If you want a good salary with impact and embedded/high performance C++ look into the self driving field. Check companies like “Cruise” and “Waymo” and see levels.fyi. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but it is making the future vs simply manipulating the finical system.
Thanks for the recommendations. I've applied to more traditional auto firms (BMW, VW, Mercedes, Volvo), and hadn't really considered the newer ones. Cruise looks particularly interesting.