SW Lead Architect

Technology Innovation Institute; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 420,000 - 720,000; Full time

Job summary

Technology Innovation Institute is seeking a Software Lead Architect in Abu Dhabi to define and drive the software architecture across the full product lifecycle. You will translate system requirements into robust, scalable software solutions and lead embedded, firmware, and system-level development with hands-on technical leadership.

The role collaborates with R&D, hardware, systems, manufacturing, suppliers, and customers to ensure successful software delivery, integration, and production

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Embedded Systems, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in software engineering, embedded systems, or complex product development.
• Strong hands-on experience across full software lifecycle, from requirements to production release.
• Proven experience transitioning software from prototype to production deployment.
• Experience with embedded software/firmware and system-level software.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the overall software architecture aligned with requirements and regulatory needs.
• Translate system-level requirements into software architecture & implementation requirements.
• Lead software design across embedded, firmware, and system-level software.
• Support the full software development lifecycle from requirements to customer release.
• Drive integration, debugging, and optimization for production deployments.

Skills

Technical leadership

Architecture design

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in CS/SE/Embedded Systems/CE

Tools

C/C++

Python

RTOS

Git

CI/CD

Jira

JTAG/Debug tools

Job description

The Software Lead Architect will be responsible for defining and driving the software architecture across the full product development lifecycle, from requirements definition and prototype development through system integration, validation, and production deployment.

The role requires strong hands-on expertise in embedded and system-level software, with the ability to translate customer and system requirements into robust, scalable, and production-ready software solutions. The successful candidate will work closely with R&D, hardware, systems, manufacturing, suppliers, and customers to ensure successful software delivery and integration.

Key Responsibilities

Software Architecture & Development

• Define and maintain the overall software architecture in alignment with product, system, customer, and regulatory requirements.
• Translate system-level requirements into clear software architecture, design, and implementation requirements.
• Lead software design activities across embedded, firmware, and system-level software.
• Support the full software development lifecycle, from requirements definition through customer release.
• Establish scalable and maintainable software solutions suitable for production deployment.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership in software design, development, integration, and troubleshooting.
• Provide software work-effort estimates and support technical planning activities.

System Integration & Deployment

• Lead and support software integration, system bring-up, and prototype validation.
• Support the transition of software from prototype and R&D environments into production-ready deployments.
• Conduct integration readiness assessments and software release reviews.
• Support pilot deployments, production deployment, and scaling activities.
• Oversee software configuration, firmware updates, production flashing, diagnostics, and logging requirements.
• Work closely with hardware and systems teams to resolve complex integration issues.

Validation, Quality & Reliability

• Define and support software verification and validation activities across unit, integration, and system-level testing.
• Ensure software is designed with appropriate testability, reliability, and robustness considerations.
• Perform and lead root-cause analysis for complex system-level and low-level software issues.
• Drive debugging, performance optimization, and corrective actions.
• Support compliance with applicable regulatory and safety-related software requirements.
• Ensure appropriate software configuration management and release controls are maintained.

Technical Leadership & Collaboration

• Conduct technical design and architecture reviews.
• Provide technical guidance to software development and integration teams.
• Collaborate closely with R&D, hardware, systems, manufacturing, and product teams.
• Coordinate technically with system integrators, external software vendors, and subcontractors.
• Engage with customers and suppliers to clarify technical requirements and resolve software-related issues.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Embedded Systems, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.

Experience

• 10+ years of relevant experience in software engineering, embedded systems, or complex product development.
• Strong hands-on experience across the full product software development lifecycle, from requirements definition through production/customer release.
• Proven experience transitioning software solutions from prototype to production deployment.
• Strong experience with embedded software, firmware, and/or system-level software.
• Demonstrated experience defining software architectures and leading software design activities.
• Experience supporting system integration, prototype bring-up, pilot deployments, and production scaling.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of software architecture and software development lifecycle methodologies.
• Strong understanding of embedded systems and real-time operating systems (RTOS).
• Proficiency in C/C++ and/or Python, or comparable programming languages.
• Experience with software integration, system bring-up, debugging, and root-cause analysis.
• Knowledge of Design for Testability (DFT) from a software perspective.
• Experience with software verification and validation, including unit, integration, and system-level testing.
• Experience with performance optimization and software configuration management.
• Proficiency with version control systems such as Git.
• Experience with build systems and CI/CD pipelines.
• Experience using debugging tools such as JTAG, trace tools, and log analyzers.
• Familiarity with relevant IDEs, testing frameworks, and issue-tracking tools such as Jira.
• Understanding of firmware update mechanisms, production software flashing/configuration, diagnostics, and logging.

Preferred Industry Experience

Experience within one or more of the following environments would be advantageous:

• Embedded systems
• IoT platforms
• Industrial software systems
• Autonomous systems
• Real-time and mission-critical systems
• Complex hardware/software integrated products

Core Competencies

• Strong technical leadership and architecture decision-making.
• Excellent analytical, debugging, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively across software, hardware, systems, and manufacturing disciplines.
• Strong stakeholder and supplier management capabilities from a technical perspective.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.