Senior Staff Lidar Systems Architect

Aurora Innovation Aurora Innovation · Robotics · Mountain View, CA · Hardware

Senior Staff Lidar Systems Architect role focused on defining the next-generation architecture of high-performance lidar systems, bridging high-level requirements with hardware implementation. Responsibilities include electrical and firmware partitioning, defining interfaces between photonic modules and supporting systems, and optimizing for performance, scalability, and automotive reliability.

What you'd actually do

  1. Be responsible for the lidar sensor system architecture including functional decomposition, module definition, and electrical to photonic interface definition.
  2. Translate top-level functional requirements into detailed requirements for design teams including EE, ME, and FW
  3. Partner and collaborate with EE, Embedded FW/SW, integrated photonics, and ME design teams to balance tradeoffs between mechanical, electrical, thermal, and optical requirements.
  4. Lead strategy for architectural evolution between lidar generations, particularly in EE and FW domains, to reduce cost, power, and size of sensor
  5. Drive initial bring-up and debugging for key electrical-to-photonic interfaces and modules.

Skills

Required

  • PhD or MS in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field with 8+ years of relevant experience, or a BS with 12+ years of experience.
  • Deep understanding of active sensors including lidar, radar, or spectral imaging systems.
  • Proven track record of architecting complex sensing systems, specifically defining EE/FW partitions and high-speed data interfaces.
  • Proficiency in system simulation and modeling and familiarity with high-performance FPGA/SoC architectures.

Nice to have

  • Experience with Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICS) and the unique challenges of integrating them with standard electronics OR experience with defining system architecture and specifications for sensor ASICs / ROICs and working with vendors on physical implementation.
  • Experience taking high-performance sensors from initial R&D through mass manufacturing and field validation.
  • Familiarity with ISO 26262, ASIL requirements, and AEC-Q100/200 component qualification.

What the JD emphasized

  • architecting complex sensing systems
  • defining EE/FW partitions
  • high-speed data interfaces