Lead Embedded AI

Lead Embedded AI & Real-Time OS Architect

Employment Type: Permanent | Full-Time

Working Arrangement: On-site

We are partnering with a global technology organisation to recruit a highly experienced Embedded AI & Real-Time OS Architect for its advanced research and development team in Pisa, Italy.

This is an opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation intelligent embedded systems across the digital power and automotive sectors.

The successful candidate will lead the design and development of embedded operating system architectures, combining deterministic real-time execution with emerging AI technologies.

This role is particularly suited to an expert with deep knowledge of Linux kernel internals, real-time operating systems, low-level hardware architecture, and edge AI inference.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and design of embedded operating systems and middleware, integrating deterministic real-time execution with emerging agentic AI technologies.
• Develop and optimise operating system technologies to support efficient AI inference and heterogeneous computing resource scheduling.
• Conduct low-level performance analysis and optimisation across CPUs, GPUs, NPUs, memory, networking and other embedded hardware components.
• Improve system reliability, predictability and end-to-end latency for mission-critical embedded applications.
• Design solutions to minimise hardware resource contention and optimise system performance.
• Contribute to the development of next-generation embedded AI platforms for digital power and automotive applications.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering and research teams to address complex system-level architectural challenges.
• Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electronic Engineering or a closely related discipline. A PhD is advantageous.
• Deep understanding of Linux kernel internals and/or real-time operating systems such as Zephyr, FreeRTOS or ERIKA.
• Strong expertise in kernel subsystems, particularly scheduling, memory management and resource management.
• Solid knowledge of machine learning techniques, including CNNs, DNNs and SVMs.
• Experience with edge AI frameworks such as LiteRT / TensorFlow Lite, together with an understanding of deterministic AI inference.
• Excellent understanding of embedded hardware architectures, including SoC, MPU, MMU, interrupt controllers, cache and memory hierarchies, and memory virtualisation.
• Experience with ARM and/or RISC-V architectures, including approaches to reducing contention for shared hardware resources.
• Excellent programming skills in C and C++.
• Previous experience with Assembly programming and device driver development.
• Strong understanding of POSIX standards.
• Knowledge of distributed service-oriented architectures, particularly techniques for improving determinism and reducing end-to-end latency.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, collaboration and communication skills.
• Professional fluency in English and the ability to work effectively in an international environment.
• Knowledge of automotive software standards such as OSEK/VDX or AUTOSAR Classic.
• Advanced expertise in low-level embedded systems performance analysis and optimisation.
• Familiarity with functional safety standards, including ISO 26262 and IEC 61508.
• PhD or research background in operating systems, embedded computing, real-time systems or related technologies.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Work on advanced embedded AI and real-time computing technologies.
• Influence the architecture of next‑generation intelligent embedded systems.
• Contribute to technically challenging research and development projects.
• Collaborate with international experts across embedded systems, hardware architecture and artificial intelligence.
• Join a permanent, senior‑level position with long‑term technical impact.

Location & Working Arrangement

This position is based in Pisa, Italy, and requires on‑site working.

Applications from international candidates who are open to relocating to Pisa are welcome.