Software Architect – Robotics & Drones

Aptiv PLC; Troy, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Aptiv is seeking a Software Architect for Robotics & Drones to lead architecture across embedded platforms and autonomous systems. You will shape software platforms, interfaces, and deployment strategies for AMRs, drones, and intelligent machines, collaborating with cross‑functional teams on performance, safety, and scalability.

Responsibilities include guiding design decisions, aligning roadmaps with product strategy, and driving automated testing, quality processes, and cross‑domain

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related field.
• 8+ years in embedded software development.
• 3+ years in software architecture/lead roles.
• Proven experience defining architectures for complex embedded systems.
• Experience with ROS 2, DDS, and robotics middleware.

Responsibilities

• Lead software architecture planning, design, and deployment for robotics and drone platforms.
• Define scalable, modular software architectures and interfaces.
• Collaborate with Agile teams to maximize software reuse.
• Guide embedded software platforms and Linux/RTOS environments.
• Collaborate with hardware teams on platform trade-offs and sensor integration.
• Oversee CI/CD, automated testing, and software quality processes.

Skills

C/C++

Embedded software

Linux/RTOS

Architectural leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Engineering/Robotics

Tools

ROS 2

DDS

Enterprise Architect

Docker

CI/CD

Job description

Software Architect – Robotics & Drones

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.

As a Software Architect – Robotics & Drones, you will provide technical leadership for the design, development, and deployment of next‑generation software platforms that power autonomous robotic systems. You will be responsible for defining software architecture, collaborating with the development teams, and ensuring scalable, reliable, safe, and high‑performance solutions across robotics, drone, and intelligent machine platforms. You will work at the intersection of embedded software, robotics, AI/ML, autonomy, sensing, and systems engineering, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams spanning software, hardware, systems, product strategy, and customer engineering organizations.

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.

Robotics & Autonomous Systems

• Architect software platforms supporting AMRs, drones and industrial automation systems.
• Collaborate with robotics teams developing perception, localization, navigation, planning, mission management, and control software.
• Design middleware and communication frameworks leveraging technologies such as ROS 2, DDS, Ethernet, and service‑oriented architectures.
• Define interfaces between sensors, actuators, embedded controllers, edge devices, and cloud services.
• Support integration of cameras, radar, lidar, ultrasonic sensors, GPS/GNSS, IMUs, and other sensing technologies.
• Drive architectural decisions for distributed and heterogeneous robotic systems.

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, Qualcomm, NXP, Renesas, AMD, Intel, TI, 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.
• 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.
• Knowledge of functional safety standards and safety‑critical development processes, including ISO 26262, IEC 61508 or related standards.
• Familiarity with Automotive SPICE, AUTOSAR, or equivalent structured software development methodologies.

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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Aptiv is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.