Principal Software Engineer

Company Description

Renesas is seeking an accomplished Software Engineerto lead the development and delivery of embedded operating system software and middleware for the Renesas RZ family of ARM-based microprocessors. This role owns the end-to-end software strategy across multiple operating systems—including Linux, Zephyr RTOS, FreeRTOS, and Azure RTOS—as well as the middleware stack that enables RZ platforms across industrial, IoT, automotive, and consumer markets.

The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise in embedded systems, the hardware/software interface, and open-source development practices, combined with proven leadership and the ability to drive cross-functional collaboration with SoC architects, product managers, and external partners.

Job Description

Technical Leadership & Architecture

• Define and own the operating system roadmap and strategy for the Renesas RZ product family, including build-vs-buy decisions, internal development priorities, and partner-driven ports.
• Oversee the enablement, porting, and upstreaming of Linux, Zephyr RTOS, FreeRTOS, and Azure RTOS across the RZ SoC portfolio (e.g., RZ/G, RZ/V, RZ/A, RZ/T series).
• Drive the architecture, development, and maintenance of middleware components—including but not limited to graphics frameworks, networking stacks, security libraries, file systems, connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), motor control libraries, and multimedia codecs.
• Collaborate closely with SoC architects and hardware teams to ensure silicon designs are well-supported by software, influencing decisions around IOMMU, DMA, interrupt controllers, boot ROM interfaces, and peripheral IP.
• Ensure robust Board Support Package (BSP) development, device tree enablement, and driver development across all supported operating systems.
• Lead upstream contribution strategies to Linux kernel, Zephyr Project, and other open-source communities, maintaining active maintainer/contributor relationships.

Process & Delivery

• Own the software release process for RZ OS offerings, including version management, release notes, quality assurance gates, and customer-facing documentation.
• Drive open-source compliance practices, including license review, SBOM generation, and audit readiness.
• Manage requirement traceability from customer/market needs through implementation and validation.
• Partner with product marketing, field application engineers, and key customers to define requirements, prioritize features, and resolve escalated issues.

Partnership & Stakeholder Management

• Identify, establish, and manage relationships with external partners and vendors delivering OS ports, commercial support, or middleware components for RZ platforms.
• Represent Renesas in relevant industry consortia and open-source foundations (e.g., Linux Foundation, Zephyr Project, Eclipse Foundation).
• Engage with strategic customers to understand use-case requirements and ensure platform software meets market needs.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent. Master's degree preferred.
• Experience: 15+ years of software engineering experience with progressively increasing responsibility, including 5+ years in a technical leadership role.
• Embedded OS Expertise: Deep hands-on experience with at least two of the following:
  • Linux kernel development (driver development, BSP bring-up, upstreaming)
  • Zephyr RTOS (architecture, device driver model, subsystem contributions)
  • FreeRTOS (porting, configuration, middleware integration)
  • Azure RTOS (ThreadX, FileX, NetX Duo, USBX)
• Hardware/Software Interface: Strong understanding of ARM Cortex-A and Cortex-R/M architectures, SoC boot flows, JTAG/debug interfaces, memory-mapped peripherals, and hardware datasheet interpretation.
• Middleware: Experience with embedded middleware including graphics (Wayland, LVGL), networking (TCP/IP, TLS), connectivity (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi), storage, and security components.
• Open-Source: Demonstrated track record of upstream contributions and compliance management (GPL/BSD/MIT/Apache licensing).
• Tools & Infrastructure: Proficiency with Git, Yocto/OpenEmbedded, Buildroot, Jenkins or equivalent build systems, and Docker/containerized build environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with functional safety standards (ISO 26262, IEC 61508) as applied to embedded software.
• Experience with AI/ML acceleration stacks on embedded processors (e.g., edge AI inference runtimes).
• Knowledge of motor control algorithms and real-time control systems.
• Prior experience working with or within semiconductor companies on MPU/MCU software enablement.
• Active standing in open-source communities (e.g., kernel maintainer, Zephyr contributor).
• Experience working with geographically distributed teams.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary, bonus, and equity participation.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Flexible work arrangements (hybrid/remote options).
• Professional development budget for conferences, certifications, and training.
• Opportunity to shape the software strategy for a leading global semiconductor platform.

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 22,000 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. Shape Your Future with Us.  

Renesas Electronics is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to celebrating 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 federal, state or local law. For more information, please read our Diversity & Inclusion Statement.

Renesas Electronics deals with dual-use technology that is subject to U.S. export controls regulations. Under these regulations it may be necessary for Renesas to obtain U.S. government export license prior to release of technology to certain persons. The decision whether or not to file or pursue an export license application is at the sole discretion of Renesas.