High tech systems for autonomous vehicles developed by Veoneer engineers in Timişoara

A few hundred software engineers at the Veoneer Company in Timişoara are developing high tech products that contribute to the creation of autonomous vehicles. Veoneer is the safety electronics spin-off company of Autoliv, the global leader in the manufacture of automotive safety systems.

Veoneer is a new company in the field of electronics safety, becoming Autoliv’s spin-off company in 2018. In other words, this is a fresh company that is nevertheless building on Autoliv’s solid foundation comprising more than 60 years of expertise in automotive safety systems’ industry.

The company aims to become the main provider of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving systems, as well as the market leader for automotive electronic safety products. The engineers are designing and developing hardware and software technologies and electronic systems, and its products include active safety products, such as automotive radars, cameras with daytime and nighttime driver assistance systems, positioning systems, passive safety systems and brake systems.

Veoneer has more than 8,300 employees in 13 countries, operating both development and manufacture hubs. The concern is present in Romania as of 2006, with one hub operating in Timișoara and, as of 2017, another one in Iași. This year, Veoneer Romania hit two major milestones: a total of 1,000 employees and the first 100 engineers in the Iaşi-based office, respectively.

Open, multicultural work environment, with numerous personal and professional development opportunities

The 450 plus engineers working in the R&D hub in Timişoara play a defining role in consolidating the Veoneer’s global position. The company has been growing for a few years now and this growing process is set to continue through 2019. The focus is on graduates from technical specialties, particularly Automation & Computers and Electronics & Telecommunication graduates that are keen on automotive and experienced in RD&E. “We are looking for software engineers that can leave their mark on high tech products, which contribute to the development of autonomous vehicles. Veoneer provides the suitable context for showcasing their intelligence, technical skills and creativity. In addition to the high tech projects, our benefits include facilities such as private healthcare services, flexible office hours, and the possibility to work remotely, discounts for various services and activities, and parties. Individual and team development programs and teambuilding opportunities naturally play a major role in this context,” said Cătălin Tănasă, Director of Veoneer Romania.

As of 2017, the Timişoara-based hub moved in the Openville mixed-use project, in the United Business Center 2 class-A office building. The Veoneer hub spans on 4 floors, comprising premises with modern fit-outs and amenities, and the employees benefit from numerous facilities and services, particularly in the Iulius Mall shopping center located in the immediate vicinity. “The strategic location in the city and the plethora of services/means of transportation in its vicinity moved the downtown of Timişoara to Openville, making it THE place to work in,” said Cătălin Tănasă.

With a mean age around 30 years old, the Timişoara-based team works on last generation projects for some of the most famous automotive manufacturers in the world, and its employees have the possibility to grow as professionals in an international work environment. The employees frequently interact with engineers or clients from abroad or visit – for various projects – countries such as France, Germany, Sweden, the United States of America, or Japan. This is, perhaps, one of the reasons why Veoneer attracted software engineers not only from Timişoara, but also from other university cities.

Internship and personal development programs

Future engineers also enjoy the attention of the company, as the latter organizes annually various activities that provide them the opportunity to get a taste of the Veoneer projects, benefitting from consistent support from more experienced colleagues. “We encourage students to participate in internship programs and stay on our team upon completion thereof, and we meet them halfway by providing flexible work hours, so as to make sure we do not affect their academic performances. We are open to all forms of collaboration: summertime internships, Academy-type programs, where they simply learn the ropes of the developer profession, internships, part-time employment, support for graduation papers, and others,” added the Director of Veoneer Romania.

Through the years, the company built a solid collaboration with the universities in Timişoara and Iași, thus helping students to accumulate both theoretical notions and the necessary practical experience. For six years now, Veoneer has participated in AC Labs, a project by the Students’ League at the Faculty of Automation and Computers with the Polytechnic University of Timişoara, and Veoneer Academy, a professional reconversion program, is now in its’ seventh edition. “We are glad to see colleagues that have become mainstay members of our teams and that have joined us 6-7 years ago via one of these programs,” said Cătălin Tănasă.

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