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

• Contribute to continuously maintaining and upgrading software controlling R&D instruments, automated test setups, and automation workflows.
• Implement software development processes aligned with regulatory requirements (IEC 62304, ISO 13485) within a modern CI/CD framework.
• Design and optimize algorithms used for data processing, instrument control, and automation logic.
• Collaborate with researchers and engineers to translate experimental requirements into software features.
• Contribute to maintaining and evolving the internal databases.
• Write software documentation, including API documentation, architecture overviews, and configuration instructions.
• Participate in code reviews and implement automated unit/integration testing to meet strict ISO compliance.

  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

• Support with relocation to Berlin