Latest trends in the automated driving and MaaS industry and job market trends.

Autonomous driving technology has great potential to solve social issues, such as reducing traffic accidents, easing traffic congestion, making travel more efficient, and reducing environmental problems. At the same time, this technology is forming a new industrial ecosystem involving not only automobile manufacturers but also various industries such as IT companies, communication companies, semiconductors, and battery manufacturers. As a result, there is a growing demand for people with expertise and experience related to autonomous driving technology, and new career opportunities are being created in a wide range of occupations, including software development engineers, AI development engineers, sensor engineers, data analysts, and even project managers.
In this article, we will explore in detail the latest trends in autonomous driving technology in the automotive industry and the associated changes in the job market. From the cutting edge of technology to the possibility of career changes, we will explore the full scope of new opportunities brought by autonomous driving.

• Hello! I am K.F, an Auto tech consultant at Talisman Corporation, who will guide you through this content.
  I usually help people change jobs to the autonomous driving and MaaS industries, so I would be happy if you could use this page as a reference and ask me for advice.

  

  AutoTechTeam
  K.F

The Automotive Industry: A Transformation in a Century

Electrification and the development of autonomous driving technology

In 2023, global car sales reached 92.72 million units (*1), with the total market size of the automotive industry estimated at approximately ¥400 trillion, making it the largest industry globally. Over the past few decades, the industry has undergone significant technological advancements. Recently, the concept of “CASE” (Connected, Autonomous/Automated, Shared & Services, and Electrification) has gained significant attention, heralding a transformation that the industry describes as a “once-in-a-century revolution.”
Electric Vehicle (EV) sales have been steadily increasing. According to projections by the International Energy Agency (IEA), approximately 17 million EVs are expected to be sold in 2024, accounting for 20% of global new car sales (*2). This shift is crucial for achieving carbon neutrality, which aims to balance greenhouse gas emissions with their absorption.
Autonomous driving technology is also considered a cornerstone of the automotive industry’s future. It is highly anticipated for its potential to prevent accidents, improve traffic efficiency, and address labor shortages. Automotive manufacturers are focusing on developing sustainable transportation systems and offering innovative mobility services, driving the industry’s continued evolution.
source (e.g. of a report, document, etc.):
※1 OICA（International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers）「Global Sales Statistics 2019 – 2023」
※2 IEA（International Energy Agency）Global EV Outlook 2024

Levels of Autonomous Driving and Key Technologies

Autonomous driving is classified into six levels, ranging from Level 0 (manual driving) to Level 5 (full automation). In Japan, Level 2 and Level 3 technologies have been commercialized. These technologies partially automate driving under specific conditions, allowing drivers to relinquish control in certain scenarios. For example, at Level 3, autonomous driving on highways is possible, enabling hands-off operations under defined conditions.

For a car to drive autonomously, it must replicate three critical human actions: perception, decision-making, and control. Below, we highlight some of the key technologies enabling autonomous driving.

Japan’s Mobility DX Strategy

As the technological development race intensifies in each country as described above, Japan formulated the “Mobility DX Strategy” in May 2024 after public-private discussions under the leadership of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The ultimate goal of the strategy is for Japan to achieve a 30% share of global sales of SDVs (*) by 2035.
※SDV（Software Defined Vehicle）：Vehicles that can update the software that controls the vehicle using a interactive communication function between the vehicle and the external parties, allowing for more functions and improved performance after the vehicle has been sold.

In the strategic roadmap, the government has set a KPI for the mobility services sector of realizing transportation services utilizing Level 4 autonomous driving systems in around 50 locations nationwide by fiscal 2025, and at more than 100 locations by fiscal 2027. In addition, measures are included to secure software engineering talent, and there is a strong recognition of the challenges in terms of human resources , with plans to launch a community called the “Mobility DX Platform.”

The Autonomous Driving and MaaS Industry Map

The image is an industry map created by the 35ish editorial department that lists notable autonomous driving and MaaS companies by segment.

Of course, the major automobile and semiconductor manufacturers are the most obvious Japanese companies (shown in bold red), but below we will introduce some particularly noteworthy startup companies.

