About The Role

We are seeking a hands-on Director of Embedded Systems to lead the strategy, execution, and customer engagement for our embedded platforms in advanced automotive perception. Reporting directly to the VP R&D, you will manage the Embedded Software Team Lead (5 engineers) and the Software Architect, while also engaging closely with Tier-1/OEM customers and silicon vendors.

This role combines deep technical ownership, strong leadership, and customer-facing responsibilities in a fast-paced startup environment.

Responsibilities:

Leadership & Team Growth

• Lead the Embedded Software Team Lead and Software Architect, ensuring alignment between architecture, implementation, and delivery.
• Set priorities, allocate resources, and oversee execution across embedded software development.
• Act as the escalation point for complex technical or organizational challenges.
• Build a high-performance, accountable, and collaborative culture.
• Prepare for future team growth as the company scales.
  
  

Technical Ownership

• Remain hands-on with design reviews, architecture decisions, and technical discussions.
• Own the end-to-end embedded software vision for perception systems, balancing scalability, real-time performance, and safety.
• Oversee architecture across heterogeneous compute platforms (CPUs, GPUs, NPUs, MCUs).
• Ensure best practices in coding, reviews, testing, and integration in real-time, safety-critical environments.
• Coordinate with 3rd-party partners on middleware, BSP, OS abstraction, and low-level drivers, with the ability to read and challenge design documentation.
  
  

Customer & Partner Engagement

• Spend ~50% of your time outbound: lead technical discussions with Tier-1/OEM customers, support escalations, and represent embedded systems in workshops.
• Manage relationships with silicon vendors (e.g., TI, NVIDIA, Qualcomm, Renesas), staying aligned with their roadmaps.
• Ensure embedded deliverables are integrated smoothly with broader system needs in perception, hardware, and validation.
  
  

Standards & Compliance

• Own compliance with ASPICE, AUTOSAR, ISO 26262 (Functional Safety), and ISO/SAE 21434 (Cybersecurity).
• Lead audits, reviews, DFMEA/DFA processes, and quality gates.
• Define and enforce engineering processes and metrics across the embedded team.
  
  

Innovation & Roadmap

• Track industry trends in embedded systems, AI acceleration, and automotive perception.
• Shape the long-term roadmap for embedded platforms in collaboration with executives.
• Evaluate and adopt new tools, frameworks, and hardware accelerators to enhance performance and safety.
  
  

Requirements:

Qualifications

• 15+ years in embedded systems/software development, with 8+ years in automotive or Tier-1/OEM environments.
• Proven track record in senior management roles (Director / Head of Embedded / Engineering Manager).
• Hands-on technical depth in software architecture, embedded development, and safety-critical systems.
• Strong programming background in C/C++; familiarity with Python and ML frameworks is a plus.
• Experience with automotive communication protocols (CAN, LIN, Ethernet, FlexRay).
• Deep knowledge of ISO 26262, ASPICE, AUTOSAR, and cybersecurity standards.
• Advantage: Experience with TI TDA4 and NVIDIA platforms.
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills, with ability to engage both executives and customers.
• Advanced degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field preferred.
• Startup mindset: hands-on, adaptable, execution-driven, while experienced in working with Tier-1/OEMs.