Lead Edge Architect

ProActive; United States; Remote; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Proactive Global seeks a Lead Edge Architect to own the NVIDIA Thor/IGX-based edge compute platform for multi-sensor autonomy. You will define sensor I/O, storage and enclosure, and drive the Linux BSP, kernel drivers and JetPack/L4T customization.

You will design middleware with ROS 2 Jazzy and Isaac ROS, implement precise time synchronization across GNSS/UTC, PPS and PTP, and enable onboard GPU inference within thermal limits. Remote diagnostics and secure data handling are envisioned.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in embedded or edge robotics/industrial systems.
• Hands-on with NVIDIA Jetson/IGX Thor platforms.
• Experience with Linux BSP, kernel drivers and JetPack/L4T.
• Proficient in ROS 2 deployment, DDS and rosbag2.
• Multi-sensor time sync and high-throughput data logging.

Responsibilities

• Define edge hardware architecture around NVIDIA Thor modules.
• Own low-level software stack: Linux BSP, kernel, drivers.
• Design middleware with ROS 2 Jazzy and Isaac ROS.
• Ensure time sync across sensors and high-throughput logging.
• Unify perception, data reduction and autonomy services.
• Enable onboard GPU inference within compute/thermal limits.
• Implement fleet operations: remote enable/disable and secure data handling.
• Decide whether data logging and autonomy compute share hardware.

Skills

Embedded/edge systems

Jetson/IGX Thor

Linux kernel/driver

ROS 2 production

Time sync multi-sensor

C++

DDS tuning

Tools

JetPack/L4T

Linux BSP

NVIDIA drivers

ROS 2/Jazzy

Isaac ROS

CAN / Ethernet

Job description

Lead Edge Architect in the perception and edge function, covering the on-machine compute platform for data collection and autonomy. You will own the architecture of the edge compute platform on the machines, from the NVIDIA Thor-class module and its I/O up through the Linux BSP, drivers and middleware, to the services that perception, data collection and autonomy run on. The platform is being redesigned as the fleet grows to 500+ machines and beyond. It handles multiple cameras, LiDARs, radars, GNSS and IMUs at terabyte scale per machine, in dusty, high-vibration conditions. This is a hands‑on edge computing role: it needs direct experience with NVIDIA edge hardware and its software stack, not general cloud or IoT architecture.

Responsibilities

• Define the edge hardware architecture around NVIDIA Thor-class modules (Jetson AGX Thor and IGX Thor): sensor I/O, camera and network interfaces, storage, power and enclosure.
• Own the low-level software stack: NVIDIA Linux BSP, kernel and drivers, device tree, boot and over-the-air updates.
• Design the middleware layer on ROS 2 (Jazzy) and NVIDIA Isaac ROS, including the migration to ROS 2.
• Set up precise time sync across all sensors (GNSS/UTC, PPS, PTP) and high-throughput logging that doesn't drop data.
• Give perception, data reduction and autonomy services a common driver and service layer, so sensors can be added or removed without redesign.
• Make the platform run onboard GPU inference (detection, segmentation, fusion) and event-triggered capture within compute and thermal limits.
• Build in fleet operations: remote enable and disable, health and diagnostics reporting, and secure, encrypted data handling.
• Decide with the robotics team whether data logging and autonomy compute share hardware or stay separate.

Requirements for the candidate

• 8+ years in embedded or edge systems for robotics, autonomous vehicles or industrial machines.
• Direct, hands‑on experience with NVIDIA Jetson or IGX platforms, ideally the Thor generation.
• Hardware design and I/O integration: camera interfaces (GMSL, MIPI CSI), automotive Ethernet, CAN, and storage throughput.
• Linux BSP, kernel and NVIDIA driver development and customization (JetPack, L4T).
• The NVIDIA software ecosystem: CUDA, TensorRT, DeepStream and Isaac ROS.
• ROS 2 at production quality: nodes, DDS tuning, rosbag2 or MCAP logging, and performance under high sensor load.
• Time sync and multi-sensor integration for cameras, LiDAR, radar and GNSS/IMU.

Nice-to-have

• Ruggedized deployments: off-road, construction, mining or agriculture machines.
• Sensor calibration and online monitoring of calibration health.
• Edge data reduction, compression and encryption for large sensor fleets.
• Fleet device management, OTA and remote diagnostics at hundreds to thousands of units.
• Safety-related embedded development (ISO 26262 or ISO 13849).

Skills: NVIDIA Jetson / IGX (Thor), JetPack / L4T, Linux BSP and kernel drivers, CUDA, TensorRT, DeepStream, Isaac ROS, ROS 2 (Jazzy), DDS, GMSL / MIPI CSI, CAN, PTP / PPS time sync, C++.

Proactive Global is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.