• Turing Co., Ltd.
  Although Turing was founded in August 2021, it has been promoting itself as an “automobile manufacturer” from the beginning. CEO Yamamoto stated that “we will create a finished car manufacturer that will surpass Tesla,” and has set its mission as “We Overtake Tesla.” Another noteworthy point is that the company has set a goal of mass-producing 10,000 fully autonomous EVs by 2030.
• SmartDrive Co., Ltd.
  SmartDrive(since 2013) has set the vision of “supporting the evolution of mobility” since its founding, and collects and analyzes various sensor data related to moving objects and deploys it on an open platform. It has a track record of implementation and partnerships with many large companies, and was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market in December 2022.

Below is a list of noteworthy companies related to autonomous driving technology. You can also search by category, so please use it to gather information.
*Created by the 35ish editorial department based on the client list (including candidates) of the Talisman AutoTech specialist team.

分類	企業名 / Website	国
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Audi
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Ford
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Hyundai
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	KIA motors
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Stellantis
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Volkswagen
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Toyota
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Nissan
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	BAIC
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Mercedes-Benz
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	BMW
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	GM
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Honda
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Jaguar
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	GEELY
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Renault
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Tesla
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Volvo
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	SAIC
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	CHANGAN
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	CHERY
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Waymo
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	LYFT
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	NAVYA
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Torc Robotics
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	SD advanced engineering
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Uber
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Easy mile
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	2get there
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Baidu 百度
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Zoox
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Nauto
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	May mobility
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	NXP
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	ZF
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	NVIDIA
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	MAGNA
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Continental
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	BOSCH
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Aptiv
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	HITACHI
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Renesas
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	SAMSUNG
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	intel
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Visteon
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	ZMP
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	RoboCV
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS	Turing
PROCESSING	Renesas
PROCESSING	NVIDIA
PROCESSING	Mobileye
PROCESSING	KALRAY
PROCESSING	Synopsys
PROCESSING	NXP
PROCESSING	TOSHIBA
PROCESSING	CEVA
PROCESSING	cadence
PROCESSING	Imagination Technologies
PROCESSING	Analog Devices
PROCESSING	AMD
PROCESSING	intel
PROCESSING	arm
PROCESSING	Outsight
PROCESSING	ST
PROCESSING	videantis
PROCESSING	Texas Instrument
PROCESSING	MARVELL
PROCESSING	Graphcore
PROCESSING	Qualcomm
PROCESSING	AI motive
SENSING	BOSCH
SENSING	Texas Instrument
SENSING	ZF
SENSING	Mitsubishi
SENSING	Continental
SENSING	microvision
SENSING	Valeo
SENSING	XenomatiX
SENSING	arbe
SENSING	TOSHIBA
SENSING	HITACHI
SENSING	Luminar
SENSING	Autoliv
SENSING	KOSTAL
SENSING	HYUNDAI MOBIS
SENSING	Aptiv
SENSING	INNOVIZ
SENSING	Pioneer
SENSING	DENSO
SENSING	robosense
SENSING	LG Innotek
SENSING	LYNRED
SENSING	Panasonic
SENSING	HARMAN
SENSING	Denso ten
SENSING	MAGNA
SENSING	OUSTER
SENSING	TetraVue
SENSING	QUANERGY
SENSING	Aeye
SENSING	Teledyne FLIR
SENSING	FORVIA HELLA
SENSING	novatel
SENSING	Infineon Technologies
SENSING	ECHODYNE
SENSING	HL Mando
SENSING	Leddar Tech
SENSING	Trimble Applanix
SENSING	NXP
SENSING	Trimble
SENSING	U-blox
SENSING	Honeywell
SENSING	SBG SYSTEMS
SENSING	OMNIVISION
SENSING	OSRAM
SENSING	SIMENS
SENSING	Melexis
SENSING	Lumentum
SENSING	SONY
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	HITACHI
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	Renesas
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	NXP
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	Continental
