Software Architect - Systems

October 31, 2026

Your Role

Wind River, An Aptiv Company, is seeking a Software Architect - Systems to define and drive the overall system architecture for embedded Linux platforms. This is a unique opportunity to combine deep technical expertise with strategic leadership to design scalable, maintainable, secure, and high-quality systems for mission-critical intelligent applications.

You will define system architecture, technical direction, interfaces, and engineering standards while guiding teams through complex architectural decisions. You will collaborate with senior engineers and cross-functional teams to translate business and customer requirements into robust technical solutions and drive the long-term evolution of Wind River's embedded Linux platforms.

Roles and Responsibilities

Define overall system architecture and component structure for embedded Linux platforms, including APIs, interfaces, integration points, hardware abstraction, and BSP architecture.
Design scalable, maintainable, secure, reliable, and high-performance solutions that address functional and non-functional requirements.
Develop the technical vision and roadmap for system evolution, evaluating technologies, frameworks, tools, architectural trade-offs, technical debt, and long-term improvements.
Create and maintain architectural diagrams, specifications, technical documentation, standards, guidelines, and design best practices.
Review architectural decisions and designs to ensure consistency and alignment across engineering teams and projects, resolving architectural conflicts and complex technical issues.
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineering teams, leading architecture discussions, technical reviews, and design and code reviews.
Collaborate with technical leads, senior engineers, and cross-functional stakeholders to translate customer and business requirements into effective system architectures.
Drive technical excellence through architecture governance, design standards, continuous improvement, and a balanced approach to innovation, stability, performance, and risk.

Your Background

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, with 10+ years of software engineering experience, including 7+ years with embedded Linux or systems software and 5+ years in architecture or senior technical design roles.
Expert-level understanding of system architecture and design, with experience architecting complex, large-scale systems and defining component structures, APIs, interfaces, and integration strategies.
Deep knowledge of Linux kernel and user space architecture, embedded and real-time systems, hardware abstraction, BSP architecture, system integration, build systems, toolchains, and development tools.
Strong proficiency in C/C++ and systems programming, with knowledge of software design patterns, architectural patterns, architecture evaluation, and technical trade-off analysis.
Strong technical communication, presentation, and technical-writing skills, with demonstrated ability to influence architectural decisions, mentor engineers, build consensus, and translate business requirements into technical architecture.
Architecture certifications such as TOGAF, extensive Yocto Project experience, safety-critical systems experience with standards such as ISO 26262 or DO-178C, formal methods and verification knowledge, open-source architecture contributions, and published technical work are preferred.
Experience in automotive, aerospace, or industrial sectors is preferred. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis without requiring any type of visa sponsorship or transfer, now or in the 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 and must be able to work in a hybrid/on-site environment as required.

Why join Wind River / Aptiv?

You grow at Aptiv. Aptiv's winning culture is global by design. We bring together diverse perspectives, cultures, and business contexts to solve our customers' toughest challenges. In this environment, every individual can grow, lead, and make an impact, regardless of background, because inclusion fuels how we innovate and win.
You make an impact at Aptiv. One of the strengths of humanity is our drive to progress, to improve, to achieve more tomorrow than we did yesterday. People need solutions they can trust when it matters most. At Aptiv, you are building those solutions every day.
You have support at Aptiv. We ensure you have the resources and support you need to take care of your family, your physical health, and your mental health with a competitive benefits package.

Your Benefits at Aptiv

Hybrid work model for workplace flexibility.
Comprehensive health, dental, and life insurance.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
Flexible time-off policies for work-life balance.
Employee assistance program for mental well-being.
Learning benefits, including a LinkedIn Learning subscription and seminars.

Meet the Next Generation Aptiv

At Aptiv, we deliver innovative solutions that people trust when it matters most.

Progress is never static. It is about reaching further, exploring new possibilities, and enabling mobility. Aptiv empowers customers to create solutions people rely on, advancing safety and autonomy in Automotive and Commercial Vehicles, enabling mission-critical performance in Aerospace & Defense, and powering intelligent systems across Energy, Enterprise, and Telecommunications. We also drive precision and efficiency in Industrials & Robotics and support life-critical innovation in Medical technologies.

Guided by our winning culture and values to Think & Act Like Owners, as One Team, and Play to Win, we turn commitment into results and achieve more together.

Join Us to Deliver Innovative Solutions That People Trust!

#LI-AL3

Privacy Notice - Active Candidates: ;br>
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.

Back to blog

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...