Software Architect – Robotics & Drones
Lead software architecture for autonomous robotics, drones, and industrial automation platforms using C/C++, Linux/RTOS, ROS 2, and embedded processors.
- Compensation
- Not disclosed
- Location
- Troy, MI - USA
- Work setup
- Not specified
- Seniority
- Principal
- Employment
- Not specified
- Experience
- 3+ years
- Category
- Architecture
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- Bachelor's degree in CS, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, EE, Robotics, or related discipline
- 8+ years of embedded software development experience
- 3+ years in a software architecture, technical lead, or principal engineer role
- Proven experience defining software architectures for complex embedded systems
- Experience with modeling tools such as Enterprise Architect
- Experience with embedded processors from NVIDIA, Qualcomm, NXP, Renesas, AMD, Intel, TI, or similar
- Experience with Linux-based embedded OS and/or RTOS environments
- Strong proficiency in C/C++
- Experience driving architecture decisions across multidisciplinary organizations
- Experience with the V-model development flow
Nice to have
- 12+ years in embedded software and system architecture
- Knowledge of AI/ML, Edge Computing, IoT, or Robotics platforms
- Experience with robotics, autonomous systems, drones, AMRs/AGVs, or industrial automation
- Experience with ROS 2, DDS, robotics middleware, or distributed embedded architectures
- Experience integrating camera, radar, lidar, GPS, IMU, ultrasonic sensors
- Experience with Docker, CI/CD pipelines, and DevOps practices
- Familiarity with CAN, Ethernet, TSN, DDS, and similar protocols
- Low-level software development: SPI, I2C, UART, Ethernet, PCIe, device drivers
- Familiarity with Gazebo, Isaac Sim, AirSim, CARLA, or equivalent simulation platforms
- Knowledge of ISO 26262, IEC 61508, or related functional safety standards
- Familiarity with Automotive SPICE, AUTOSAR, or equivalent methodologies
Full description
Software Architect – Robotics & DronesAbout 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.