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	Texas Instrument
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	BlackBerry QNX
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	BOSCH
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	MARVELL
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	Analog Devices
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	Semtech
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	intel
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	Realtek
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	Cohda Wireless
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	BROADCOM
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	TTTech
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	TE Connectivity
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	Valens
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	Elektrobit
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	microchip
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	DENSO
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	HARMAN
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	Infineon Technologies
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	SIMENS EDA
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	molex
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	SmartDrive
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	GreenRoad
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	W-Locate
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	Vnomics
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	ZONAR
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	Peloton Technology
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	Car IQ
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	IMS
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	metromile
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	Zubie
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	Vinli
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	MOJIO
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	Airbiquity
DATA/CONNECTIVITY	Automile
MAPPING	TomTom
MAPPING	here
MAPPING	Google
MAPPING	NavInfo
MAPPING	Sanborn
MAPPING	Dynamic Map Platform
MAPPING	DEEPMAP
MAPPING	GeoDigital
MAPPING	Geo Technologies
MAPPING	Civil Maps
SOFTWARE/ALGO	Baidu 百度
SOFTWARE/ALGO	Mapbox
SOFTWARE/ALGO	ZENRIN
SOFTWARE/ALGO	Trimble Applanix
SOFTWARE/ALGO	apollo
SOFTWARE/ALGO	Elektrobit
SOFTWARE/ALGO	dSPACE
SOFTWARE/ALGO	NVIDIA
SOFTWARE/ALGO	AI motive
SOFTWARE/ALGO	Five AI
SOFTWARE/ALGO	Mitsubishi
SOFTWARE/ALGO	oxa
SOFTWARE/ALGO	Outsight
SOFTWARE/ALGO	KPIT
SOFTWARE/ALGO	BASELABS
SOFTWARE/ALGO	Luxoft
SOFTWARE/ALGO	Neusoft
SOFTWARE/ALGO	Nauto
SOFTWARE/ALGO	Mobileye
SOFTWARE/ALGO	HCL tech
SOFTWARE/ALGO	AURORA
SECURITY/SAFETY	HARMAN
SECURITY/SAFETY	Karamba Security
SECURITY/SAFETY	BOSCH
SECURITY/SAFETY	SIMENS EDA
SECURITY/SAFETY	Aptiv
SECURITY/SAFETY	Continental
SECURITY/SAFETY	Wind River
SECURITY/SAFETY	HITACHI
SECURITY/SAFETY	NXP
SECURITY/SAFETY	IBM
SECURITY/SAFETY	verizon
SECURITY/SAFETY	Renesas
SECURITY/SAFETY	PlaxidityX
SECURITY/SAFETY	BlackBerry QNX
SECURITY/SAFETY	intel
SECURITY/SAFETY	DENSO
SECURITY/SAFETY	ETAS
SECURITY/SAFETY	Green Hills Software
SECURITY/SAFETY	LYNX
SECURITY/SAFETY	secunet
SECURITY/SAFETY	irdeto
SECURITY/SAFETY	Synopsys
SECURITY/SAFETY	ST
SECURITY/SAFETY	KPIT
SECURITY/SAFETY	Rambus
SECURITY/SAFETY	Texas Instrument
SECURITY/SAFETY	Infineon Technologies
SECURITY/SAFETY	VECTOR
SECURITY/SAFETY	CAMBRIDGE MOBILE TELEMATICS
SECURITY/SAFETY	Lytx
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	HCL tech
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	Ansys
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	Polysync
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	ESI
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	IAR
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	Dataspeed Inc.
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	INTEMPORA
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	LDRA
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	Mechanical Simulation
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	MathWorks
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	Synopsys
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	TTTech
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	dSPACE
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	IAV
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	ETAS
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	Elektrobit
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	AdaCore
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	KPIT
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	SIMENS
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	VECTOR
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	b-plus
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	BASELABS
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	IPG
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	SIMENS EDA
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	AMD
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	Maplesoft
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	AutonomouStuff
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS	Tata Elxsi

Current state of the automotive job market

The automotive industry is undergoing a period of great change, and the demand for IT professionals is growing rapidly. In this section, we will explain the current recruitment situation in the automotive industry and the type of people required.

