System Middleware Architect

European Tech Recruit; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

European Tech Recruit is seeking an accomplished System Middleware Architect to shape the next generation of its operating system platform. You will own the middleware architecture and drive the long-term technical roadmap across smartphones, PCs and connected devices.

The role requires deep OS architecture knowledge, proven ability to resolve complex performance and stability challenges, and strong collaboration with multiple engineering teams to turn emerging trends into actionable roadmaps.

Qualifications

• Significant commercial experience designing or evolving middleware architectures.
• Strong expertise in at least one major operating system platform (Android, iOS, Fuchsia, ChromeOS or similar).
• Deep knowledge of operating system architecture, implementation principles and system-level development.
• Proven track record solving architecture, compatibility, performance or stability challenges.
• Ability to design scalable, reliable and maintainable system software platforms.
• Strong communication, coordination and stakeholder-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Own the middleware architecture and long-term technical roadmap for the OS middleware layer.
• Develop a unified platform capable of supporting multiple application ecosystems.
• Guide the evolution of middleware frameworks, services and components.
• Identify architectural risks, dependencies and opportunities to simplify the platform.
• Ensure consistent behaviour, compatibility and performance across devices and usage scenarios.
• Coordinate architectural changes across multiple engineering teams from concept to implementation.

Skills

Middleware architecture

System architecture

Stakeholder management

Cross-team coordination

Communication skills

Education

Computer science background

Job description

We are supporting a technology organisation seeking an accomplished System Middleware Architect to shape the next generation of its operating system platform.

This is a senior, highly influential role focused on creating a unified middleware architecture that supports multiple application ecosystems and device categories. You will set the architectural direction, address complex platform-level challenges and establish the foundations for a scalable, stable and high-performance operating system over the next two to three years.

The Role

You will take ownership of the middleware architecture and its long-term technical roadmap. Working across engineering teams and stakeholders, you will guide major platform decisions while balancing product priorities, technical debt and future capability.

A key objective will be to create a consistent middleware layer capable of operating effectively across smartphones, PCs and other connected devices. You will also lead investigations into demanding system-level issues, including memory usage, startup performance, runtime efficiency, compatibility and stability.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the architecture and technical roadmap for the operating system middleware layer.
• Develop a unified platform capable of supporting multiple application ecosystems.
• Guide the evolution of middleware frameworks, services and supporting components.
• Identify architectural risks, dependencies and opportunities to simplify or consolidate the platform.
• Ensure consistent behaviour, compatibility and performance across different devices and usage scenarios.
• Resolve complex system-level stability and performance problems.
• Improve memory management, application and service startup times, runtime efficiency and scalability.
• Establish architecture principles, engineering standards and technical specifications.
• Introduce effective automated testing, validation and quality-assurance practices.
• Improve the maintainability and consistency of middleware components.
• Evaluate developments in operating systems, middleware technologies and relevant academic research.
• Turn emerging technology trends into practical roadmaps and incubation initiatives.
• Coordinate architectural change across multiple engineering teams, from initial concept through implementation.

What We're Looking For

• Significant commercial experience designing or evolving middleware architectures.
• Strong expertise in at least one major operating system platform, such as Android, iOS, Fuchsia, ChromeOS or another modern mobile, desktop or embedded OS.
• Deep knowledge of operating system architecture, implementation principles and system-level application development.
• A track record of solving substantial architecture, compatibility, performance or stability challenges.
• The ability to design scalable, reliable and maintainable system software platforms.
• Strong communication, coordination and stakeholder-management skills.
• Experience driving complex technical decisions across multiple teams.
• An academic or professional background in computer science, software engineering, electronics, communications or a related technical discipline.

Particularly Relevant Experience

The following experience would be advantageous:

• Designing middleware for mobile, desktop, embedded or multi-device environments.
• Working with framework services, inter-process communication, runtime systems, lifecycle management or system services.
• Optimising memory consumption, startup performance or system compatibility.
• Establishing architecture governance, engineering standards or platform specifications.
• Developing automated testing and quality systems for low-level platform software.
• Coordinating large-scale operating system initiatives across several engineering groups.
• Translating emerging technologies into medium-term architectural strategy.

This is an opportunity to influence the foundations of a next-generation operating system and solve complex challenges at genuine platform scale.