Aptiv · 1 day ago
Software Architect, Robotics & Drones
Boston, MA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$170K/yr - $200K/yr
8+ years expAptiv is a global technology company focused on developing innovative software and hardware for autonomous driving and smart cities. They are seeking a Robotics Software Architect to define the software architecture for Autonomous Mobile Robots and Drones, ensuring safety and connectivity across platforms while working closely with various teams to implement scalable solutions.
AutomotiveAutonomous VehiclesElectric VehicleRide SharingSoftware
Hiring Manager
Patrick Good Jr.
Responsibilities
Own the overall software architecture for AMR and drone platforms, from sensors to perception, localization, planning, safety, and cloud connectivity
Define platform architecture based on ROS 2 / middleware, real-time OS, and Linux, ensuring modularity, scalability, and re-use across programs
Partition functionality across onboard compute (SoCs, MCUs) and offboard services, including edge and cloud where appropriate
Define and maintain clear APIs and interfaces between perception, mapping/localization, planning, control, safety, and fleet/enterprise systems
Lead architecture reviews, design decisions, and trade-offs (safety vs. performance, cost vs. capability, CPU/GPU/NPU offload, etc.)
Provide technical direction to software teams implementing autonomy, perception, and safety features
Mentor senior and junior engineers on architectural best practices, coding standards, and design patterns for robotics systems
Collaborate with embedded compute teams to map robotics workloads to heterogeneous compute (CPU, GPU, NPU, DSP)
Architect the software stack to meet relevant functional safety standards (e.g., IEC 61508, ISO 13849, ISO 10218, ISO 3691-4, ISO 12100 – as applicable to AMRs/industrial robots)
Define safety concepts and software patterns (safety monitors, watchdogs, safe states, redundancy, diagnostics)
Collaborate with safety engineering to develop and maintain safety cases, hazard analyses, and FMEAs for software
Drive architectural strategies for robustness, resiliency, observability, and over-the-air updates
Define how simulation (e.g., Gazebo / Isaac / Webots / custom) fits into the development flow – from algorithm prototyping to regression and scenario testing
Work with DevOps/Tools teams to shape CI/CD pipelines, testing strategy (HIL/SIL/MIL), and performance benchmarks for robotics software
Evaluate and integrate open-source components and third-party SDKs, ensuring license compliance, maintainability, and fit to architecture
Translate customer/partner requirements into technical architecture and system requirements
Support PoCs and demos with partners (e.g., AMR OEMs, drone OEMs, industrial automation vendors), ensuring architectural alignment with the long-term platform vision
Contribute to technical roadmaps, build-vs-buy decisions, and ecosystem strategy (ROS 2 distributions, middleware vendors, safety toolchains, etc.)
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or equivalent practical experience
8+ years of experience in robotics or embedded software development, with at least 3–5 years in a software architect / technical lead capacity
Hands-on experience building and deploying software for real robots (AMRs, AGVs, drones, industrial arms, or similar)
Deep understanding of ROS / ROS 2, including nodes, topics, services, actions, parameters, launch, and packages
Experience designing systems involving several of the following: Perception (vision, lidar, radar, depth, multi-sensor fusion), Mapping & Localization (2D/3D SLAM, VIO, VSLAM, VO, sensor fusion), Planning & Navigation (global and local planners, obstacle avoidance, trajectory generation), Real-time control loops and low-level robot interfaces (motor drivers, IMUs, encoders, etc.)
Solid understanding of Linux-based systems, containerization (Docker/Podman), and networked middleware (DDS or similar)
Proven ability to write clear architecture documents, sequence diagrams, and interface definitions consumable by cross-functional teams
Preferred
Experience with industrial / mobile robotics in logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, or similar environments
Familiarity with functional safety and safety development lifecycles (IEC 61508, ISO 13849, ISO 26262 or related standards)
Experience with heterogeneous compute (e.g., Qualcomm, NVIDIA, TI, Renesas, or similar SoCs) and hardware acceleration of perception/ML workloads
Prior work with simulation environments (Gazebo, Isaac Sim, Webots, custom in-house) and scenario-based testing
Understanding of wireless connectivity and edge offload (Wi-Fi, 5G, TSN, low-latency links) in robotics systems
Exposure to cloud integration (telemetry, remote monitoring, OTA updates, digital twins, data pipelines)
Experience in start-up or incubation environments, building something from scratch under ambiguity
Company
Aptiv
Aptiv is a global technology company that develops safer, greener, and more connected solutions, which enable the future of mobility.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
Aptiv has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (85)
2024 (185)
2023 (148)
2022 (197)
2021 (159)
2020 (97)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$2.97BKey Investors
US Department of Energy
2024-09-09Post Ipo Debt· $2.15B
2024-06-04Post Ipo Debt· $816.13M
2017-12-04IPO
Leadership Team
Rodney O'Neal
CEO & President
Varun Laroyia
EVP & Chief Financial Officer
Recent News
Morningstar.com
2026-01-09
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