Edge & Physical AI SW Product Manager/Director

NXP Semiconductors; Chandler (AZ); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

NXP Semiconductors seeks an experienced AI product manager to own the NPU software roadmap spanning the full stack, including compiler, runtime, SDKs, developer APIs, and model optimization. You will drive cradle-to-grave eIQ integration, align with GTM and engineering, and guide OSS collaboration with MLIR/TVM/ONNX Runtime ecosystems.

You will lead a backlog across CPUs, GPUs, and accelerators, set performance targets, and shape enablement for Day 0 model support and industry-wide adoption in

Qualifications

• 8+ years in AI product management for software, developer tools, or AI/ML infrastructure.
• Experience defining a software product roadmap and developer-facing APIs.
• Familiarity with compiler toolchains and model deployment workflows.
• Track record in open-source or partner ecosystem strategy.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain AI product roadmap across AI/ML compiler pipeline, tools, runtime, SDKs, and APIs.
• Own cradle-to-grave strategy for NXP eIQ integration and Day 0 model support planning.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with GTM, engineering, and ISV partners.
• Steer open-source contributions and model zoo curation (MLIR/TVM/ONNX paths).
• Drive hardware/software enablement and developer experience end-to-end.
• Manage competitive benchmarking and ensure alignment with automotive edge deployment.

Skills

AI product management

Roadmap development

Backlog management

Technical communication

Open-source ecosystem strategy

MLIR / TVM / ONNX Runtime

Model quantization experience

Embedded/executable stack knowledge

Education

MBA or advanced degree in CS/EE

Tools

MLIR

TVM

ONNX Runtime

TensorRT

Job description

Job Responsibilities

Define and maintain the NPU software product roadmap spanning the full stack: AI/ML compiler pipeline, AI/ML tools for optimization (conversion, quantization, pruning), runtime and execution engine, SDK and developer APIs, model optimization, workflow and repository, and existing eIQ platform integration. Own and create a scalable platform/toolkit to support newer model architectures (CNNs, LLMs, ViTs, VLMs) and enable a path to Day 0 model support in the long run. Maintain familiarity with supported architectures and operators, align customer expectations with available model support, and work with Engineering to close identified gaps. Engage closely with GTM to help prioritize industry verticals, segments, and use cases to create an enablement strategy for all business units. Enable system-level solutions through pre-sales and sales strategy and support. Define an integrated compiler strategy and transition all NXP AI products to a unified AI workflow across business units. Continuously monitor AI market developments and trends (compilers, operators, frameworks, models, microservices, skills, and agents) and build or refine NXP’s AI strategy. Drive the eIQ integration strategy—integrate the current- and next-generation Neutron compiler and SDK within NXP's eIQ developer environment and define NPU support for the existing MPU/MCU developer base. Create a cradle-to-grave plan for features and components during eIQ integration. Develop use-case-driven software enablement and help prioritize, reset, and reconcile existing features to deliver a holistic user experience. Own the upstream open-source compiler integration strategy—define NXP's participation and contribution roadmap for Apache TVM, MLIR/LLVM, ONNX Runtime, and PyTorch/TensorFlow export paths. Define and maintain the model zoo or an equivalent—curate, compile, quantize, and benchmark frontier models (LLaMA variants, YOLO generations, Whisper, Phi, Gemma, custom vision transformers) on Ara NPU and publish validated results. Own the developer experience end-to-end: SDK installation, model import workflow, compilation, profiling, debugging, and deployment—define and track developer adoption funnel metrics. Manage framework and ISV partner relationships—PyTorch, TensorFlow, Hugging Face, ONNX Runtime, and key vertical AI software partners; drive NPU support contributions and co-marketing. Support external software integrations and licensing partnerships. Run beta and early-access programs with strategic developer customers; translate feedback into prioritized engineering requirements. Define software versioning policy, backward compatibility commitments, and long-term support (LTS) release strategy. Own competitive benchmarking of model coverage against Qualcomm AI Hub, DeepX, Axelera Metis SDK, and Arm NN/ExecuTorch while preserving software ease of use. Maintain a working knowledge of firmware and PCIe and USB drivers. undefined Develop end-to-end system software solutions and demonstration platforms for hardware and software developers at industry events and conferences.

Job Qualifications

8+ years of AI product management experience in software, developer tools, or AI/ML infrastructure, with direct ownership of a software product roadmap and developer-facing API surface. Strong understanding of the inference model deployment pipeline—training frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow), model exchange formats (ONNX, TFLite), and inference runtime environments. Familiarity with compiler toolchain concepts: graph optimization, operator fusion, quantization, and code generation—sufficient to write actionable requirements and evaluate engineering tradeoffs. Experience defining and tracking developer adoption metrics—SDK downloads, model compilations, active deployments, and support ticket analysis. Track record of driving open-source or partner ecosystem strategy—upstream contributions, ISV enablement, or developer community programs. Strong prioritization discipline—experience managing a large backlog across multiple engineering teams with competing priorities. Excellent technical communication skills; able to write a developer-facing API specification and an executive strategy memo in the same week. Good to have: Direct experience with MLIR, TVM, ONNX Runtime, or other open-source ML compiler frameworks. Hands-on experience with model quantization—INT8/INT4/FP16, calibration workflows, and accuracy validation. Background in NPU, GPU, or inference accelerator software stacks—Qualcomm SNPE/QNN, Hailo Dataflow Compiler, TensorRT, Core ML, or equivalent. Experience with heterogeneous execution environments—managing workload dispatch across CPU, GPU, and dedicated accelerators. Familiarity with embedded Linux, Android, or RTOS software environments for edge deployment. Understanding of automotive software standards, including AUTOSAR and ASPICE, as well as functional safety and security, is a plus for MCU and MPU alignment. MBA or advanced degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related discipline.

More Information About NXP

More information about NXP in the United States... NXP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer regardless of age, color, national origin, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, status as a disabled veteran and/or veteran of the Vietnam Era or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, NXP will provide reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified disabled individuals.

Company Mission

NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ: NXPI) enables a smarter, safer, and more sustainable world through innovation. As the world leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, NXP is pushing boundaries in the automotive, industrial & IoT, mobile, and communication infrastructure markets.

Learn More

For more information, visit www.nxp.com Bright Minds. Bright Futures. We believe that a key component to growing our business is to develop our people. To enable you to grow your career at NXP, we offer online and offline learning opportunities to help you develop some of your core and professional skills.

Commitment

Commitment At NXP. We recognize NXP is a powerful change agent as we continue to deliver innovative solutions that advance a more sustainable future. We remain steadfast in our commitment to sustainability and making measurable year-on-year progress. Also, we aim to create an inclusive work environment and we will not tolerate racism, discrimination or harassment of any kind. We have programs in place focused on diversity, inclusion and equality.