Principal, Quality Architect

42dot, Inc

$233K — $336K *
Aerospace & Defense
15+ years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 25+ years in Firmware Engineering, Embedded Quality, or Regulatory Governance
  • Track record in leading embedded platforms through formal safety certifications (ISO 26262, DO-178C, IEC 61508)
  • Expert knowledge of safety-critical software standards and frameworks
  • Experience with third-party certifying bodies and regulatory relationships
  • Strong auditing skills of C code and architectural designs for safety compliance
  • Ability to influence cross-functional teams and diverse stakeholders
  • Preferred: formal certification in safety-critical areas

Responsibilities

  • Manage certification processes as the technical liaison to external auditors
  • Collaborate with the internal Functional Safety Organization
  • Translate system safety goals into firmware requirements and certification evidence
  • Oversee the firmware safety lifecycle adhering to ISO 26262-6
  • Define evidence requirements for automated and hardware-in-the-loop testing
  • Lead the creation of safety-critical documentation and ensure ASPICE compliance
  • Partner with internal safety stakeholders to clear engineering milestones

Benefits

  • Formal work structure with defined technical lead roles
  • Opportunity to influence critical safety architecture in firmware
  • Collaborative work environment with internal safety organizations and external auditors
  • Exposure to high-integrity systems and adherence to stringent safety standards
  • Engagement with a variety of regulatory frameworks across sectors (automotive, aerospace, industrial, medical)
Full Job Description
About the Role

As the Principal Quality Architect, you are the technical lead for the external certification of our firmware platform. You serve as the vital link between the Firmware Development team, the internal Functional Safety Organization (FSO), and external regulatory bodies. Your mission is to ensure the firmware architecture meets rigorous safety standards while leading the engagement with third-party auditors to achieve formal automotive safety-critical certifications. Responsibilities

Responsibilities
  • Certification Management: Act as the primary technical liaison to external auditors (e.g., TÜV). Lead the technical defense of the platform architecture to secure formal automotive safety certifications.
  • Safety Organization Interface: Collaborate with the internal Functional Safety Organization (FSO).
  • Translate system-level safety goals into firmware-specific requirements and deliver certified platform evidence/manuals.
  • Compliance Governance: Oversee the firmware-specific safety lifecycle (ISO 26262-6). Ensure the codebase adheres to strict integrity standards, focusing on partitioning, fault isolation, and freedom from interference.
  • Verification Strategy: Define the evidence requirements for automated testing, unit testing, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) environments.
  • Process Traceability: Lead the creation of safety-critical documentation including Software Detailed Designs and Verification Reports. Ensure the development workflow meets ASPICE requirements.
  • Internal Safety Milestones: Partner with internal safety stakeholders to clear engineering gates and "pre-approve" platform components before final external assessments.

Qualifications
  • Experience: 25+ years in Firmware Engineering, Embedded Quality, or Regulatory Governance for high-integrity systems.
  • Certification Track Record: Proven success leading a complex embedded platform through a formal external safety certification process (e.g., ISO 26262, DO-178C, IEC 61508, or equivalent).
  • Standards Expertise: Expert knowledge of safety-critical software standards and process frameworks.
  • While ISO 26262 and ASPICE are preferred, candidates with equivalent expertise in Aerospace (DO-178), Industrial (IEC 61508), or Medical (IEC 62304) are encouraged to apply.
  • Auditor Relations: Extensive experience managing technical assessments and relationships with third-party certifying bodies or government regulators.
  • Embedded Fluency: Strong ability to audit C code and architectural designs for safety logic and adherence to coding standards (e.g., MISRA, JSF).
  • Stakeholder Management: Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams and align diverse stakeholders (Engineering, Safety, and Regulatory).
  • Ensure test coverage satisfies the proof-of-compliance required for external audit.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Safety Professional Status: Formal certification in a safety-critical areas

Interview Process
  • Application Review - Coding Test - 1st interview - 2nd interview - Offer Negotiation - Hiring
  • The screening procedures may vary depending on the position, schedule, or other circumstances.
    You will be individually notified of the screening schedule and results via the email address provided in your application.

Compensation
  • $233,700 - $336,300

Additional Information
  • In accordance with fair hiring practices, do not include any personal information unrelated to your job qualifications (e.g., Social Security Number, family relations, marital status, age, photo, physical condition, place of birth, etc.) in your resume.
  • All documents must be submitted in PDF format and under 30MB in size.
  • If you experience issues uploading your resume, please send it along with the job posting URL to [redacted].
  • We strongly encourage applications from U.S. veterans and candidates eligible for employment preference under applicable laws.


※ Please review the following information before applying.
  • How to work in 42dot, About 42dot Way →

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