse across vehicle functions. Your work will directly impact the performance, scalability, and maintainability of our next-generation Vehicle OS.
At Applied Intuition, you will:
- Architect a high-performance, modular middleware platform for POSIX systems with a focus on maximizing reuse across ADAS and Infotainment domains
- Define interfaces, IPC mechanisms, OS abstractions, and platform services that enable distributed, real-time automotive applications
- Work closely with system architects, software leads, and hardware teams to ensure tight integration across the software stack
- Collaborate with safety, security, and vehicle integration teams to ensure compliance with industry standards and certifications
- Provide technical leadership in evaluating open-source middleware, commercial solutions (e.g., DDS, SOME/IP), and developing in-house components where needed
- Drive design reviews, technical documentation, and middleware performance benchmarking
- Stay up-to-date with evolving trends in automotive middleware, POSIX standards, and SDV platforms, and translate them into actionable strategies
We're looking for someone who has:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or a related field
- 10+ years of experience in embedded software development, with a focus on POSIX based operating systems (e.g., QNX, Linux, VxWorks)
- Strong experience designing scalable, modular middleware frameworks for real-time or safety-critical systems
- Deep knowledge of IPC mechanisms (e.g., DDS, SOME/IP, gRPC), OS abstraction layers, and service-based architectures
- Track record of building middleware for cross-domain applications (e.g., Infotainment, ADAS, Connectivity)
- Familiarity with multi-core scheduling, process isolation, and resource management on automotive grade SoCs
- Experience bringing up software on hardware prototypes and conducting system level debugging and profiling
Nice to have:
- Hands-on experience with Adaptive AUTOSAR or equivalent middleware stacks
- Exposure to Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) using tools like Cameo or PREEvision
- Understanding of ISO 26262, ASIL requirements, and ISO 21434 cybersecurity best practices
- Prior experience working with OEMs or Tier 1 SW suppliers
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.
Please reference the job posting’s subtitle for where this position will be located. For pay transparency purposes, the base salary range for this full-time position in the location listed is: $172,000 - $264,000 USD annually.
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 federal contractor or subcontractor. Consequently, the parties agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and that these laws are incorporated herein by reference. These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. These regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. The parties also agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of Executive Order 13496 (29 CFR Part 471, Appendix A to Subpart A), relating to the notice of employee rights under federal labor laws.