AE-Protocol Developer

Job Title

AE-Protocol Developer

Role Summary

Work on protocol and reference-software development for automotive Ethernet switching and time-sensitive networking (TSN). The role sits in Technical Support/Application Development and supports customers, builds proofs-of-concept, and implements the gPTP timing stack for high-precision in-vehicle synchronization.

The position combines engineering, customer-facing support, and ASPICE-compliant embedded software development to validate and integrate timing and TSN solutions for OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers.

Experience Level

Mid-level — candidate should have 5+ years of embedded software development experience in the automotive industry, particularly with real-time networking and protocol stacks.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include customer support, protocol development, and prototype delivery:

• Provide pre- and post-sales technical support, driver porting, and custom embedded software for FAE and customers.
• Debug embedded Linux and RTOS drivers in collaboration with R&D teams.
• Design, implement, and maintain IEEE 802.1AS-2020 (gPTP) protocol stack for automotive Ethernet switches, including timing, synchronization, path delay measurement, and diagnostics.
• Optimize gPTP performance to achieve sub-microsecond synchronization for time-sensitive applications.
• Develop POCs, rapid prototypes, and reference implementations for automotive use cases (audio/video streaming, sensor fusion), and run POC test plans measuring latency, jitter, and sync accuracy.
• Customize protocol configurations and network topologies for customer-specific POC and evaluation phases; provide troubleshooting and technical guidance.
• Follow ASPICE Level 2 process requirements: maintain traceability matrices and participate in assessments and process improvement.
• Write and maintain safety-critical embedded C code and perform code reviews, static analysis, and documentation of deviations.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience; concise listing below.

• Minimum: 5+ years embedded software development experience in automotive environments.
• Hands-on experience implementing IEEE 802.1AS (gPTP) or IEEE 1588 (PTP) protocol stacks.
• Experience with ASPICE-compliant software processes (Level 2 minimum).
• Strong proficiency in MISRA C:2012–compliant embedded C programming and zero-tolerance MISRA practices.
• Experience with ARM Cortex-R or Cortex-M architectures and toolchains (GCC, IAR, Keil).
• Experience with RTOS on ARM platforms (FreeRTOS, AUTOSAR OS, SafeRTOS).
• Knowledge of TSN standards (802.1Qav, 802.1CB, 802.1Qat, 802.1Qbu/802.3br) and Ethernet Layer 2 / switch architectures.
• Familiarity with AVTP (IEEE 1722) and related stream transport concepts.
• Experience using static analysis tools (PC-Lint, Polyspace, Coverity) and integrating them into CI/CD pipelines.
• Experience with CI/CD and source control workflows (Jenkins, GitLab CI, Git).

Education Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.

About the Company

Company: Ethernovia

Develops advanced automotive communication semiconductors and systems, focusing on digital SoC design and verification for networking, video, DSP and related IP. Startup-stage employer offering pre-IPO stock options and benefits.