Senior Software Architect (m/f/d)

Smartmicro; Braunschweig; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Modern facilities

Permanent employment

Training opportunities

EV charging facilities

Team events

Job summary

smartmicro, headquartered in Braunschweig, is seeking a Software Architect to lead the technical design and strategy for our software portfolio, spanning embedded firmware and cloud interfaces.

You will shape architectural roadmaps, drive high-level system design, and mentor the team, working with Product Owners and engineers in a hybrid setup near Braunschweig.

Proficiency in C/C++, embedded Linux, RTOS, and IPC is required; German language skills are a plus.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Proven software architecture leadership experience (Architect/Principal Engineer).
• Extensive C/C++ development on complex hardware-oriented software.
• Experience with embedded Linux (Yocto/buildroot).
• Strong knowledge of RTOS (FreeRTOS, VxWorks, ThreadX, PikeOS, QNX).
• Experience with IPC and distributed systems.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• German language skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain an architectural roadmap for software products.
• Lead high-level design of embedded firmware, edge device, and cloud interfaces.
• Provide technical leadership and governance.
• Standardize practices, patterns, and core concepts.
• Collaborate with Product Owners and Engineers to translate requirements into scalable solutions.
• Prototype and evaluate new technologies.
• Report to the Embedded Department Manager.

Skills

C/C++ development

Embedded systems

RTOS

Linux/Yocto/Buildroot

IPC & distributed systems

Education

Master's degree in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Yocto/Buildroot

ARM-based platforms

Job description

Introduction

We are smartmicro, the leading specialist in high-performance automotive and traffic radar- and radar/camera hybrid sensor technology. We design, develop and manufacture high-tech sensors for autonomous driving, intelligent traffic infrastructure and smart cities. Our mission is to make roads safer, enable autonomous driving in all-weather scenarios, optimize traffic flow for reduced travel times and enable greener, smarter cities.

We are a German company with international presence in the UK and in the US, while we are headquartered in Braunschweig for design, development and production.

We make the future of mobility a reality.

We are looking for an visionary and experienced Software Architect to lead the technical design and strategy for our entire software portfolio.

Your Tasks

• Software Architecture: Define and maintain a comprehensive architectural roadmap for smartmicro's software products, ensuring alignment with business objectives and long-term technical vision
• System Design: Lead the high-level design of our software systems, including embedded firmware on bare metal and Linux-based platforms, the COM HUB edge device, and cloud interfaces
• Technical Leadership: Act as the go-to expert for architectural questions and challenges
• Standardization & Best Practices: Establish and enforce technical standards, design patterns, and best practices across the organization - This includes defining and governing core architectural concepts like communication datagrams and interface descriptions
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Product Owners, Software Engineers, Group Leads to translate requirements into robust and scalable technical solutions
• Prototyping & Evaluation: Evaluate, prototype, and recommend new technologies, tools, and frameworks to keep our products at the cutting edge
• Direct report to the manager of the embedded department

Your Strengths

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• Proven experience in software development, with a significant portion in a Software Architect, Principal Engineer, or similar technical leadership role
• Extensive hands-on experience in C or C++ development for complex systems and hardware-oriented software, Python could be required for automation and scripting
• Deep expertise in designing software for embedded systems, including both baremetal and embedded Linux (e.g., Yocto, buildroot) environments
• Strong understanding of computer architecture, real-time operating systems, memory management, and hardware abstraction layers
• Proficiency in designing and implementing inter-process communication (IPC) and distributed systems
• Expert knowledge of specific RTOS environments such as FreeRTOS, VxWorks, ThreadX, PikeOS or QNX
• Experience with ARM-based platforms, microcontrollers from NXP and TI and variety communication protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP, MQTT, CAN, REST APIs, Ethernet, I2C and SPI)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities
• Good German language skills would be a plus

What you can expect from us

• Innovation: latest technology, innovation and rapid development cycles, excellent work- and test equipment
• Pleasant working environment: informal culture, motivated teams, short communication channels, room for active participation
• Future-oriented workplace: modern buildings, offices and labs, permanent employment and individual training opportunities
• Attractive location: located directly next to the highway, direct bus stop at our facilities, parking facilities for cars and bikes, free charging of electric vehicles
• Flexible working: hybrid working (4 days office presence per week)
• Activities: team events, gym membership and more.
• Other benefits