Staff Simulation Software Engineer

San Jose, CA • Vor Ort • Lead • vor 2 Tagen
Software Engineer

About NIO

NIO Inc. is a pioneer and a leading company in the global smart electric vehicle market. Founded in November 2014, NIO aspires to shape a sustainable and brighter future with the mission of “Blue Sky Coming”.

NIO envisions itself as a user enterprise where innovative technology meets experience excellence. NIO designs, develops, manufactures and sells smart electric vehicles, driving innovations in next-generation core technologies. NIO distinguishes itself through continuous technological breakthroughs and innovations, exceptional products and services, and a community for shared growth.

NIO provides premium smart electric vehicles under the NIO brand, premium smart electric vehicles for families through the ONVO brand, and small smart high-end electric cars with the FIREFLY brand.


The Role
 
As a Staff Simulation Software Engineer, you will design and deliver the foundational low-level software that makes this possible — working at the intersection of hypervisor technology, hardware architecture, and automotive real-time systems. This is a high-visibility, high-impact role with direct influence on vehicle programs that will shape the future of mobility.
The Role
 
As a Staff Simulation Software Engineer, you will design and deliver the foundational low-level software that makes this possible — working at the intersection of hypervisor technology, hardware architecture, and automotive real-time systems. This is a high-visibility, high-impact role with direct influence on vehicle programs that will shape the future of mobility.

Responsibilities

  • 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.
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    Qualifications

    • 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.

    Preferred Qualifications

    • 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.

    Benefits

    Along with competitive pay, as a full-time NIO employee, you are eligible for the following benefits on the first day you join NIO:

    • Anthem Blue Cross, HSA, and Kaiser HMO medical plans with $0 for Employee Only Coverage.  

    • Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plan.  Both provide options with a $0 paycheck contribution covering you and your eligible dependents.

    • Company Paid HSA (Health Savings Account) Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Anthem Blue Cross medical plan

    • Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

    • 401(k) with Brokerage Link option

    • Company paid Basic Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance

    • Employee Assistance Program

    • Sick and Vacation time

    • 13 Paid Holidays a year

    • Paid Parental Leave for first 8 weeks at full pay (eligible after 90 days of employment with NIO)

    • Paid Disability Leave for first 6 weeks at full pay (eligible after 90 days of employment with NIO)

    • Voluntary benefits including: Voluntary Life and AD&D options for you, your spouse/domestic partner and dependent child(ren), pet insurance

    • Commuter benefits

    • Mobile Cell Phone Credit

    • Free lunch and snacks

    • Onsite gym

    • Employee discounts and perks program

    Compensation

    The US base salary range for this full-time position is $163,500.00 - $212,400.00.
    • Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

    • Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only. It does not include discretionary bonus, equity, or benefits.