Global Head of Software – AOSP/AAOS

• Location: Central US – Illinois or Oklahoma
• Work arrangement: Hybrid – 3 days per week in the office
• Travel: Approximately 20% international travel
• Level: Executive / Senior Technology Leadership

About the Company

Our client is one of the largest electronics manufacturers (10k+) in its niche market, with a global presence and engineering teams across the United States, Europe, and APAC.

The organisation develops sophisticated connected products combining embedded software, hardware, cloud technologies and advanced user interfaces.

We are looking for a Global Head of Software to lead the global software engineering organisation and help shape the next generation of connected products and platforms.

The Opportunity

This is a senior technology leadership position with responsibility for software engineering strategy, architecture, execution and organisational leadership across a globally distributed engineering organisation.

The company already has a successful next-generation Android-based platform in production. The opportunity is to take this platform further — creating a more modular, scalable, and maintainable software ecosystem while continuing to deliver high-quality products to customers.

You will have significant influence over:

• Software and platform architecture
• Embedded Android, AOSP and AAOS
• Engineering standards and ways of working
• Software quality and release predictability
• Connected products and cloud services
• OTA updates and remote diagnostics
• Product analytics and observability
• AI-enabled software development
• Global engineering organisation and capability

This role is suited to a technically credible software leader who can engage deeply in architecture discussions while also leading senior engineering leaders and driving organisational change.

Key Responsibilities

Technology Strategy & Architecture

• Define and execute the global software platform strategy across embedded Android products, applications and connected services.
• Provide technical leadership across Android/AOSP, AAOS, middleware, networking, cloud connectivity, OTA, cybersecurity, diagnostics and data services.
• Establish scalable, modular architecture with stable APIs, clear interfaces and ownership between platform and application teams.
• Lead platform modernisation while balancing architectural improvements with ongoing product delivery.
• Partner with Product, Hardware, Systems Engineering, UX, Validation and executive leadership to align technology strategy with business objectives.

Engineering Execution & Quality

• Own software delivery from requirements and architecture through development, testing, release, and field support.
• Improve release predictability through disciplined planning, release management, quality gates, and risk management.
• Scale CI/CD, automated testing, hardware-in-the-loop validation, security testing and release automation.
• Drive measurable improvements in software quality, reliability and engineering efficiency.
• Strengthen product analytics, telemetry, observability and remote diagnostics.
• Improve the organisation's ability to identify, diagnose and resolve issues in products already in the field.

Global Engineering Leadership

• Lead and develop a geographically distributed software organisation across the US, Europe and New Zealand.
• Build a culture of technical excellence, accountability, ownership and continuous improvement.
• Develop engineering leaders and strengthen succession and talent development.
• Establish effective collaboration across product, platform, architecture and quality engineering teams.
• Work effectively with external engineering partners, suppliers and technology providers.

AI-Enabled Engineering

• Develop practical AI capabilities across the software development lifecycle.
• Identify opportunities to use AI for development productivity, testing, defect analysis, documentation and knowledge management.
• Establish appropriate governance around security, quality, intellectual property and responsible AI use.

Stakeholder & Partner Leadership

• Communicate technology strategy, delivery status, risks and investment priorities to senior leadership.
• Build strong relationships across Product, Hardware, Systems, Validation, Cybersecurity, Manufacturing and Service.
• Manage relationships with technology partners, suppliers, ODMs, cloud providers and engineering service organisations.
• Support customer integration requirements and product-specific configurations.

Technology Environment

The role covers a broad software and connected-product ecosystem, including:

• Embedded Android / AOSP / AAOS
• Android framework and system services
• HAL and BSP integration
• Binder/AIDL
• System applications, Launcher and System UI
• Embedded Linux
• C/C++, Java, Kotlin and Python
• Networking, Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
• Multi-display HMI and graphics
• Cloud-connected and IoT systems
• OTA software updates
• Product telemetry, analytics and diagnostics
• Cybersecurity and secure software development
• Automated testing and CI/CD

You do not need to be the hands-on expert in every technology listed above. However, you should have sufficient technical depth to challenge architecture decisions, understand trade-offs, and provide credible leadership to highly experienced engineering teams.

What We're Looking For

Required

• 20+ years of progressive software engineering leadership experience.
• Significant experience leading large, distributed engineering organisations and senior engineering leaders.
• Strong production experience with embedded Android, AOSP or Android Automotive (AAOS) products.
• Deep understanding of Android platform architecture, including framework services, HAL/BSP, system applications, networking, security and OTA.
• Proven experience modernising an established software platform or product architecture while continuing to deliver products to market.
• Track record of improving software quality, release predictability, automated testing, CI/CD and engineering effectiveness.
• Experience leading organisational change, talent development and global engineering teams.
• Strong executive communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.

Preferred

Experience in one or more of the following would be highly valuable:

• Automotive, digital cockpit or infotainment
• Connected devices / IoT
• Industrial or off-highway technology
• Powersports or other complex embedded products
• Multi-display HMI, graphics, media, navigation or voice
• Embedded Linux and C/C++
• CAN, Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
• ASPICE, cybersecurity, secure boot or secure OTA
• Long-lifecycle hardware/software products
• Global or best-cost-country engineering organisations
• AI-assisted software development

Working Environment

This is a US-based global leadership role, with the primary locations being Illinois or Oklahoma.

The position follows a hybrid working model, with approximately three days per week in the office.

You will work closely with engineering teams across the United States, Europe, and APAC, with approximately 20% international travel expected.

Why This Role?

This is an opportunity to lead a large-scale global software organisation and influence both the technology platform and engineering organisation behind a portfolio of sophisticated connected products.

You will have the opportunity to work at the intersection of embedded Android, connected devices, cloud technology, AI, and global engineering leadership, while working closely with senior executives and experienced technical teams around the world.

If you have significant experience leading global software organisations and a strong background in Android/AOSP/AAOS and complex embedded products, I'd be interested in having a confidential conversation with you.