How QNX + Vector Are Recruiting the Engineers Who Will Build Software-Defined Vehicles
About this episode
Dive into the evolving world of software-defined vehicles with experts from QNX and Vector as they discuss attracting top software engineering talent to the automotive industry. Karen Shang and Andy Gritz share their personal journeys, the importance of hands-on experience, and how their companies support education through tools, hackathons, and university partnerships. They also explore the impact of AI on automotive software development, the significance of soft skills, and practical advice for students aiming to break into this tech-driven field. Plus, they explain how QNX and Vector collaborate to build reliable, safe vehicle software.
From Ottawa’s QNX Garage, we sit down with Karen Xiong (Vector) and Andy Gryc (QNX) to talk about the talent behind software-defined vehicles. We cover career paths into automotive software, what companies actually look for in engineers today (CI/CD, systems thinking, reliability), and why “vibe coding” isn’t replacing safety-critical development anytime soon. Plus: practical tools and skills students can start learning now—from QNX Everywhere to ROS and in-vehicle Ethernet.
software defined vehicles
""...where are we going, how are we going to get there, what are software defined vehicles, and who's going to build them and program them.""
Software defined vehicles are cars that use computer programs to control many parts of how they work. This means the car can get better or change by updating the software, like how your phone gets updates.
Software defined vehicles are cars where most functions and features are controlled or enhanced by software, allowing for updates, new features, and customization without hardware changes. This represents a shift from traditional mechanical or hardware-focused vehicles to ones driven by software capabilities.
QNX
""We're in Cunix's garage here up in beautiful Ottawa. We're going to talk to two very special people... The Inevitable podcast is brought to you by Cunix, whose high performance foundational software powers over 275 million vehicles on the road today.""
QNX is a type of computer software that helps cars run safely and reliably. Many cars use it to control important parts and features.
QNX is a real-time operating system widely used in automotive applications for its reliability and safety features. It powers foundational software in millions of vehicles, enabling critical vehicle functions and software-defined capabilities.
Vector
""The Inevitable podcast is also brought to you by Vector, a competent partner in embedded software. For over 35 years, Vector has been helping the industry simplify complexity and accelerate the transition to software defined vehicles.""
Vector is a company that makes software to help cars work better and smarter. They help car makers build the software that controls many parts of the car.
Vector is a company specializing in embedded software solutions for the automotive industry, helping simplify complex software systems and accelerate the transition to software defined vehicles.
Ford
"Both my parents worked for like OEMs in the area, so like Ford and GM."
Ford is a big company that makes cars and trucks. They are one of the main car makers in the United States.
Ford is a major American automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles including trucks, SUVs, and passenger cars. It has a significant presence in the automotive industry, especially in Michigan.
General Motors
"Both my parents worked for like OEMs in the area, so like Ford and GM."
General Motors, or GM, is a big company that makes many types of cars and trucks. They own brands like Chevrolet and Cadillac.
General Motors (GM) is a large American automotive corporation that owns several car brands such as Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Buick. It is a key player in the automotive industry with a long history of vehicle manufacturing.
OEM
"Both my parents worked for like OEMs in the area, so like Ford and GM."
OEM means the company that originally makes the car or parts. For example, Ford is an OEM because they make their own cars.
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, referring to companies that produce parts or vehicles that are sold under another company's brand. In automotive context, OEMs are the main vehicle manufacturers like Ford or GM.
FPGA
"I liked working with the FPGAs. FPGAs. What's that? Field programmable gate array."
An FPGA is a special kind of computer chip that you can program to do different jobs. Car makers use them to help control things inside cars.
FPGA stands for Field Programmable Gate Array, which is a type of integrated circuit that can be programmed after manufacturing to perform specific logical functions. They are commonly used in automotive electronics for flexible and efficient hardware processing.
horsepower
""...there's a, you know, new X blind. It does this and it's got this many horsepower. I'm like, who cares?""
Horsepower tells you how strong a car's engine is and how fast it can go. The higher the horsepower, the more powerful the car usually is.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement for engine power, indicating how much work an engine can perform over time. It is commonly used to describe the performance capability of cars.
