Director, System Software - AV Platform
$320,000–$488,750 year
On-site · Santa Clara, California, United States
Job Summary
Director-level leadership role overseeing system software for automotive compute platforms. Leads an engineering organization responsible for high-performance, safety-critical software across operating systems, virtualization, middleware, drivers, runtime frameworks, security, and platform services. Partners with silicon, architecture, AI, automotive product teams, and OEM/Tier1 partners to align software capabilities with customer and market requirements while ensuring compliance with automotive standards (ISO 26262, AUTOSAR, ASPICE) and safety certification processes. Owns software lifecycle processes from planning through release management and long-term support, mentors leaders, and fosters a culture of innovation, accountability, inclusion, and technical excellence. Requires a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience), 15+ years in systems software/distributed embedded platforms, and 8+ years of engineering leadership leading large, geographically distributed teams; deep expertise in embedded Linux/RTOS, virtualization, device drivers/kernel development, automotive middleware, and platform services; strong understanding of automotive development practices and cybersecurity frameworks. Preferred: experience with autonomous driving/ADAS, automotive OEM/Tier1 collaboration, cloud-connected automotive software ecosystems, and leading globally distributed teams through rapid growth.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- 15+ years of experience in systems software, embedded systems, platform software, or operating systems development
- 8+ years of engineering leadership experience
- Deep expertise in embedded Linux/RTOS, virtualization, device drivers, automotive middleware, and platform services
- Understanding of ISO 26262, AUTOSAR, ASPICE, cybersecurity frameworks
- Track record of delivering complex software platforms from concept to production
- Excellent communication and executive-management abilities
Desired Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field or equivalent experience
- 15+ years of overall experience in systems software, embedded systems, platform software, or operating systems development
- 8+ years of engineering leadership experience running large, geographically distributed software teams
- Deep expertise in embedded Linux or RTOS platforms, hypervisors and virtualization technologies, device drivers and kernel development, automotive middleware, and platform services
- Strong understanding of automotive software development practices and standards including ISO 26262, AUTOSAR, ASPICE, and cybersecurity frameworks
- Proven track record of delivering complex software platforms from concept through production
- Excellent communication, organizational, and executive partner management skills
Apply with one swipe on Sorce. We auto-fill applications and apply on your behalf — no cover letters, no 40-minute forms.
Hiring someone like this?
Get your role in front of qualified candidates on Sorce.