Software Architect

Aptiv; City of Troy (NY); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Aptiv is seeking a Software Architect to lead embedded platform development for robotics and drone systems in the United States. You will define scalable architectures, guide cross-functional teams, and ensure safety-critical and real-time performance requirements are met across Linux and RTOS environments.

The role emphasizes collaboration with product, hardware, and software teams to drive platform roadmaps, establish quality standards, and deliver robust software platforms powering autonomous

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years in embedded software development.
• 3+ years in software architecture or technical leadership.
• Proven experience defining architectures for complex embedded systems.
• Experience with Linux-based embedded OS and RTOS environments.
• Strong C/C++ proficiency.
• Experience with safety standards (ISO 26262, IEC 61508).
• Familiarity with Automotive SPICE or equivalent methodologies.
• Experience with requirements management tools (Polarion, DOORS).

Responsibilities

• Lead software architecture planning for robotics and drone platforms.
• Define scalable, modular architectures and interfaces.
• Collaborate with Agile teams to evolve platform architecture.
• Allocate functionality across components, middleware, and hardware.
• Ensure non-functional requirements like performance and reliability.

Skills

C/C++

Embedded software

Communication

Stakeholder management

V-model development

Systems thinking

Robotics experience

Safety-critical development

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related

Tools

Polarion

DOORS Next

Enterprise Architect

ROS 2

Docker

Gazebo

Isaac Sim

DDS

Job description

Software Architect

About Aptiv

Aptiv is a global technology leader with more than 200,000 employees across 48 countries. We develop advanced software, compute platforms, and intelligent systems that enable autonomous driving, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), connected mobility, and intelligent infrastructure. Aptiv technology is embedded in millions of vehicles worldwide and powers some of the industry's most advanced automotive platforms. As part of our expansion into Robotics and Adjacent Markets, Aptiv is developing scalable software and embedded computing platforms for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), drones, industrial automation, and next-generation intelligent machines. These platforms combine embedded software, sensing, connectivity, autonomy, safety-critical systems, and cloud-connected architectures to enable reliable operation in demanding real-world environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Software Architecture Leadership Lead software architecture planning, design, implementation, and deployment for robotics and drone platforms.
• Define, document, and maintain scalable, modular, and reusable software architectures and interfaces.
• Participate in product/platform planning, requirements definition, and evaluation of architectural alternatives.
• Allocate software functionality across components, middleware, services, and hardware platforms.
• Define and ensure fulfillment of critical non-functional requirements including performance, timing, reliability, and scalability.
• Establish software development standards, coding guidelines, and architecture best practices.
• Review architecture, design, code, open-source usage, and release readiness to ensure quality and compliance.
• Collaborate with Agile teams to evolve platform architecture and maximize software reuse.
• Embedded Software & Platform Engineering Architect software platforms running on embedded microprocessors, microcontrollers, and heterogeneous computing platforms. Support defining resource budgets for CPU utilization, memory, storage, power consumption, bandwidth, and latency. Collaborate with hardware teams to influence processor selection, sensor integration, networking, and platform trade-offs. Support development on Linux and RTOS-based environments. Guide implementation of real-time, deterministic, and safety-relevant software capabilities.
• Systems Engineering, Quality & Customer Engagement Collaborate with systems engineering teams to define customer requirements, use cases, and interface specifications. Work closely with Product Development and Product Strategy teams to define platform roadmaps and feature sets. Work with customers, suppliers, and stakeholders to define requirements, expected system behavior, and platform roadmaps. Support new program pursuits, change requests, estimations, and customer quotations. Establish performance, reliability, maintainability, and scalability metrics. Drive implementation of automated testing, continuous integration, and software quality processes. Support compliance with applicable industry standards and development processes. Develop, analyze, and realize reusable software products and platform capabilities. Support definition of functional requirements and ownership of key non-functional requirements. Align interfaces across internal and external software components and partner integrations. Drive built-in quality through architecture reviews, CI/CD, testing, and quality processes. Support software DFMEA, safety, cybersecurity, and compliance activities in collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in embedded software development.
• 3+ years in a software architecture, technical lead, or principal engineer role.
• Proven experience defining software architectures for complex embedded systems.
• Experience modeling tools such as Enterprise Architect.
• Strong understanding of software engineering principles and embedded hardware/software architectures.
• Experience with embedded processors and platforms from NVIDIA, TI, Qualcomm, NXP, Renesas, AMD, Intel, or similar vendors.
• Experience with Linux-based embedded operating systems and/or RTOS environments.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++.
• Experience driving architecture decisions across multidisciplinary organizations.
• Experience with the V-model development flow.
• Knowledge of functional safety standards and safety-critical development processes, including ISO 26262, IEC 61508 or related standards.
• Familiarity with Automotive SPICE or equivalent structured software development methodologies.
• Experience with requirements management and application lifecycle management tools such as Polarion, IBM DOORS/DOORS Next or equivalent platforms.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in embedded software and system architecture.
• Knowledge of AI/ML, Edge Computing, IoT, or Robotics platforms.
• Experience with robotics, autonomous systems, drones, AMRs/AGVs, industrial automation, or intelligent machines.
• Experience with ROS 2, DDS, robotics middleware, or distributed embedded software architectures.
• Experience integrating camera, radar, lidar, GPS, IMU, ultrasonic, and other sensor technologies.
• Experience with Docker, CI/CD pipelines, DevOps practices, and automated software deployment.
• Familiarity with communication protocols including CAN, Ethernet, TSN, DDS, and similar.
• Experience with low-level software development including SPI, I2C, UART, Ethernet, PCIe, and device drivers.
• Familiarity with simulation and virtual validation environments such as Gazebo, Isaac Sim, AirSim, CARLA, or equivalent platforms.

Traits We Value

• Strong systems-thinking mindset with the ability to optimize across hardware and software boundaries.
• Passion for robotics, drones, autonomous systems, and embedded technologies.
• Ability to balance long-term architectural vision with pragmatic product delivery.
• Ownership mentality with a strong bias toward execution.
• Collaborative leadership style with a passion for mentorship and technical excellence.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to navigate ambiguity.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Desire to build scalable software platforms that power the next generation of autonomous and intelligent machines.

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