Software Architect - Systems

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.