Software Architect - Robotics & DronesAs a
Software Architect - Robotics & Drones, you will provide technical leadership for the design, development, and deployment of next-generation software platforms that power autonomous robotic systems. You will be responsible for defining software architecture, collaborating with the development teams, and ensuring scalable, reliable, safe, and high-performance solutions across robotics, drone, and intelligent machine platforms. You will work at the intersection of embedded software, robotics, AI/ML, autonomy, sensing, and systems engineering, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams spanning software, hardware, systems, product strategy, and customer engineering organizations.
Key Responsibilities Software Architecture Leadership- Lead software architecture planning, design, implementation, and deployment for robotics and drone platforms.
- Define, document, and maintain scalable, modular, and reusable software architectures and interfaces.
- Participate in product/platform planning, requirements definition, and evaluation of architectural alternatives.
- Allocate software functionality across components, middleware, services, and hardware platforms.
- Define and ensure fulfillment of critical non-functional requirements including performance, timing, reliability, and scalability.
- Establish software development standards, coding guidelines, and architecture best practices.
- Review architecture, design, code, open-source usage, and release readiness to ensure quality and compliance.
- Collaborate with Agile teams to evolve platform architecture and maximize software reuse.
Embedded Software & Platform Engineering- Architect software platforms running on embedded microprocessors, microcontrollers, and heterogeneous computing platforms.
- Support defining resource budgets for CPU utilization, memory, storage, power consumption, bandwidth, and latency.
- Collaborate with hardware teams to influence processor selection, sensor integration, networking, and platform trade-offs.
- Support development on Linux and RTOS-based environments.
- Guide implementation of real-time, deterministic, and safety-relevant software capabilities.
Systems Engineering, Quality & Customer Engagement- Collaborate with systems engineering teams to define customer requirements, use cases, and interface specifications.
- Work closely with Product Development and Product Strategy teams to define platform roadmaps and feature sets.
- Work with customers, suppliers, and stakeholders to define requirements, expected system behavior, and platform roadmaps.
- Support new program pursuits, change requests, estimations, and customer quotations.
- Establish performance, reliability, maintainability, and scalability metrics.
- Drive implementation of automated testing, continuous integration, and software quality processes.
- Support compliance with applicable industry standards and development processes.
- Develop, analyze, and realize reusable software products and platform capabilities.
- Support definition of functional requirements and ownership of key non-functional requirements.
- Align interfaces across internal and external software components and partner integrations.
- Drive built-in quality through architecture reviews, CI/CD, testing, and quality processes.
- Support software DFMEA, safety, cybersecurity, and compliance activities in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
Robotics & Autonomous Systems- Architect software platforms supporting AMRs, drones and industrial automation systems.
- Collaborate with robotics teams developing perception, localization, navigation, planning, mission management, and control software.
- Design middleware and communication frameworks leveraging technologies such as ROS 2, DDS, Ethernet, and service-oriented architectures.
- Define interfaces between sensors, actuators, embedded controllers, edge devices, and cloud services.
- Support integration of cameras, radar, lidar, ultrasonic sensors, GPS/GNSS, IMUs, and other sensing technologies.
- Drive architectural decisions for distributed and heterogeneous robotic systems.
Basic Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related discipline.
- 8+ years of experience in embedded software development.
- 3+ years in a software architecture, technical lead, or principal engineer role.
- Proven experience defining software architectures for complex embedded systems.
- Experience modeling tools such as Enterprise Architect.
- Strong understanding of software engineering principles and embedded hardware/software architectures.
- Experience with embedded processors and platforms from NVIDIA, Qualcomm, NXP, Renesas, AMD, Intel, TI, or similar vendors.
- Experience with Linux-based embedded operating systems and/or RTOS environments.
- Strong proficiency in C/C++.
- Experience driving architecture decisions across multidisciplinary organizations.
- Experience with the V-model development flow.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
Preferred Qualifications- 12+ years of experience in embedded software and system architecture.
- Knowledge of AI/ML, Edge Computing, IoT, or Robotics platforms.
- Experience with robotics, autonomous systems, drones, AMRs/AGVs, industrial automation, or intelligent machines.
- Experience with ROS 2, DDS, robotics middleware, or distributed embedded software architectures.
- Experience integrating camera, radar, lidar, GPS, IMU, ultrasonic, and other sensor technologies.
- Experience with Docker, CI/CD pipelines, DevOps practices, and automated software deployment.
- Familiarity with communication protocols including CAN, Ethernet, TSN, DDS, and similar.
- Experience with low-level software development including SPI, I2C, UART, Ethernet, PCIe, and device drivers.
- Familiarity with simulation and virtual validation environments such as Gazebo, Isaac Sim, AirSim, CARLA, or equivalent platforms.
- Knowledge of functional safety standards and safety-critical development processes, including ISO 26262, IEC 61508 or related standards.
- Familiarity with Automotive SPICE, AUTOSAR, or equivalent structured software development methodologies.
Traits We Value- Strong systems-thinking mindset with the ability to optimize across hardware and software boundaries.
- Passion for robotics, drones, autonomous systems, and embedded technologies.
- Ability to balance long-term architectural vision with pragmatic product delivery.
- Ownership mentality with a strong bias toward execution.
- Collaborative leadership style with a passion for mentorship and technical excellence.
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to navigate ambiguity.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Desire to build scalable software platforms that power the next generation of autonomous and intelligent machines.
