Lead Software Architect

Job Description

Role Summary

Bosch XC-NA is seeking a technically skilled and outward-facing Lead Software Architect to help turn strategic vision into structured software architectures that will shape the future of software-defined vehicles and compute platforms. This role reports to the Engineering Technical Officer (ETO) and plays a key role in designing scalable, distributed systems that enable next-generation vehicle intelligence.

You will influence architectural direction across domains, promote technical alignment within cross-functional teams, and engage with external stakeholders—including standards bodies, open source communities, and OEM partners. This role is ideal for an experienced systems thinker who can bridge strategy and execution while fostering collaboration across teams and geographies.

Key Responsibilities

Architectural Leadership & System Design

• Drive the design of modular, distributed software architectures that span in-vehicle compute, middleware, and cloud/edge ecosystems.
• Translate high-level platform strategy into concrete architectural blueprints, considering safety, scalability, reusability, and lifecycle needs.
• Ensure compatibility and integration across ECUs, zone controllers, central compute nodes, and external systems.

Outward-Facing Engagement

• Represent Bosch in key industry standards groups, consortiums, and open source initiatives to align with or influence emerging practices.
• Collaborate with OEMs, Tier 1s, and technology partners to harmonize architectures, validate assumptions, and drive interoperability.
• Identify and assess emerging trends in the ecosystem, such as edge-cloud compute orchestration, open middleware stacks, or API standardization.

Internal Collaboration & Technical Enablement

• Serve as a key interface between business strategy, software engineering, and product/platform management.
• Guide Bosch teams in North America and globally on implementation trade-offs, integration decisions, and architecture evolution.
• Support reuse across programs and regions by defining clear modular boundaries, contracts, and governance.

Open Source & Ecosystem Thinking

• Leverage and contribute to open source platforms and tools where strategically beneficial (e.g., SOAFEE, Eclipse SDV, ROS, etc.).
• Ensure open-source usage aligns with Bosch IP policy and long-term sustainability.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in software/system architecture, including significant contributions to large-scale distributed or embedded systems.
• Deep knowledge of in-vehicle software stacks, middleware frameworks, service architectures, and compute abstraction strategies.
• Familiarity with cloud-native principles and their adaptation in the automotive or real-time systems context.
• Strong communication and alignment skills with cross-functional teams and external collaborators (OEMs, SoC vendors, or Tier 1s).
• Strong collaboration skills: ability to work across hierarchical, functional, and regional boundaries in a global matrix organization.
• Influence without authority: capable of aligning diverse stakeholders through clarity, technical grounding, and respectful negotiation.
• Systems-level thinking: able to consider long-term trade-offs and balance strategic intent with pragmatic constraints.
• Adaptability and curiosity: thrives in evolving environments where priorities shift and innovation is key.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in open source ecosystems or active participation in standards development bodies (e.g., AUTOSAR, SOAFEE, Eclipse Foundation).
• Understanding of zonal architectures, containerization, hypervisors, and real-time OS integration.
• Familiarity with over-the-air update systems, CI/CD pipelines in automotive, and full lifecycle software tooling.