Manager, Android Applications

We are CARIAD , an automotive software development team with the Volkswagen Group. Our mission is to make the automotive experience safer, more sustainable, more comfortable, more digital, and more fun. To achieve that we are building the leading tech stack for the automotive industry and creating a unified software platform for over 10 million new vehicles per year. We’re looking for talented, digital minds like you to help us create code that moves the world. Together with you, we’ll build outstanding digital experiences and products for all Volkswagen Group brands that will transform mobility. Join us as we shape the future of the car and everyone around it.

Role Summary

This role is responsible for leading the Android Applications team at CARIAD Inc. The team focuses on software development of Android Automotive system applications as well as customer-facing features of our CARIAD in-vehicle infotainment system.

The role involves mentoring team members to enrich our best-in-class multi-brand One.Infotainment System for all Volume, Premium & Sport Brands of the VW Group. The role is responsible for technical quality and delivery of all applications developed by the software team.

Role Responsibilities

People & Budget – (45%)

• Lead the Android Applications team at CARIAD Inc. Ensure a high-performance culture within the team by fostering collaboration, integrity, inclusion, transparency, accountability & compassion.
• Manage and align budgets & staffing demand with CARIAD stakeholders.
• Strategically hire & organize personnel for Android Applications team.
• Mentor team members & facilitate skill development opportunities.

Development activities (45%):

• Lead development of multiple Android Automotive in-vehicle applications leveraging latest versions of Android SDK.
• Architect end-to-end software design of multi-brand OEM apps along with maintaining CI/CD and test automation pipelines.
• Implementation of agile software development process in the team to deliver high-quality products.
• Championing usage of new Android front-end development technologies like Kotlin and Jetpack Compose.
• Technical alignment with suppliers and development partners.
• Manage the relationships with the Google Android Automotive teams and develop strong and effective partnerships within the broader Android Automotive Community.
• Advocate for feature requests and architecture proposals within the broader Android Community.

Additional activities (10%):

• Crafting new software development process improvement initiatives that empower the team to scale its impact.
• Mentoring software engineers on best practices and design patterns.
• Leading new project proposals to stakeholders (domestic and international).
• Creation of technical specifications and documentation.

Years of Experience

• 10+ years of software industry experience, including at least 4 years of focus on development of Android Systems/Applications in Consumer Electronics or Automotive Infotainment.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent) in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related technical field.

Desired Education

• Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related technical field.

Skills:

• Intentional Team Builder : Shapes culture, roles & responsibilities with care & empathy to create engaged, empowered & high-performing interdisciplinary teams.
• Thoughtful Problem Solver & Communicator : Thinks analytically, critically & creatively and communicates with clarity, direction & purpose.
• Attentive Listener : Listens actively while withholding judgment and advice. Clarifies intentions & motivations to anticipate and address potential conflicts & avoid misunderstanding.
• Drives Diversity : Acts from a deep-rooted belief that we build better teams & products when we empower & learn from the broadest spectrum of humanity.
• Leads with Integrity : Speaks-up with compassion & empathy to firmly stand by our values, principles, rules & regulations.
• Thrives in Ambiguity : Approaches challenges with an open and curious mindset and a strong bias towards action. Zooms out to systematically map out the situation and is comfortable making high impact decisions based on limited or conflicting information.
• Creates Clarity & Momentum : Aligns people, processes and systems to create forward momentum. Anticipates and removes impediments. Motivates teams to joint-action to achieve common goals across organizational boundaries & cultural differences.
• Highly Accountable : Assumes personal responsibility for making and keeping realistic agreements. Openly owns mistakes and consequences. Demonstrates strong commitment and consideration for the larger interests of society, the environment, the company and the team.
• Develops Strategy, Partnerships & Business : Strong empathy, influencing and negotiation skills that help create alignment around product vision, budgets, resources, program planning, etc.

Required Skills:

• 8+ years of working experience in developing Android apps in Java and/or Kotlin.
• In-depth knowledge of programming fundamentals: Object-oriented design, multithreading, memory management.
• In-depth knowledge AOSP as a platform and Android Automotive.
• Experience with Android frontend technologies like Jetpack Compose.
• Experience using backend APIs for driving mobile app features.
• Experience maintaining CI/CD pipelines and test automation.
• Experience managing hybrid software teams (combination of engineers working locally and in different time zones).
• Cross-team resource management to align and reach project goals.
• Demonstrated successes in developing strong long-term working relationships across many layers of an international organization and across cultural boundaries.

Desired Skills

• Working experience with the Android Architecture (in particular Linux Kernel, Hardware Abstraction Layer, Treble, etc.).
• Working experience with Google Services for Android (GAS) or Google Mobile Services.
• Experience with agile development practices and tools (e.g., SAFe, Confluence, Jira, etc.).
• Hands-on knowledge of automotive infotainment software development.

Work Flexibility

• Frequent early morning calls, (virtual) meetings & workshops (overlapping with German business hours) to align with stakeholders and development teams in Germany.
• Occasional international and domestic travel to provide on-site support and planning/integration workshops with our internal and external stakeholders.

Compensation

Salary range is dependent on factors such as geographical differentials, credentials or certifications, industry-based experience, qualification and training. In the city of Mountain View, California, the salary range for this position is $149,600 - $228,100.

CARIAD, Inc. provides performance based merits and annual bonus along with a competitive benefits package. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401k with employer match and defined contribution plan, short and long term disability, basic life and AD&D insurance, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment plans, maternity and non-primary caregiver leave, adoption assistance, employee referral program and vacation and paid holidays. We also offer a unique vehicle lease program that covers registration and insurance fees.

CARIAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, color, gender identity/expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws.