Senior Software Engineer – Futures R&D

As a Senior Software Engineer and Systems Design Lead, you will guide the technical direction of AAA’s speculative and applied R&D. The role blends systems thinking with hands-on engineering to turn foresight into working prototypes and repeatable platform patterns. You’ll partner across Product, UX, Research, and Engineering to de-risk emerging tech and inform AAA’s 2–10-year roadmap in mobility, insurance, and member services. You will design modular systems, build reusable R&D scaffolding, and drive disciplined experimentation—moving from signals and hypotheses to functional proofs and clear transition plans for production teams.

What You’ll Do

Define reference designs and interface contracts for Horizons 1–3; ensure solutions are scalable, modular, and interoperable.Stand up a governed Futures Sandbox and reusable frameworks/pipelines, plus evaluation harnesses (datasets, metrics, red-team tests) to accelerate experiments.Run deep research and decision-grade spikes; design and execute experiments (benchmarks, A/Bs, pilots) with clear kill/continue criteria.Evaluate and integrate emerging tech (AI/ML incl. agentic systems, IoT/edge, XR, voice); model TCO and recommend build/partner/buy paths.Translate foresight signals into multi-horizon roadmaps using backcasting; rapidly prototype POCs and prepare production-handoff packages with ClubLabs Tech leads.

What You’ll Need

Systems design expertise, including backcasting and multi-horizon technology roadmap creation.Proven ability to stand up and maintain R&D platforms (sandbox, starter repos, pipelines, eval tools) that drive reuse and speed.Fluency in AI/ML (especially agentic patterns) and working knowledge of IoT/edge, XR, and voice; comfort weighing build/partner/buy with TCO analysis.Strong experimentation toolkit: designing benchmarks/A/Bs/pilots; building datasets/metrics; evaluating safety, privacy, bias, cost, latency, and performance.Excellent technical communication and collaboration—publishing strategy notes/RFCs, documenting findings crisply, enforcing guardrails, and coordinating smooth production transitions.

Minimum Qualifications

8+ years professional software engineering, including 3+ in senior/technical design within R&D.Deep experience in systems design and integration across distributed, cloud-native platforms.Proven success leading cross-functional R&D programs from discovery through validation and transition.Strong full-stack skills (e.g., Python, C++, JavaScript/Node/React; Unity, Swift, or Kotlin as applicable).Expertise in emerging tech: generative AI/ML, intelligent agents, AR/VR/XR, connected devices, or edge computing.Cloud & DevOps proficiency (AWS/Azure/GCP, CI/CD, containers, API-driven systems, IaC).Ability to design and prototype amid ambiguity, including Horizon 3 explorations.Clear systems thinking and communication with senior and non-technical audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in innovation labs, R&D, or advanced-tech groups (e.g., Google X, Microsoft Garage, Reality Labs).Graduate degree in CS, Engineering, HCI, or related field.Background in design-led or foresight-driven innovation.Open-source contributions, patents, or publications.

#LI-DI

The starting pay range for this position is:

$142,300.00 - $189,200.00

Additionally, for full time positions, you will be eligible to participate in our incentive program based upon the achievement of organization, team and personal performance.

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Remarkable benefits:
•    Health coverage for medical, dental, vision
•    401(K) saving plan with company match AND Pension
•    Tuition assistance
•    PTO for community volunteer programs
•    Wellness program
•    Employee discounts

Auto Club Enterprises is the largest federation of AAA clubs in the nation. We have 14,000 employees in 21 states helping 17 million members. The strength of our organization is our employees. Bringing together and supporting different cultures, backgrounds, personalities, and strengths creates a team capable of delivering legendary, lifetime service to our members. When we embrace our diversity – we win. All of Us! With our national brand recognition, long-standing reputation since 1902, and constantly growing membership, we are seeking career-minded, service-driven professionals to join our team.

“Through dedicated employees we proudly deliver legendary service and beneficial products that provide members peace of mind and value.”

AAA is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The Automobile Club of Southern California will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO), the Unincorporated Los Angeles County (ULAC) regulation, and the California Fair Chance Act (CFCA).