Software Architect

Job Title

Software Architect

Role Summary

Join the Embedded Processing team in Austin, TX to lead development of software emulation tools that enable shift-left development and early software validation ahead of silicon availability. The role bridges hardware and software workflows, defines emulation roadmaps, and supports customers and internal teams in pre-silicon software enablement.

Experience Level

Senior - typically requires 8+ years of professional software development experience and 3+ years in a technical leadership or team lead capacity.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities focus on architecture, implementation, and customer enablement for virtual platforms and hardware emulation.

• Define technical requirements and architectural standards for software emulation workflows and virtual platforms.
• Lead cross-functional teams to develop early-stage embedded software and establish shift-left best practices.
• Design and implement virtual platform configurations (Synopsys Virtual Platform, QEMU, SIMICS).
• Develop hardware/software co-emulation frameworks using ZEBU, HAPS, and related accelerators.
• Build automation and CI/CD pipelines for emulation infrastructure and system-level testing.
• Debug complex system-level issues across emulation and simulation environments.
• Enable early-access programs and work with customer engineering teams to integrate emulation solutions.
• Mentor junior engineers, conduct code reviews, and coordinate project timelines and resources.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and practical experience required for the role.

• Virtual platforms: Hands-on experience with Synopsys Virtual Platform, QEMU, or SIMICS.
• Hardware emulation: Experience with ZEBU, HAPS, or equivalent emulation platforms.
• Programming: Proficiency in C/C++, Python, and shell scripting.
• Embedded systems: Experience with ARM, RISC-V or similar architectures; Linux kernel and RTOS environments, bootloaders, and device drivers.
• Development practices: CI/CD pipelines, shift-left development methodologies, and agile/Scrum.
• Soft skills: Strong technical communication, cross-team collaboration, and problem-solving in complex systems.
• Nice-to-have: Exposure to Verilog/VHDL and experience with customer-facing enablement or proof-of-concept demonstrations.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field is required. A Master's degree is preferred. The posting does not state alternative "equivalent experience" language explicitly.

About the Company

Company: Renesas

Headquarters: Hitachinaka, Japan

Renesas is a global leader in embedded semiconductor solutions, providing high-quality products across automotive, industrial, infrastructure, and IoT sectors. With over 22,000 employees in more than 30 countries, the company focuses on scalable solutions that enhance user experience and drive innovation while committed to sustainability and energy efficiency.