Systems Integration Engineer

Location: Sunnyvale, CA (Hybrid – 3 days onsite)Experience Level: Mid-Level (3–7 years hands-on engineering experience)Compensation: Base salary (up to ~$180k for more senior-level candidates) + 10%-15% bonusWork Authorization: No visa sponsorship available now or in the future (cannot consider H-1B or OPT)About the RoleWe're hiring a Systems Integration Engineer to join a small, highly technical Advanced Technology/Innovation team within a leading tier-1 automotive supplier that develops safety-critical mechatronic systems for high-end OEMs globally.This team is working at the frontier of software-defined vehicle systems - the kind of architecture that will define how EVs and autonomous vehicles behave on the road 5-10 years from now. The work is prototype-driven and hands-on, with a direct line from bench to production vehicle.The specific focus of this role is sensor integration for a next-generation vehicle control platform. Modern intelligent vehicle systems don't just respond to driver input - they continuously read vehicle state and road conditions in real time, using data from cameras, radar, LiDAR, wheel-speed sensors, and other sources to modulate actuator response independently at each corner of the vehicle. The challenge is getting that sensor data properly captured, conditioned, and routed so that the control algorithms can act on it accurately and quickly.Your job is to own that integration layer. You'll work primarily in MATLAB/Simulink, building and validating the signal pathways between new sensor inputs and the vehicle control logic. You'll verify system behavior using a Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) test bench with a full simulated vehicle environment - confirming that when a sensor detects a change in road surface conditions or vehicle dynamics, the actuation response is correct, stable, and safe. This is not an embedded firmware role - the focus is on the system level: sensor characterization, signal integrity, data routing, and closed-loop validation.What You'll DoEvaluate and integrate novel sensors - including cameras, radar, LiDAR, and road-condition sensing technologies - into an intelligent vehicle control architectureModel sensor signal capture, conditioning, and routing in MATLAB/Simulink, ensuring data reaches the control algorithms in the correct format, at the correct rate, and with acceptable latencyBuild and run validation scenarios on a Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) test bench, using a simulated vehicle model to verify closed-loop system behavior under varied road and driving conditionsCharacterize sensor performance across operating conditions - noise, latency, dropout, edge cases - and work with controls engineers to ensure the algorithms handle real-world sensor behavior gracefullyDebug integration issues across the sensor-to-actuator chain: signal path, timing, interface protocols, and control responseCollaborate with controls engineers, hardware engineers, and data scientists to refine system architecture as new sensors are introducedTake end-to-end ownership of integration projects from early prototype through validated, documented releaseProduce clear technical documentation that supports long-term maintainability and handoffRequired QualificationsMaster's degree or higher in Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or a related field or equivalent experience3+ years of professional experience in a systems integration, mechatronics, or controls engineering roleHands-on experience integrating sensors - cameras, radar, LiDAR, IMUs, wheel-speed sensors, or similar - into real hardware systemsPractical experience with Simulink for system modeling, signal processing, and closed-loop simulationSolid understanding of how sensor data flows through a control architecture: signal conditioning, timing constraints, interface protocols, and actuator responseExperience with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) testing or equivalent simulation-based validationComfortable working in Linux-based development environmentsNice to HaveExperience with automotive chassis or vehicle dynamics systems - stability control, torque vectoring, active suspension, or similarFamiliarity with CAN bus or other automotive communication protocols (LIN, Ethernet, FlexRay)C/C++ familiarity - you won't be writing production firmware, but being able to read and understand embedded code is usefulROS or ROS2Experience with EV powertrain or regenerative systems integrationApplied AI or machine learning integration in a hardware context (not research-only)Background in automotive, industrial automation, or other safety-critical systems environmentsSuccessful engineers in this role tend to:Understand systems end-to-end, from the physics of the sensor to the response of the actuatorThink carefully about signal quality, timing, and failure modes, not just nominal-case behaviorMove fluidly between simulation and physical hardwareTake ownership of problems rather than passing them to the next teamCommunicate clearly across disciplines - hardware, controls, software, and validation don't always speak the same languagePrefer bench work and real data over theoretical models aloneThis role is not a fit if you're looking for:Web, frontend, or cloud-only developmentPure ML or data science work disconnected from physical systemsDeep embedded firmware or bare-metal driver developmentLarge organizations where scope is narrow and ownership is diffuseWhy JoinWork on a production-bound, software-defined vehicle platform actively entering the market with major global OEMsRare opportunity to work at the sensor-to-actuator integration layer on a next-generation safety-critical systemSmall, highly technical team where your work has direct visibility and impactCollaborate with engineers who have built real systems - not prototypes that stay on the shelfStrong compensation, global brand recognition, and a clear path to deeper technical ownership as the platform scalesAbout Face-2-Face Talent SolutionsFace-2-Face Talent Solutions is a boutique, global recruitment agency focused on automotive, aerospace and defense clients, as well as other high-tech organizations requiring specialized technical talent. Our role is to help our clients find great candidates like you and get them connected directly to hiring managers for full-time, direct employment opportunities. www.f2ftalent.com