Lead Embedded Software Engineer / Architect – Berlin

Role descriptionYou will lead embedded software development & system architecture for an early-stage deep-tech startup building sensor-fusion safety systems for industrial automation and robotics. You will work on the core runtime, integration layer, and engineering toolchain that enable the first certifiable product release under functional safety requirements such as SIL2 / PLd, in compliance with EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230.You will be responsible for turning the platform into a certifiable, production-ready system: architecting and implementing the embedded software stack, defining real-time behavior and integration boundaries, establishing MISRA / AUTOSAR-compliant engineering practices, and building the verification pipeline with static analysis, simulation-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, telemetry, and observability. Once the first deployment is delivered, you will take on more leadership responsibilities for the technical team, influence the hiring of the next core engineers, and decide what the company should build versus buy. This position is in a startup environment. You should be ready for ambiguity, tight schedules, shifting priorities, rapid iteration, working directly alongside the CTO, and assuming wider responsibility for decisions that shape the final product-market fit.Visa: Visa sponsorship is availableEquity: ESOP available, will be discussed individuallyWork arrangement: hybrid/on-siteWork location: Berlin (ideally). Munich, Stuttgart, and North Rhine-Westphalia are also options. Belgium (Brussels/Flanders) is also an option. Responsibilities

• Own the embedded software architecture for the sensor-fusion safety platform, from runtime and integration layer to the engineering toolchain that supports the first certifiable product release.
• Design and implement the core embedded stack, including real-time execution model, module boundaries, inter-process communication, memory behavior, and integration with target hardware and sensors.
• Define the system architecture and implementation choices required to meet SIL2 / PLd and the EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230 functional safety requirements.
• Establish and enforce software engineering practices aligned with MISRA C, MISRA C++, and AUTOSAR C++14, including code quality gates, review discipline, and compliance-ready development workflows.
• Build the verification and validation pipeline across static analysis, unit testing, simulation-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, telemetry, and observability.
• Drive safety lifecycle activities and evidence generation, including traceability, verification reports, and support for V-model, Automotive SPICE, or IEC 61508 Part 3 processes.
• Engage closely with safety, systems, and hardware stakeholders to define integration constraints, timing budgets, failure boundaries, and certification-relevant interfaces.
• Support formal safety analysis and assessment work, including FMEA, FMEDA, FTA, HAZOP, STPA, or related methods as needed for the product and assessor review.
• Collaborate with assessors, auditors, and certification bodies to prepare technical evidence and resolve architecture or implementation questions during the certification path.
• Make practical build-versus-buy decisions for the runtime stack, tooling, and infrastructure based on product risk, certification impact, and startup constraints.
• Work closely with the CTO to shape the company’s long-term embedded strategy for production readiness, maintainability, and scale in industrial automation and robotics environments.
• After the first deployment, gradually assume technical leadership over the embedded team, including mentoring, hiring input, and setting technical direction for the next platform milestones.

Main requirements

• A track record of leading the development of production-grade embedded systems software at an early-stage or deep-tech company.
• Practical experience with functional safety assessment (SIL2, PLd, or ASIL-B)
• C++17 at a Senior level.
• Hands-on experience with MISRA C, MISRA C++, and AUTOSAR C++14 standards.
• Strong real-time experience with embedded Linux, PREEMPT_RT, or an RTOS like QNX, VxWorks, or Zephyr.
• Practical experience with safety-systems lifecycle: V-model, FMEA / FMEDA, FTA, traceability, evidence packaging.
• Fluent English

Other requirements

• Proven experience building the platform toolchain: CMake, CI, containerization, simulation-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, telemetry, and observability.
• Hands-on experience with at least one: Polyspace, Helix QAC, LDRA, Parasoft C/C++test, or Vector CAST

Nice to have, but not mandatory

• Knowledge of multimodal sensor fusion: stereo depth, time-of-flight, LWIR thermal, Kalman / EKF UKF, intrinsic and extrinsic calibration, time sync.
• Experience with CUDA / Jetson deployment for safety-classified workloads.
• Experience with automotive-grade SoCs like Qualcomm Snapdragon Ride, NVIDIA DRIVE, NXP S32, or Renesas R-Car.
• Experience as a Founder or Founding Engineer at an early-stage startup
• Conversional German
• Conversional Farsi

Benefits

• Meal vouchers
• Potential support with relocation to Berlin

Job Type: Full-timePay: From 110.000,00€ per yearWork Location: Hybrid remote in Berlin (Berlin)