ARM processor
""...What's in the, is that? Oh, is that an arm processor? Like, oh, cool. Yeah.""
An ARM processor is a small computer chip inside cars that helps run the software and controls many functions, like the screen and engine management.
An ARM processor is a type of computer chip architecture widely used in automotive electronics and mobile devices due to its energy efficiency and performance. It is often found in vehicle control units and infotainment systems.
Ford Mustang
"I love to write about Ferraris and Mustangs. I'm like, yeah, you know what?"
The Mustang is a famous American car that is known for being fast and fun to drive. People who like cars often talk about Mustangs.
The Ford Mustang is an iconic American muscle car known for its powerful engines and sporty design. It represents a popular enthusiast vehicle with a long history.
Honda Civic
"I can't find these people who want to write about all Corollas and Civics, but also go deep on all that's all the stuff that's coming."
The Civic is a small car that many people use every day because it is dependable and good on gas. Some people also like to customize it to make it look or go faster.
The Honda Civic is a compact car known for its reliability, efficiency, and strong enthusiast community. It is a common daily driver and also popular for modifications.
Toyota Corolla
"I can't find these people who want to write about all Corollas and Civics, but also go deep on all that's all the stuff that's coming."
The Corolla is a small car that many people buy because it is reliable and easy to drive. It is very popular around the world.
The Toyota Corolla is a widely sold compact car known for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and practicality. It is one of the best-selling cars globally.
OnStar
"And then Andy, after, well, let's talk a little bit about your years at, your three years at GM, an on-star. This was 2001 through 2004."
OnStar is a service in some cars that helps you with things like emergencies, directions, and car health by using a built-in phone in the car.
OnStar is a subscription-based communications, in-vehicle security, and emergency services feature developed by General Motors. It provides services like automatic crash response, vehicle diagnostics, and turn-by-turn navigation through a built-in cellular connection.
analog sunset
"So I was there during when they had the analog sunset years. So they had started out everything with analog cell phones and then moving over to digital."
The analog sunset means the time when old-style cell phone networks were turned off and replaced by newer digital ones that work better.
The analog sunset refers to the period when analog cellular networks were phased out in favor of digital networks. This transition improved call quality, security, and allowed for more advanced mobile services.
tier one suppliers
"And then a bunch of people, you know, different tier ones and Denso's and Delphi's and all those companies will actually bid on it."
Tier one suppliers are companies that make important parts or systems and sell them directly to car makers to put in their cars.
Tier one suppliers are companies that supply parts or systems directly to automotive manufacturers (OEMs). Examples include Denso and Delphi, which provide components or modules that are integrated into vehicles.
Delphi
"And then a bunch of people, you know, different tier ones and Denso's and Delphi's and all those companies will actually bid on it."
Delphi is a company that makes important parts and systems for cars, like electronics and safety features, which car makers use.
Delphi Technologies is an automotive parts supplier specializing in electronics, powertrain, and safety systems. They often act as tier one suppliers providing modules and components to OEMs.
Denso
"And then a bunch of people, you know, different tier ones and Denso's and Delphi's and all those companies will actually bid on it."
Denso is a big company that makes parts for cars, like air conditioning and engine controls, which car makers use in their vehicles.
Denso is a major global automotive parts manufacturer known for producing components like climate control systems, engine management, and electrical systems. They are a common tier one supplier to many car manufacturers.
LA Auto Show
""LA Auto Show, Automobility Advisory Board chair. Yeah. That's hilarious because then the timeframe that I live in LA, I've been going to the auto show since I was a kid...""
The LA Auto Show is a big car event in Los Angeles where companies show off new cars and ideas. It's like a big car party for people who love cars.
The LA Auto Show is a major annual automotive event held in Los Angeles where manufacturers showcase new vehicles, concepts, and technology. It is a significant event in the automotive industry calendar.
Automobility
""I've been going to the auto show since I was a kid and then I went, Automobility came up, I was like, what's this?""
Automobility means new ways cars and transportation work together, like self-driving cars or smart technology in vehicles. It's about making travel easier and safer.
