CONTRACT: Sr AI Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 21, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 7, 2026. Volkswagen scores A on the Alion truth index.
Worldwide, the Volkswagen Group has a long tradition of dramatic innovations. The Volkswagen Group with its headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany is one of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers and the largest carmaker in Europe. The Group comprises twelve brands from seven European countries: Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ducati, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Scania and MAN.
Brief Role Description
At the Innovation & Engineering Center California (IECC), we represent the Volkswagen Group in applied research and development. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, we create bold new ideas for the Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Bugatti and Porsche brands. We’re a team of engineers, designers, scientists, and psychologists looking to develop innovations for future generations of cars, and to transfer technologies from many industries and research institutions into the automotive domain. Our mission is to drive change which means we are not only impacting one of the world’s largest car makers, but also the lives of millions of people. Are you ready to join us?
Role Summary
This role will be tasked with applying machine learning/deep learning to the automotive industry. Applications could include autonomous driving, manufacturing, material design etc. Working in our facility requires a high level of independence and an ability to deal with lots of ambiguity. In addition to assigned projects, this individual and subsequent team will be responsible for coming up with the “next big thing” that nobody has thought of as yet, building it and selling it.
This position should be held by a Computer Science Engineer, or equivalent, with experience in the development of Software and Software architectures.
Possible Tasks within this Role
Software Development
- Maintains, as well as furthers, enhances existing machine learning modules.
- Designs and implements new machine learning based approaches based on existing frameworks.
- Keeps up to speed with the state of the art of academic research and technology in the industry.
- Transfers technologies and solutions to Volkswagen Group.
Software Testing and Evaluation
- Integrates new software modules into the framework.
- Tests developed modules in the prototype (unit tests, integration tests, in-vehicle/field tests, etc.).
- Analyzes and evaluates conducted tests.
Process Documentation
- Develops technical specifications and documentation.
Qualification requirements
Relevant Work Experience
5+ years related post-grad work experience or equivalent combination of education and related work experience)
Education
Required
Master’s Degree in Computer Science or equivalent.
Desired
PhD.
Required
- Background in Deep Neural Network Learning, Computer Vision and Machine Learning
- Strong programming skills with Python and PyTorch on desktops, embedded and cloud (e.g. AWS)
- Experience with data gathering, data quality, system architecture, coding best practices
- Take initiative to launch projects with the ability to quickly learn and develop own ideas in an interdisciplinary environment
- Extracting high level logical structure from low level, multi-dimensional data
- Experience with Transformers, CNNs, RNN, LSTMs and the latest research trends
- Specification/Documentation of interfaces between software modules
Desired
- Graphical Models
- Object Detection, NLP, Scene Understanding
- Background or strong interest in automotive Engineering
- Big Data and cloud experience strongly preferred
- Passion for cars or physical products.
Skills
- Strong communication skills - ability to explain complex technical topics to non-experts.
- Team player with good collaboration and integration skills - joining people, processes and systems.
- Highly innovative and capable of seeing problems and potential solutions in a new light.
- Able to work in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary, time-line and target oriented work environment.
- Problem solving skills.
- Analytical skills.
- Conceptual thinking skills
Compensation Data
This position is located in Belmont, CA. The employer anticipates a pay range for this location between $145,000 - $195,000.
Competencies
Act as an owner
Be a pioneer
Handle complexity
Live integrity & compliance
Perform together
Live passion
Think ahead
Volkswagen Group of America 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.
This role description is a guideline and does not create contractual rights between the Company and any of its applicants. The Company does not enter into any type of employment contract, implied or written, with its applicants regarding job security.
This Organization participates in E-Verify. We maintain a drug free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.
Worldwide, the Volkswagen Group has a long tradition of dramatic innovations. The Volkswagen Group with its headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany is one of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers and the largest carmaker in Europe. The Group comprises twelve brands from seven European countries: Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ducati, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Scania and MAN.
Brief Role Description
At the Innovation & Engineering Center California (IECC), we represent the Volkswagen Group in applied research and development. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, we create bold new ideas for the Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Bugatti and Porsche brands. We’re a team of engineers, designers, scientists, and psychologists looking to develop innovations for future generations of cars, and to transfer technologies from many industries and research institutions into the automotive domain. Our mission is to drive change which means we are not only impacting one of the world’s largest car makers, but also the lives of millions of people. Are you ready to join us?
Role Summary
This role will be tasked with applying machine learning/deep learning to the automotive industry. Applications could include autonomous driving, manufacturing, material design etc. Working in our facility requires a high level of independence and an ability to deal with lots of ambiguity. In addition to assigned projects, this individual and subsequent team will be responsible for coming up with the “next big thing” that nobody has thought of as yet, building it and selling it.
This position should be held by a Computer Science Engineer, or equivalent, with experience in the development of Software and Software architectures.
Possible Tasks within this Role
Software Development
- Maintains, as well as furthers, enhances existing machine learning modules.
- Designs and implements new machine learning based approaches based on existing frameworks.
- Keeps up to speed with the state of the art of academic research and technology in the industry.
- Transfers technologies and solutions to Volkswagen Group.
Software Testing and Evaluation
- Integrates new software modules into the framework.
- Tests developed modules in the prototype (unit tests, integration tests, in-vehicle/field tests, etc.).
- Analyzes and evaluates conducted tests.
Process Documentation
- Develops technical specifications and documentation.
Qualification requirements
Relevant Work Experience
5+ years related post-grad work experience or equivalent combination of education and related work experience)
Education
Required
Master’s Degree in Computer Science or equivalent.
Desired
PhD.
Required
- Background in Deep Neural Network Learning, Computer Vision and Machine Learning
- Strong programming skills with Python and PyTorch on desktops, embedded and cloud (e.g. AWS)
- Experience with data gathering, data quality, system architecture, coding best practices
- Take initiative to launch projects with the ability to quickly learn and develop own ideas in an interdisciplinary environment
- Extracting high level logical structure from low level, multi-dimensional data
- Experience with Transformers, CNNs, RNN, LSTMs and the latest research trends
- Specification/Documentation of interfaces between software modules
Desired
- Graphical Models
- Object Detection, NLP, Scene Understanding
- Background or strong interest in automotive Engineering
- Big Data and cloud experience strongly preferred
- Passion for cars or physical products.
Skills
- Strong communication skills - ability to explain complex technical topics to non-experts.
- Team player with good collaboration and integration skills - joining people, processes and systems.
- Highly innovative and capable of seeing problems and potential solutions in a new light.
- Able to work in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary, time-line and target oriented work environment.
- Problem solving skills.
- Analytical skills.
- Conceptual thinking skills
Compensation Data
This position is located in Belmont, CA. The employer anticipates a pay range for this location between $145,000 - $195,000.
Competencies
Act as an owner
Be a pioneer
Handle complexity
Live integrity & compliance
Perform together
Live passion
Think ahead
Volkswagen Group of America 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.
This role description is a guideline and does not create contractual rights between the Company and any of its applicants. The Company does not enter into any type of employment contract, implied or written, with its applicants regarding job security.
This Organization participates in E-Verify. We maintain a drug free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.