The automotive industry and C++ have forged a strong alliance over the past four decades. Starting in the early 1980s with electronically controlled ignition and fuel injection systems programmed in C (C++’s predecessor), software has become an increasingly vital component of vehicles. Today, electronics account for a significant 35% of a car’s total cost, highlighting the pivotal role of programming in modern automobiles.
Over the last decade, C++ has undergone rapid evolution, enabling developers to create advanced functionalities and safety features even before stringent standards like ISO 26262 became mandatory. But What Programming Language Do Cars Use predominantly? The answer, for critical systems, is overwhelmingly C++.
Let’s delve into why C++ remains the cornerstone for self-driving car manufacturers and explore the landscape of C++ programmers in the automotive sector globally.
C++ Dominance in the Automotive Industry: Why?
Powering Computer Vision and Image Recognition
Autonomous vehicles rely heavily on computer vision and image recognition – essentially, their “eyes”. C++ excels in managing the complex data streams from multiple sensors that feed these systems.
OpenCV, a leading computer vision library, is written in C++. It provides essential tools for image manipulation, including resizing, color adjustments, contour detection, blurring, and edge detection. Furthermore, TensorFlow, a widely adopted framework for deep learning, also has a C++ implementation and remains highly popular in the field.
These technologies are fundamental to the operation of self-driving systems like those in Tesla cars. The crucial factor underpinning their effectiveness is C++’s exceptional speed in processing vast amounts of data in real-time, which is paramount for autonomous driving.
The Foundation of Embedded Systems in Vehicles
Engine control units (ECUs), the brains of a car’s embedded systems, are predominantly programmed in C++. C++’s strength lies in its ability to execute high-level, structured programming on low-level hardware mechanisms.
Modern vehicles contain a network of over 100 ECUs, each managing a range of functions from basic engine operations and power steering to advanced comfort, access, and security features.
These ECUs control critical aspects of a vehicle, including transmission, infotainment, engine management, active and passive safety systems (like ABS and ADAS), navigation, security, and climate control. C++’s efficiency and control make it ideal for these embedded automotive applications. This intricate hardware and software integration contributes significantly to vehicle cost, representing around 35% of the total price, and ensures a safe and comfortable experience for passengers.
Meeting Stringent Automotive Safety Standards: ISO 26262
C++ is well-suited to meet the rigorous functional safety, security, and performance demands mandated by ISO 26262, the internationally recognized safety standard for automotive manufacturers.
The latest ISO 26262 guidelines emphasize several key requirements for automotive software development:
- Scalability and Upgradability: Software must be easily scalable, updatable, and integrable with systems from various suppliers.
- Dependability and Reliability: High dependability is required in software components, libraries, tools, and ASIL (Automotive Safety Integrity Level) qualified components.
- Optimization and Performance: Software must be optimized for performance and efficiency.
C++ aligns perfectly with these requirements. Its extensive library support and compatibility with cross-platform compilers for diverse CPU architectures make it a robust choice for automotive software development, ensuring compliance with critical safety standards.
High Demand for C++ Skills in Autonomous Vehicle Development
The rise of autonomous vehicles and the involvement of tech giants like Tesla, Apple, Ford, and General Motors have fueled a surge in demand for C++ programmers specialized in automotive applications.
According to research by Indeed, companies like Aptiv and Nvidia are leading employers of C++ vehicle programmers in key tech hubs such as Detroit and Silicon Valley.
Automotive companies are actively seeking programmers proficient in C++ and C. Following these core languages, expertise in Python, image processing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning is highly valued, reflecting the evolving skill sets needed for advanced automotive development.
C++ Enabling the Reality of Self-Driving Cars
It is impossible to overstate C++’s importance in the automotive industry. Beyond enhancing vehicle comfort and features, C++ empowers vehicles to make independent, data-driven decisions, which is fundamental to autonomous driving.