Automobility refers to the integration of automotive and mobility technologies, focusing on innovations like connected vehicles, autonomous driving, and new transportation solutions. It represents the future direction of the automotive industry.
ADAS
"There wasn't really until around, actually right around 2020 when we're like, hey, you know the cars and the software stuff and ADAS. It's not going away."
ADAS means special computer systems in cars that help drivers by making driving safer and easier, like helping you park or avoid accidents.
ADAS stands for Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems, which are electronic systems in vehicles that help the driver with driving and parking functions to increase car safety and improve driving comfort.
cybersecurity regulations
"while being able to maintain those strict safety, cybersecurity, I guess. Regulations? Yeah, exactly. Regulations that we need to adhere to in the auto industry."
Cybersecurity rules help keep car computers safe from hackers who might try to break in and cause problems.
Cybersecurity regulations require automotive software to protect vehicles from hacking and unauthorized access, ensuring the safety and privacy of vehicle systems and data.
safety regulations
"while being able to maintain those strict safety, cybersecurity, I guess. Regulations? Yeah, exactly. Regulations that we need to adhere to in the auto industry."
Safety regulations are rules that car makers have to follow to make sure cars don't hurt people and work safely.
Safety regulations in the automotive industry are rules and standards that manufacturers and software developers must follow to ensure vehicles are safe for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
CI pipeline
""It's more just how you're building it from your requirements to automation, for example, like doing CI, for example. Not only are you coding the functionality, but you're able to manage the source code... building up the CI pipeline, automating tests, making sure you're able to catch things earlier and iterate quicker...""
A CI pipeline is like a system that checks new software changes automatically to make sure everything works well before adding them to the main program. This helps fix problems faster.
A CI (Continuous Integration) pipeline is a process in software development where code changes are automatically tested and integrated frequently to catch errors early and speed up development.
hackathons
""I think when I think about the relationships that I have with universities and students, a lot of them are through hackathons. Some of our capstone projects, all that kind of stuff.""
Hackathons are like competitions where people work together to build software or solve problems quickly, helping them learn and show their skills.
Hackathons are events where programmers and engineers collaborate intensively on software projects over a short period, often used by companies to engage and recruit talent.
Bosch
"...that's going to have GM or Ford or Bosch or Continental or Tenneco or something, right?"
Bosch is a company that makes parts and technology used in cars, like sensors and safety equipment. Many car makers use Bosch parts in their vehicles.
Bosch is a global engineering and electronics company that supplies automotive parts and technology, including sensors, fuel injection systems, and safety components to many car manufacturers.
Continental
"...that's going to have GM or Ford or Bosch or Continental or Tenneco or something, right?"
Continental is a company that makes important parts for cars, like tires and brakes. Many cars use parts from Continental.
Continental is a German automotive parts manufacturer known for tires, braking systems, and various vehicle electronics. It supplies many car companies worldwide with essential components.
GM
"...that's going to have GM or Ford or Bosch or Continental or Tenneco or something, right?"
GM is a big car company from the U.S. that makes many popular cars and trucks. They are important in the car industry and make lots of different vehicles.
GM, or General Motors, is a major American automotive manufacturer known for brands like Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Buick. It is one of the largest car companies globally and plays a significant role in automotive innovation and manufacturing.
Tenneco
"...that's going to have GM or Ford or Bosch or Continental or Tenneco or something, right?"
Tenneco is a company that makes parts for cars to help with things like smooth rides and cleaner exhaust. Many cars have Tenneco parts inside.
Tenneco is an automotive parts manufacturer specializing in ride performance and clean air products, such as shock absorbers and exhaust systems, supplying many vehicle makers globally.
LAN
""Ethernet in the car is replacing can and LAN. More and more, yeah. Connected like a local area networks.""
LAN is a way for parts inside a car to connect and share information over a small network. Newer cars are using faster ways to do this.
LAN (Local Area Network) refers to a network that connects devices within a limited area such as a vehicle. In automotive context, LAN protocols have been used for communication between electronic modules but are being replaced by Ethernet for better performance.
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