Overall recruitment trends

In the automotive industry, software-related job openings are increasing rapidly. This is due to the advancement of SDV (Software Defined Vehicles), which means that software is having a major impact on vehicle functions and performance. In particular, with the spread of 5G technology, there is a growing need for hiring in the connected field, including autonomous driving systems, vehicle network connections, and OTA (Over The Air: software updates and information collection using wireless communication). This trend is also spreading to the fields of in-vehicle systems and cybersecurity, and the number of job openings has increased significantly in recent years.

Areas where job openings are on the rise

Software-related job openings are increasing in areas such as autonomous driving technology, connected systems, cybersecurity, and MaaS (Mobility as a Service) . Hiring is underway in a wide range of positions, with many job openings in the MaaS field in particular related to data analysis and mobile app development.
Systems engineers and infrastructure engineers are often hired with a focus on system development and operation skills, making these positions easy to try even for those without experience in the automotive industry. On the other hand, experience in the automotive industry is often a requirement for embedded engineers, and job changes within the industry are common. Model-based development (MBD) using simulations has become mainstream in the development of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) and AD (Autonomous Driving), and it offers various benefits such as the ability to test more situations than traditional real-vehicle testing. Therefore, engineers with model and simulation development skills are needed.

Desired personality and skills

• Work experience rather than academic background
  The automotive industry as a whole tends to emphasize work experience over academic background. In actual job postings, the job description often only states “university graduate, science major (technical)”. When changing jobs, regardless of industry, you should focus on your experience and skills from your previous job when preparing your application documents and preparing for interviews.

• A strong passion for manufacturing.
  Because the automobile industry is about “manufacturing,” there are many people who have a strong passion for technology and a craftsman-like nature, especially among embedded engineers. Creativity and inquisitiveness are important factors, and an attitude of proactively learning new technologies and continuing to have a technical inquisitiveness is highly valued.

• In the field of autonomous driving technology
  The field of autonomous driving technology particularly welcomes individuals with the following specialized knowledge and skills:
  • DAS (Driver Assistance Systems) Camera : : This is a camera technology that detects the situation around the vehicle. These cameras are used in systems that assist with lane keeping, collision avoidance, traffic sign recognition, etc. People who are knowledgeable about DAS camera design and data processing are highly valued.
  • AUTOSAR (AUTomotive Open System ARchitecture): A software architecture standard widely used in the automotive industry. AUTOSAR can increase the compatibility and efficiency of in-vehicle software, so people with this knowledge are important in the development of autonomous vehicles.
  • MATLAB/Simulink/Stateflow: These are tools used for modeling, simulation, and algorithm development. In autonomous driving technology, these tools are used to simulate vehicle control systems and operations, so people who are familiar with these tools are required.
  • ECU (Electronic Control Unit): An electronic control unit that handles various control functions within a vehicle. Autonomous driving systems require automatic control of the entire vehicle, including braking, steering, engine, etc., so people with an understanding of ECUs are welcome in development sites.

  People with knowledge of these technologies will be highly valued as they can contribute to improving the accuracy and safety of self-driving cars.

Tips for job hunting in the autonomous driving and MaaS industry

1. How to search for jobs

① Use major job search sites

• LinkedIn↗︎
  LinkedIn is a powerful tool that allows you to directly connect with automotive companies and recruiters through a global network. By updating your profile with the latest information and highlighting your relevant skills and experience, you can expect to be scouted by agents and recruiters.
• doda↗︎
  “doda” is a general job and career change site that is widely used in Japan. In the automotive industry, there are sometimes more than 100 scouts in a month , probably because the number of registered candidates is small compared to the hiring needs.

② Use agents and scouting services

Benefits of using a recruitment agency

Recruitment agencies who are familiar with the automotive industry are more likely to introduce non-public job openings, and many people are scouted through agencies. In addition, they can also provide support for brushing up your application documents and preparing for interviews, so you can proceed with confidence even if it is your first time changing jobs.

Talisman has a consulting team that specializes in the automotive industry. We are particularly strong in embedded systems, and can introduce you to multiple companies.

