At Sonatus, we’re driving the transformation to AI-enabled software-defined vehicles. Traditional automotive software methods can’t keep pace with consumer expectations shaped by the mobile industry—where features evolve rapidly, update seamlessly, and improve continuously. That’s why leading OEMs trust Sonatus to accelerate this shift. Our technology is already in production across more than 8 million vehicles on the road today and rapidly expanding.
Headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, with 250+ employees worldwide, Sonatus combines the agility of a fast-growing company with the scale and impact of an established partner. Backed by strong funding and proven by global deployment, we’re solving some of the most interesting and complex challenges in the industry. Join us and help redefine what’s possible as we shape the future of mobility.
About the Role
Mission-Driven Innovation: At Sonatus, we are redefining the future of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV) through agility and innovation. We operate as Mission-Driven Squads, where each team takes full end-to-end ownership of a specific module to deliver production-ready software with speed and precision.
Full-Stack Networking Ownership: This role is built around in-vehicle network (IVN) engineering—spanning the full technical stack: Physical & Data Link connectivity (Automotive Ethernet, TSN), Hardware Abstraction & Firmware (EHAL, Switch Firmware), Application & Diagnostic Protocols (SOME/IP, DoIP/UDS), and System-level Network Security (Linux Network Stack Hardening & Traffic Control). You'll own the network path from implementation through verification, ensuring reliable, high-performance in-vehicle communication in real production vehicles.
Two Paths to Join: Who We're Looking For
- Experienced Network Engineers: We prioritize candidates with established in-vehicle network expertise who can take immediate ownership of switch firmware, EHAL, and network security, serving as the technical contact for customers and OEM architects.
- Embedded Software Specialists: We also highly welcome strong embedded software engineers with a solid foundation in Ethernet and networking who are eager to specialize. You will be supported by your squad to grow into this deep expertise, contributing to production-level development and verification from day one.
Bridge Between Worlds: In both cases, you will serve as a key technical bridge between development and real-world deployment, resolving critical issues and ensuring high-performance, reliable in-vehicle communication—from implementation all the way to verification.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Squad Mission Contribution
- Work under the guidance of the Squad Lead to execute the full engineering lifecycle—from Implementation to Verification.
- Switch roles flexibly based on the squad's goals (e.g., focusing on feature development in one sprint, and shifting to verification tasks in the next) to ensure the mission is accomplished.
2. In-Vehicle Network Engineering
- Development: Design and develop high-performance C/C++ embedded software; this involves developing the Ethernet Hardware Abstraction Layer (EHAL) and implementing switch and Ethernet driver/control logic for Automotive Ethernet networks.
- Network Design: Define and maintain the in-vehicle network design—topology, VLAN/QoS, and the communication matrix—and bring up new ECUs and switches on the network.
- Configuration & Security: Configure and harden the in-vehicle network for secure, high-performance communication across Automotive Ethernet and connected buses (CAN/CAN-FD).
- Verification: Diagnose network integration issues through packet and protocol analysis, and validate network performance (latency, jitter, bandwidth) against defined requirements.
- Integration Ownership: Serve as the technical owner of in-vehicle network integration, working closely with OEM network architects and customer engineering teams.
3. Quality Ownership
- QA Ownership: Champion a culture of total ownership. You define "Done" not merely by implementation, but by delivering software that is Production-Ready and rigorously validated.
- Maintain CI/CD pipeline: Actively troubleshoot and resolve build/test failures in the CI/CD pipeline as if they were your own code errors.
- Test Automation: Design Python-based test cases and build automation frameworks to verify both your own code and the squad's deliverables.
- Documentation: Treat documentation as code. Create and maintain detailed technical documentation—including APIs, dependencies, and integration guides—so the software is accessible, maintainable, and seamlessly integrated by customers.
- Peer Review: Participate in Code Reviews not just for logic, but with a focus on Testability and Safety, ensuring the code is robust before it merges.
4. AI-Augmented Workflow
- Leverage AI tools such as GitHub Copilot and Claude to maximize productivity.
- Use AI to lower the barrier for cross-functional tasks (e.g., generating test scenarios for complex logic, or debugging unfamiliar code), allowing you to focus on high-value engineering challenges.
5. Customer Support
- On-site Support: Support major test events with partners on-site, utilizing packet analysis and diagnostic tools (e.g., Wireshark, Vector CANoe, traffic generators, and PHY/physical-layer analyzers) to troubleshoot and resolve complex network performance, timing, and connectivity issues across Automotive Ethernet, TSN, and gateway paths (CAN/CAN-FD, LIN) within vehicle or test bench environments.