The once-simple ECUs have evolved into sophisticated, interconnected systems. These systems now manage crucial decisions such as when to stop or start the car, regulate temperature, and perform countless other micro-decisions that were previously the sole responsibility of a human driver. C++ provides the performance and reliability necessary for these complex, real-time operations.
Top Skills in Demand for Vehicle Programmers (Indeed):
- C and C++ Programming
- Python Programming
- Image Processing
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Machine Learning (ML)
The Global C++ Programmer Pool
The automotive industry has revitalized the demand for C++, a programming language with a history spanning over 35 years.
The TIOBE index consistently ranks C++ among the top most popular programming languages globally, often holding a top-five position.
Estimates indicated approximately 4.4 million C++ programmers worldwide in 2018, with projections reaching 5.4 million by the end of 2021. This robust community of developers underscores the continued relevance and importance of C++ in the tech landscape.
The global automotive market is a massive $2.7 trillion industry, with major markets in China, the United States, and India. In the US alone, the industry employs around 1.7 million professionals.
However, manufacturing and software development locations often differ. Autonomous vehicle manufacturers are increasingly looking globally to find and recruit skilled C++ developers.
While C++ has a steeper learning curve compared to languages like JavaScript or Python, it is widely adopted in Eastern European countries, including Ukraine, Belarus, and Poland.
Notably, Ukraine boasts a significant number of C++ and Unity3D developers. Eastern Europe emerges as a key region for accessing a talented pool of C++ professionals for the automotive industry.
C++ Programmer Salary Trends Across the Globe
C++ programmers specializing in automotive command competitive salaries worldwide, reflecting the demand for their skills.
Australia leads with the highest average C++ programmer salaries at approximately $118,705 USD annually, followed closely by the United States at $117,874 USD. Denmark also offers high salaries, averaging around $81,516 USD. In contrast, Ukraine and Sweden show lower average salaries, at $30,400 USD and $55,703 USD respectively.
| Countries | C++ Programmer Salary |
|---|---|
| Ukraine | $30,400 dou.ua |
| Sweden | $55,703 Average Salary Survey |
| Germany | $58,897 SalaryExplorer |
| the Netherlands | $73,644 SalaryExplorer |
| the UK | $76,203 Indeed |
| Denmark | $81,516 SalaryExplorer |
| Australia | $118,705 Indeed |
Within the United States, California stands out as the highest-paying state for C++ programmers. Cities like Santa Clara, CA, San Francisco, CA, and Fremont, CA offer average annual salaries exceeding $120,000 USD, reaching up to $125,468 USD in Santa Clara.
| City | C++ Programmer Salary |
|---|---|
| Santa Clara, CA | $125,468 |
| San Francisco, CA | $125,430 |
| Fremont, CA | $120,428 |
| San Jose, CA | $117,874 |
| Alexandria, VA | $117,004 |
| Oakland, CA | $116,597 |
Ukraine, despite having a large pool of C++ developers, offers significantly lower salaries compared to Western countries. Junior C++ programmers in Ukraine may earn around $1000 per month, while mid-level programmers can expect $1500-$2200, and senior programmers can reach $3500-$4000 per month.
Leveraging Eastern European C++ Talent
A major challenge facing the automotive industry is a talent shortage, particularly for skilled C++ developers. This demand, coupled with salary variations across regions, leads automotive companies to explore outsourcing destinations like Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, and Romania.
These Eastern European countries offer a compelling combination of a large, technically proficient C++ developer pool and more competitive salary levels compared to North America or Western Europe.
Companies like Grid Dynamics, specializing in digital transformation and technology services, facilitate access to this skilled talent pool. With delivery centers across the Americas, Europe, and India, they can quickly assemble dedicated teams with specialized expertise.
For companies seeking C++ programmers, engaging with providers like Grid Dynamics can offer a strategic advantage, enabling them to build and scale development teams effectively in Eastern Europe. Starting with a smaller team and gradually expanding to a cross-functional unit with programmers, BAs, QAs, and UI/UX designers becomes a streamlined process. Finding the right C++ programmer begins with outlining project requirements and partnering with an expert team to identify the ideal candidates.
