Senior Software Architect - RISC-V Embedded Systems

Microchip Technology Inc.; Burnaby; On-site; CAD 148,000 - 313,000; Full time

Job summary

Microchip Technology Inc. is seeking a visionary Software Architect to lead the end-to-end design of a scalable software foundation for our next-generation 64-bit RISC-V multi-processor SoC-PIC64, ensuring top-tier reliability for aerospace, defense, and automotive applications.

You will bridge concept to deployment, mentor engineering teams, and help shape the product roadmap while delivering a robust Linux/RTOS platform with Ethernet, PCIe, and security features.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as a Software Architect for high-reliability embedded systems.
• Background in Avionics or Automotive with requirements traceability.
• Strong expertise in RTOS, multi-processor systems, and low-level programming.
• Proven ability to mentor teams and communicate with customers.

Responsibilities

• Define end-to-end software architecture for a new RISC-V SoC.
• Establish coding standards and architectural guidelines.
• Lead architecture reviews and mentorship forums.
• Oversee software design, implementation, and verification evidence.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Applications teams on roadmap.

Skills

RTOS

multi-processor architectures

C/C++

Python

Leadership

Tools

Jira

Job description

Are you looking for a unique opportunity to be a part of something great? Want to join a 17,000-member team that works on the technology that powers the world around us? Looking for an atmosphere of trust, empowerment, respect, diversity, and communication? How about an opportunity to own a piece of a multi-billion dollar (with a B!) global organization? We offer all that and more at Microchip Technology Inc.

People come to work at Microchip because we help design the technology that runs the world. They stay because our culture supports their growth and stability. They are challenged and driven by an incredible array of products and solutions with unlimited career potential. Microchip’s nationally-recognized Leadership Passage Programs support career growth where we proudly enroll over a thousand people annually. We take pride in our commitment to employee development, values-based decision making, and strong sense of community, driven by our Vision, Mission, and 11 Guiding Values; we affectionately refer to it as the Aggregate System and it’s won us countless awards for diversity and workplace excellence.

Our company is built by dedicated team players who love to challenge the status quo; we did not achieve record revenue and over 30 years of quarterly profitability without a great team dedicated to empowering innovation. People like you.

Job Description

We are looking for a visionary Software Architect to lead the end-to-end design of a scalable software foundation for our next-generation 64-bit RISC-V multi-processor SoC-PIC64. You will bridge the gap between high-level concept and deployment-ready reality, ensuring our platform meets the rigorous reliability and security standards of the Aerospace, Defense, and Automotive industries.

Our Team

We are building software for Microchip’s leading-edge, high-performance 64-bit System-on-Chip (SoC) devices, such as the PIC64HX and PIC64HPSC—our first RISC-V offering designed for Aerospace & Defense (A&D) and industrial markets.

These SoCs integrate clusters of high-performance CPUs running Linux or an RTOS, and provide advanced connectivity such as Ethernet/TSN, Ethernet switching, and PCIe/CXL, along with additional peripheral interfaces and specialized functions.

Our software serves as the foundation for mission-focused solutions developed by our customers for control and autonomous systems in space, aerospace, automotive, and other markets. We focus on technical excellence, teamwork, collaboration, and continuous improvement in an open and dynamic environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Architectural Leadership: Define the end-to-end software architecture for a new RISC-V SoC, ensuring it meets strict real-time, performance, and security benchmarks.
• Standards & Governance: Establish coding standards and architectural guidelines aligned with industry best practices (A&D/Automotive). Implement rigorous requirements management and end-to-end traceability.
• Technical Mentorship: Lead architecture and technical review forums, providing direction and mentorship to engineering teams to ensure consistent design rigor.
• Lifecycle Management: Oversee software designs, implementations, and verification evidence. Ensure all objective records (Jira/lifecycle tools) meet customer quality expectations.
• Strategic Partnership: Act as the technical face of the architecture in customer discussions. Partner with Marketing and Application s teams to influence product roadmap and customer success.

Requirements/Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Proven Expertise: Extensive experience as a Software Architect for high-reliability embedded systems, including architecting platforms from scratch.
• Industry Context: A background in Avionics or Automotive development with deep knowledge of requirements traceability and evidence-based delivery.
• Technical Mastery: Strong expertise in RTOS, multi-processor architectures, and low-level programming (C/C++ and Python).
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to mentor engineering teams and communicate complex technical concepts to customers.

Nice to Have

• Compliance Standards: Familiarity with DO-178C/ED-12C or ISO 26262/ASPICE.
• Modern Platforms: Hands-on experience with RISC-V architectures and embedded Linux in mixed-workload systems.
• Hardware/Software Co-design: Experience with systems engineering and hardware/software co-development workflows.
• AI-Forward Mindset: Open-minded and eager to leverage AI-assisted tools in the development process to accelerate design, implementation, review, and documentation.

What We Offer

• Impact: High technical ownership of a cutting-edge RISC-V platform from concept to productization.
• Influence: A seat at the table to shape product strategy and drive customer enablement.
• Collaboration: A fast-paced environment working alongside industry-leading experts in engineering and marketing.

Travel Time

0% - 25%

Pay Range

We offer a total compensation package that ranks among the best in the industry. It consists of competitive base pay, restricted stock units, and quarterly bonus payments. In addition to these components, our package includes health benefits that begin day one, retirement savings plans, and an industry leading IESPP program with a 6-month look back feature. Find more information about all our benefits at the link below:

Benefits of working at Microchip

The annual base salary range for this position is $107,000 - $226,000.*

• Range is dependent on numerous factors including job location, skills and experience.