Principal Solution Architect

About Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc.

At Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America (MBRDNA), we are committed to delivering world-class automotive technologies that push the boundaries of what is possible. Our teams of highly skilled engineers and designers use cutting-edge software and technology, to enhance the driving experience and reduce environmental impact.

The Infotainment & AI department is responsible for innovating and evolving the in-vehicle infotainment system for US customers, with the ambition to deliver a best-in-class, market-leading infotainment experience. By combining software platforms, AI capabilities, and customer-centric design, the department drives differentiation and customer satisfaction across the Mercedes-Benz portfolio.

The Role: Principal Solution Architect

The Principal Solution Architect is responsible for end-to-end technical ownership of the in-vehicle infotainment ecosystem, spanning embedded software, cloud services, mobile integration, and partner platforms. This role defines the technical north star for infotainment experiences in the US market while ensuring scalability, security, and global alignment.

This is a principal-level role with broad architectural accountability, strong influence across organizations, and deep collaboration with Product, UX, Data, and Engineering teams.

Job Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end infotainment system architecture across vehicle, cloud, and mobile domains
• Define architectural principles, standards, and reference designs for MBUX infotainment
• Lead cross-functional technical alignment between Product, UX, QM, Data Science, and Engineering
• Evaluate build vs. buy and integrations with external partners
• Anticipate long-term platform evolution and ensure backward compatibility and scalability
• Review designs, de-risk complex integrations, and guide technical trade-off decisions
• Represent infotainment architecture in executive, governance, and partner forums
• Mentor senior and staff-level engineers and architects

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• 10+ years of experience in large-scale software or embedded systems
• Proven ownership of end-to-end system architecture for complex consumer products
• Deep understanding of infotainment, embedded Linux, distributed systems, and cloud backends
• Strong ability to influence without authority across org and vendor boundaries
• Experience working with automotive OEMs, Tier-1s, and consumer tech ecosystems
• Excellent analytical, communication, and decision-making skills
• Standing and sitting for long periods of time
• Ability to get in and out of test and production vehicles as needed
• Valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with automotive infotainment platforms (MBUX preferred)
• Exposure to user experiences and data-informed system design

Why Apply to MBRDNA?

Here at MBRDNA, you create digital ecosystems around cars, you design a language between humans and machines, you make a car even more intelligent - you make the new reality for cars. MBRDNA was honored as one of the "Best Places to Work" by BuiltIn in January 2024, a testament to our commitment to creating an exceptional work environment. At each of our offices, we foster a culture of collaboration and continuous learning, ensuring every team member can thrive and innovate.

Key skills/competency

• System Architecture
• Infotainment Systems
• Embedded Software
• Cloud Services
• Distributed Systems
• AI Integration
• Technical Leadership
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Automotive Platforms
• Scalability & Security