- Technical Communication: Serve as a primary technical contact for integration issues, providing deep-dive analysis on network configurations, switch/VLAN and firewall setups, service and diagnostic protocol behavior (SOME/IP, DoIP/UDS), and security mechanisms (MACsec, SecOC), and troubleshooting network-related anomalies to provide clear guidance for customer engineering teams.
Qualifications and Experience
[Foundation: Development Skills]
- Experience: 3+ years of experience in embedded software development or engineering.
- Core Language: Proficiency in C/C++ programming (strong understanding of pointers, memory management, and data structures).
- OS Environment: Solid experience in development and debugging within a Linux environment.
- Network interest: Genuine interest in in-vehicle networking, and a working understanding of TCP/IP and Ethernet fundamentals.
[The role, two tracks — we welcome candidates on either path]
Track A — Experienced In-Vehicle Network Engineer
You already bring deep, hands-on networking expertise, such as:
- Automotive Ethernet: Deep expertise in 100/1000BASE-T1 (and 10BASE-T1S for zonal architectures) and in-vehicle network architectures.
- Network Switch Control & EHAL: Hands-on development of the Ethernet Hardware Abstraction Layer (EHAL) and switch driver/control logic, including the Linux DSA switch framework and PHY/MAC bring-up.
- TSN & Time Sync: Time-Sensitive Networking—gPTP/802.1AS time synchronization, Time-Aware Shaper (802.1Qbv), Credit-Based Shaper (802.1Qav), and frame preemption (802.1Qbu).
- Service & Diagnostic Protocols: SOME/IP and SOME/IP-SD (service discovery), and diagnostics over IP—DoIP (ISO 13400) and UDS (ISO 14229).
- Gateway & Legacy Buses: Routing and gateway design between CAN/CAN-FD, LIN, and Automotive Ethernet.
- Network Security & Configuration: Proficiency in the Linux network stack (iptables/netfilter, tc/qdisc, firewalls, VLAN management), plus automotive security mechanisms such as MACsec (802.1AE) and Secure Onboard Communication (SecOC).
- Troubleshooting & Tools: Packet tracing and protocol analysis with Wireshark/tcpdump, Vector CANoe/CANalyzer
Track B — Embedded Engineer Growing into a Network Specialist
You have a strong embedded/firmware foundation and are eager to build the expertise above. We're looking for evidence you can get there fast:
- Solid embedded C/C++ and Linux fundamentals (see Foundation above).
- Some exposure to networking—course work, side projects, or prior tasks involving Ethernet, TCP/IP, sockets, or network drivers.
- A clear motivation to specialize in automotive networking (Automotive Ethernet, TSN, SOME/IP, network security) and a demonstrated ability to learn complex, low-level systems quickly.
[Key Differentiator: QA Capability & Mindset]
- Scripting: Experience using Python for writing test scripts or automating engineering tasks.
- Testing Willingness: A flexible attitude with a strong belief that "Testing is Engineering." You are willing to balance your time between Dev and QA tasks (even up to 50:50) depending on the squad's needs.
- Critical Thinking: Ability to look beyond the "Happy Path" and critically ask, "Is this truly safe for the user?"
Preferred Knowledge and Experience
[Automotive Standards & Quality]
- Standards & Audit: Experience in automotive design reviews and audit processes based on standards such as ISO 26262 (Functional Safety), Automotive SPICE (ASPICE), or ASIL.
- Code Quality Analysis: Experience adhering to MISRA C/C++ coding standards and using static analysis tools such as Coverity, Polyspace, or similar products to manage code quality.
[Collaboration & Tools]
- Collaboration: Experience working in Cross-functional Squads or Agile/Scrum environments.
- Tools: Proficiency with Jira/Confluence and Git-based workflows (Branching, Pull Requests).
- Frameworks: Experience with Unit/Integration test frameworks (e.g., PyTest, GoogleTest).
- Network Protocols: Deep understanding of automotive communication protocols (Ethernet, CAN, SOME/IP).
- Adaptability: Eagerness to learn and adopt new technologies and AI tools to enhance workflow efficiency.
Benefits & Perks
Benefits Offered:
- Competitive compensation and equity program
- Support 4 social insurance plans
- Family leave (Maternity, Paternity)
- Hybrid office work-arrangement/flexibility
Perk Offerings:
- Complimentary lunch/dinner, snacks and beverages during on-site working days
- Wellness benefit allowances (towards gym membership and fitness programs)
- Phone & Internet reimbursement
- Computer Accessory Allowance
- Annual Appreciation Gift
- Annual Health Checkup
- Support English class
Employee Engagement Offerings:
- Departmental team building and outings
- Employee Referral Program
- Culture/Employee Satisfaction Surveys - Feedback matters!
- Innovative Award Program (annual)
Sonatus is a fast-paced and innovative company and is seeking team members who are passionate about making a difference. If you are ready to take your career to the next level, we highly encourage you to apply.
