Senior Software Engineer - Time Synchronization & Embedded Networking

Senior Software Engineer - Time Synchronization & Embedded Networking

Pittsburgh, PA, Palo Alto, CA, Detroit, MI

Latitude AI (lat.ai) develops automated driving technologies, including L3, for Ford vehicles ’re driven by the opportunity to reimagine what it’s like to drive and make travel safer, less stressful, and more enjoyable for everyone.

When you join the Latitude team, you’ll work alongside leading experts across machine learning and robotics, cloud platforms, mapping, sensors and compute systems, test operations, systems and safety engineering—
all dedicated to making a real, positive impact on the driving experience for millions of people.

As a Ford Motor Company subsidiary, we operate independently to develop automated driving technology at the speed of a technology startup. Latitude is headquartered in Pittsburgh with engineering centers in Dearborn, Mich., and Palo Alto, Calif.

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of high‑precision time synchronization solutions for autonomous systems, utilizing IEEE 1588 (PTP) and IEEE 802.1AS (gPTP), including architecting clock distribution, leveraging hardware time stamping, and implementing efficient time distribution mechanisms
• Design and execute comprehensive testing, validation, and performance optimization strategies for timing systems, ensuring sub‑microsecond accuracy, and diagnose and resolve complex timing, latency, and synchronization issues (e.g., task starvation, offset deviations)
• Design, develop, and validate safety‑critical time synchronization and networking components in compliance with functional safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262), including creating safety monitors, contributing to safety analyses (HARA, FMEA), and developing verification plans
• Design, develop, and optimize embedded networking solutions, including configuring Ethernet switches and their forwarding mechanisms (e.g., Address Lookup Engines), managing multicast, unicast, VLANs, static ARP/MAC entries, and debugging network traffic flows
• Actively contribute to technical and architectural discussions, collaborate with cross‑functional teams and external partners, and contribute to technical documentation and industry standards related to timing and networking

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics or a related field and 4+ years of relevant experience (or Master’s degree and 2+ years of relevant experience, or PhD)
• 5+ years of experience in embedded systems software development, with a significant focus on time synchronization
• Expert‑level knowledge and hands‑on experience with IEEE 1588 (PTP) and IEEE 802.1AS (gPTP) in real‑world embedded systems
• Strong understanding of time synchronization architectures, measurement methodologies, and standards (e.g., NTP, GNSS‑based synchronization)
• Proven hands‑on experience with timing measurement instrumentation and analysis tools
• Strong understanding and practical experience with functional safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262) for software and systems
• Proficiency in C and modern C++ programming for embedded systems, particularly in RTOS or embedded Linux environments
• Proven experience in designing, implementing, and analyzing network protocols and embedded Ethernet switches
• Excellent problem‑solving, analytical, and debugging skills for both time synchronization and networking
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts and collaborate effectively

• Experience with other automotive or industrial communication protocols (e.g., CAN, Automotive Ethernet)
• Knowledge of broader Time‑Sensitive Networking (TSN) standards beyond PTP/gPTP
• Experience with simulation tools
• Scripting proficiency (e.g., Python) for automation, testing, and data analysis
• Experience with hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) or software‑in‑the‑loop (SIL) testing
• Familiarity with various System‑on‑Chip (SoC) and their networking peripherals
• Knowledge of network security concepts like MACSec in embedded systems
• Experience with kernel‑level programming, device drivers, and/or real‑time systems software

• Competitive…