Automotive MCU Chip Architect
hophr· Software Engineer
About this role
We are looking for an experienced Automotive MCU Chip Architect to define the system and subsystem architecture of next-generation automotive microcontrollers. The role includes ownership of chip-level architecture concepts, subsystem partitioning, compute and memory architecture, interconnect strategy, safety and security integration, power/reset/clock concepts, and hardware/software interface definition. The successful candidate will work closely with product management, safety, security, design, verification, software, and implementation teams to ensure the MCU architecture meets demanding automotive
requirements for real-time performance, functional safety, cybersecurity, reliability, scalability, and cost efficiency.
requirements for real-time performance, functional safety, cybersecurity, reliability, scalability, and cost efficiency.
What you'll do
- Define the overall automotive MCU architecture from product, customer, and market requirements.
- Translate use cases into chip-level requirements covering performance, safety, security, power, cost, and
scalability. - Drive system partitioning across CPUs, memories, interconnects, peripherals, safety/security functions,
debug, test, and power domains. - Own architecture trade-offs and document decision rationale for reuse across MCU families and
derivatives. - Align subsystem concepts and interfaces across compute, memory, bus/interconnect, peripheral, safety,
security, power/reset/clock, debug/trace, and DFT/test domains. - Ensure subsystem requirements are implementation-feasible and verifiable at RTL, subsystem, chip,
silicon, and software levels. - Define hardware/software-visible architecture elements such as memory maps, register model
principles, interrupts, DMA, boot flow, and access-control concepts. - Lead architecture reviews and resolve trade-offs between product management, system engineering,
safety, security, design, verification, software, backend, test, and validation teams. - Provide technical guidance during concept, design, verification, silicon bring-up, qualification, and
customer support phases. - Ensure architectural consistency, requirement traceability, and risk closure across global engineering
teams.
Key Responsibilities
System Architecture Definition
Subsystem Architecture Ownership
Cross-Functional Technical Leadership
What we require
- Deep understanding of real-time MCU architectures, CPU subsystems, memories, peripheral integration,
low-power design, product-family scalability, and silicon implementation constraints. - Practical ISO 26262 expertise including ASIL concepts, safety goals, technical safety requirements,
FMEDA/DFA/FTA awareness, and definition of safety mechanisms at system and subsystem level. - Understanding of secure boot, hardware root of trust, HSM integration, cryptographic accelerators, key
management, lifecycle states, secure debug, and ISO/SAE 21434 concepts. - Ability to reason about RTL feasibility, timing, area, power, DFT, backend constraints, IP integration,
verification closure, and bring-up observability. - Working knowledge of startup software, boot flows, drivers, AUTOSAR concepts, RTOS use, interrupts,
memory protection, debug, and software-visible register behavior. - 10+ years in semiconductor, MCU, SoC, or embedded systems development.
- Several years in system architecture, subsystem architecture, or senior technical leadership.
- Hands-on experience with automotive MCU or automotive SoC products.
- Experience across concept definition, architecture specification, design support, verification support,
silicon bring-up, qualification, and customer support. - Proven ability to work with international and cross-functional engineering teams.
Required Technical Expertise
MCU / SoC Architecture
Automotive Functional Safety
Automotive Cybersecurity
Digital Design and Implementation Awareness
Embedded Software Awareness
Required Experience
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the salary disclosed for the Automotive MCU Chip Architect position at hophr?
The salary for this Automotive MCU Chip Architect role at hophr is not publicly listed. Click "Apply Now" to learn more about the compensation package on their official careers page.
Where is the Automotive MCU Chip Architect position at hophr located?
This Automotive MCU Chip Architect role at hophr is based in Duesseldorf. The position is listed as on-site or hybrid. Check the full job description or apply directly to confirm the work arrangement.
Is the Automotive MCU Chip Architect role at hophr full-time or part-time?
This is listed as a Full Time position. It is posted as a Automotive MCU Chip Architect role in the Software Engineer department at hophr.
Which team or department does the Automotive MCU Chip Architect at hophr belong to?
This Automotive MCU Chip Architect position is part of the Software Engineer department at hophr. See the full job description for more information about the team structure and responsibilities.
How do I apply for the Automotive MCU Chip Architect position at hophr?
Click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be redirected to hophr's official application portal hosted on lever where you can submit your application directly.
When was the Automotive MCU Chip Architect job at hophr posted?
This Automotive MCU Chip Architect position at hophr was posted on Jul 9, 2026. Apply as soon as possible — early applications are often reviewed first.
Automotive MCU Chip Architect
hophr
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