AutoTechTeam
K.F

How to get scouted

As with any medium, getting scouted requires a little trick to receive quality scouts. No matter how great your skills and experience are, they cannot be seen in a simple profile that only lists your job title. If you can make your profile look attractive by detailing your technical skills and experience in development projects, you will be more likely to catch the attention of corporate recruiters.

2. Interview preparation specific to the automotive industry

① Important points for the interview

1. Demonstrate your achievements
In an automotive interview, it is important to demonstrate your specific experience and achievements, especially for technical roles. Interviewers will ask for details of past projects and work to evaluate your technical skills. It is effective to explain your specific achievements, your role in the project, the technologies and tools you used, and how you dealt with challenges you faced with numbers and concrete examples.

2. Understanding of industry knowledge and trends
The automotive industry is undergoing rapid technological innovation such as CASE, so you need to show that you are familiar with the latest industry trends and technological developments. During the interview, you may be asked for your views on things like “How are you responding to current industry trends?” and “How will the development of autonomous driving technology and electrification affect the industry in the future?” You can make a strong impression by demonstrating your knowledge and highlighting how you can contribute with an eye to the future of the industry.

② Examples of frequently asked questions

In interviews for the automotive industry, you will often see questions about industry-specific expertise and work experience. Below are some examples of commonly asked questions.

“Tell us about a vehicle design or development project you have been involved in. What challenges did you face and how did you deal with them?”

“What techniques and tools did you use to work on the mechanical design and electronic control systems of the car?”

“Please explain in detail your experience developing electrification and autonomous driving technologies.”

“What has been your most successful project in the automotive industry so far?”

“How do you keep up with trends and latest technological developments in the automotive industry?”

“Have you ever collaborated across departments in a previous job? How did that experience benefit the project?”

Support from Talisman

To successfully transition into the automotive industry, we recommend getting professional support. Talisman offers comprehensive support tailored to the needs of job seekers. Below are the main areas of support we offer:

1. Resume Review and Application Document Enhancement

Confirming your aspirations and desired conditions

First, we listen in detail to your specific career goals, work location, and position preferences. By confirming the desired technical field and career path, we identify the best company and position for the candidate. Through this process, we achieve a high level of matching accuracy that cannot be achieved by direct applications.

Brushing up your resume

We will also review your application documents before submitting them to the company, and can provide advice if necessary. In addition, there may be cases where a resume in two languages ​​is required. Talisman has multiple bilingual consultants and foreign consultants on staff, so we can handle resumes in Japanese, English, and Chinese.

2. Interview preparation and follow-up support

Reducing Anxiety and Preparing for Interviews

We help candidates address any concerns or questions they have before interviews, ensuring they can approach the process with confidence. Our support includes guidance on answering specific questions and preparing for technical queries unique to the automotive industry. After interviews, we provide prompt feedback, highlighting next steps and areas for improvement.

Adapting to Different Interview Styles

For international candidates, we offer detailed explanations of Japanese interview styles and corporate culture. We also assist with scheduling interviews and adapting to the specific requirements of each position. Acting as the liaison with the hiring companies, we ensure a smooth process from initial contact to receiving an offer, helping candidates navigate the journey with ease.

3. Coordination of Multiple Recruitment Processes

Schedule adjustment and information sharing

When candidates are engaged in interviews with multiple companies, we manage schedules and keep track of each selection stage. This coordination allows candidates to handle multiple processes efficiently and make decisions at the best possible time without feeling overwhelmed. Utilizing an agent ensures a smoother experience and maximizes opportunities for a successful career move.

Talk to Talisman about your new job

Find MaaS-related jobs

This article was supervised by Autotech Specialist team.
Comment by K.FThe automated driving and MaaS industry has moved beyond the existing automotive industry and merged with software engineering. Now, this new ecosystem is looking for people with a wide range of expertise. We have connections with a wide range of companies, from foreign and Japanese global companies to start-ups, and will do our best to support you in your new job.

PickUp Job Opportunities

For more information on the following job vacancies, please contact the Autotech Specialist Team