Overview
Software Architect - Systems
ABOUT WIND RIVER
Wind River is a global leader in delivering software for mission-critical intelligent systems. For more than four decades, the company has been an innovator and pioneer, powering billions of systems that require the highest levels of security, safety, and reliability.
Wind River helps customers across automotive, aerospace, defense, industrial, medical, and telecommunications industries solve complex technology challenges on their journey toward the new intelligent machine economy. The company’s software powers generation after generation of the safest, most secure systems in the world. Examples include playing a key role in NASA space missions such as Artemis I, the James Webb Space Telescope, and multiple Mars rovers. We’ve achieved recent 5G milestones including the world’s first successful 5G data session with Verizon and building one of the largest Open RAN networks in the world with Vodafone.
The company has received industry recognition for its technology innovation and leadership, and for its workplace culture, including global Great Place to Work certification and being named a “Top Workplace” for ten consecutive years. If you want to be part of a unique culture where the lived experience is based on our cultural attributes of growth mindset, customer-focus, and diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging, come join us and help advance the future software defined world.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
The Software Architect - Systems is a senior technical leadership role responsible for defining and driving the overall system architecture for embedded Linux platforms. This role combines deep technical expertise with strategic thinking to design scalable, maintainable, and high-quality systems that meet customer requirements and business objectives.
In your daily job you will:
System Architecture Design
Define overall system architecture and component structure
Design APIs, interfaces, and integration points between components
Create architectural diagrams, specifications, and documentation
Ensure architecture supports scalability, performance, and maintainability
Address non-functional requirements (security, reliability, safety, performance)
Technical Strategy & Vision
Develop technical vision and roadmap for system evolution
Evaluate and select technologies, frameworks, and tools
Define technical standards and guidelines organization-wide
Plan for long-term technical debt reduction and system improvements
Balance innovation with stability and risk management
Architecture Governance
Review and approve architectural decisions and designs
Ensure consistency and alignment across teams and projects
Identify and resolve architectural conflicts and issues
Establish architecture review processes and best practices
Maintain architecture documentation and knowledge base
Technical Leadership
Provide technical guidance to engineering teams
Mentor engineers on architecture and design principles
Lead architecture discussions and technical reviews
Collaborate with technical leads and senior engineers
Drive technical excellence and quality standards
HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE
Key skills and competencies for succeeding in this role are:
Bachelor degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field
10+ years of software engineering experience
7+ years of experience with embedded Linux or systems software
5+ years in architecture or senior technical design roles
Experience designing and architecting complex, large-scale systems
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis - without requirement for any type of visa sponsorship/transfer, now, or at any time in future. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
Preferred location is Austin, TX. Candidates based in San Diego, CA, Walnut Creek, CA, or Boston, MA will also be considered. Must be able to work in a hybrid/on-site environment as required.
Technical Skills
Expert-level understanding of system architecture and design
Deep knowledge of Linux kernel and user space architecture
Strong experience with embedded systems and real-time systems
Proficiency in C/C++ and systems programming
Knowledge of software design patterns and architectural patterns
Experience with build systems, toolchains, and development tools
Architecture & Design Skills
System architecture and component design
API design and interface specification
Design documentation and technical writing
Architecture evaluation and trade-off analysis
Design pattern application and best practices
Domain Expertise
Embedded Linux platform architecture
Linux kernel architecture and subsystems
User space application architecture
Build system and toolchain architecture
Hardware abstraction and BSP architecture
System integration and component interaction
Leadership & Communication
Strong technical communication and presentation skills
Ability to influence and drive architectural decisions
Experience mentoring engineers on architecture
Ability to translate business requirements into technical architecture
Collaboration and consensus-building skills
Preferred Qualifications
Architecture certifications (TOGAF, etc.)
Extensive Yocto Project experience
Experience with safety-critical systems (ISO 26262, DO-178C, etc.)
Knowledge of formal methods and verification
Open source architecture contributions
Experience in automotive, aerospace, or industrial sectors
Published technical papers or architecture articles
BENEFITS
Hybrid work model for workplace flexibility
Comprehensive health, dental, and life insurance
Short and long-term disability coverage
RRSP matching for financial security
Flexible time-off policies for work-life balance
Employee assistance program for mental well-being
Learning benefits, including a LinkedIn Learning subscription and seminars
Join us at Wind River, where we're not just shaping technology; we're shaping the future of a safer, more connected world. Your journey to make a meaningful impact begins here.
Wind River is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity. We prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation or any other legally protected status.
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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.