Director of Software Engineering – AI/ML

Company Description

Renesas is one of the top global semiconductor companies in the world. We strive to develop a safer, healthier, greener, and smarter world, and our goal is to make every endpoint intelligent by offering product solutions in the automotive, industrial, infrastructure and IoT markets. Our robust product portfolio includes world-leading MCUs, SoCs, analog and power products, plus Winning Combination solutions that curate these complementary products. We are a key supplier to the world’s leading manufacturers of electronics you rely on every day; you may not see our products, but they are all around you.

Renesas employs roughly 21,000 people in more than 30 countries worldwide. As a global team, our employees actively embody the Renesas Culture, our guiding principles based on five key elements: Transparent, Agile, Global, Innovative, and Entrepreneurial. Renesas believes in, and has a commitment to, diversity and inclusion, with initiatives and a leadership team dedicated to its resources and values. At Renesas, we want to build a sustainable future where technology helps make our lives easier. Join us and build your future by being part of what’s next in electronics and the world.

Job Description

In this role, you will lead the definition and execution of AI/ML-driven initiatives, drive adoption of ML/AI across frontend and backend design and development flows across the company, enable next-generation intelligent design automation capabilities, and collaborate with cross-functional leaders to integrate AI into engineering productivity, automation, and decision-making processes.

Job Responsibilities

• Define and own the AI/ML strategy for Engineering group’s software and design flows
• Lead the transformation of semiconductor design workflows by deploying AI-driven (agentic) solutions across Frontend (modelling, synthesis, optimization) and Backend (place-and-route, timing closure, physical optimization)
• Drive end-to-end integration of AI into engineering toolchains
• Establish scalable frameworks for:
  • Data collection, labelling, and pipeline management
  • Model training/fine tuning, validation, and deployment
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with:
  • EDA, design, architecture, and platform teams
  • External vendors and partners as needed
• Build and grow a high-performance engineering team
• Define KPIs to measure productivity gains, quality improvements, and ROI from AI initiatives
• Ensure alignment with enterprise AI programs and governance frameworks
• Drive continuous innovation and adoption of emerging AI/ML technologies in semiconductor workflows

Qualifications

• MTech/BTech in EE/CS with 20+ years of software development experience and 10+ years of engineering management experience (including leading managers or large teams)
• 7+ years in semiconductor and/or EDA industry
• Proven experience in Applying ML/AI to real-world engineering or automation problems
• Proven experience building and scaling AI/ML platforms leveraging technologies such as LangChain, vector databases, and RAG-based architectures
• Deep understanding of LLM ecosystems, including embeddings, knowledge retrieval, and integration of AI agents into production workflows
• Strong understanding of software architecture, distributed systems, Data pipelines and ML workflows
• Demonstrated ability to Lead cross-functional initiatives and translate business/engineering needs into technical solutions
• Should have exposure to quality processes for project execution, delivery, and working with multiple teams across geos
• Strong communication skills for executive-level engagement
• Preferred Hands-on experience with EDA tools, chip design flows, or semiconductor development lifecycle
• Prior Hands-on experience with AI/ML frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, or similar) is a plus
• Prior experience building AI-driven solutions for Design optimization and Automation/ productivity improvement is preferred
• Familiarity with Cloud platforms and scalable compute infrastructure and Data-driven decision systems is preferred

Additional Information

Renesas is an embedded semiconductor solution provider driven by its Purpose ‘To Make Our Lives Easier.’ As the industry’s leading expert in embedded processing with unmatched quality and system-level know-how, we have evolved to provide scalable and comprehensive semiconductor solutions for automotive, industrial, infrastructure, and IoT industries based on the broadest product portfolio, including High Performance Computing, Embedded Processing, Analog & Connectivity, and Power.
 
With a diverse team of over 21,000 professionals in more than 30 countries, we continue to expand our boundaries to offer enhanced user experiences through digitalization and usher into a new era of innovation. We design and develop sustainable, power-efficient solutions today that help people and communities thrive tomorrow, ‘To Make Our Lives Easier.’     
 
At Renesas, you can: 

• Launch and advance your career in technical and business roles across four Product Groups and various corporate functions. You will have the opportunities to explore our hardware and software capabilities and try new things.  

• Make a real impact by developing innovative products and solutions to meet our global customers' evolving needs and help make people’s lives easier, safe and secure. 

• Maximize your performance and wellbeing in our flexible and inclusive work environment. Our people-first culture and global support system, including the remote work option and Employee Resource Groups, will help you excel from the first day.    

Are you ready to own your success and make your mark?  

Join Renesas. Let’s Shape the Future together.  

Renesas Electronics is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to supporting diversity and fostering a work environment free of discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military status, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. For more information, please read our Diversity & Inclusion Statement.