Automotive Embedded Software Technical Lead - Kanagawa

A leading global automotive technology supplier is seeking an experienced Automotive Embedded Software Technical Lead to oversee embedded software development, technical coordination, and system validation for advanced automotive headlamp and exterior lighting systems in Kanagawa, Japan.

This manager-level position serves as the key technical bridge between Japanese automotive manufacturers and international Research & Development (R&D) centers, ensuring that customer requirements, software specifications, and engineering solutions are aligned throughout the development lifecycle.

You will play a central role in developing and validating automotive lighting software, embedded control systems, and vehicle-integrated technologies, working closely with domestic engineering teams, overseas R&D specialists, and major automotive customers.

The position combines embedded software engineering, C programming, automotive system architecture, technical project coordination, and hands-on vehicle testing.

You will participate in vehicle evaluations, test bench activities, nighttime test drives, software debugging, root-cause analysis, and technical design reviews to ensure that lighting systems meet customer expectations and performance requirements.

This opportunity is ideal for experienced professionals with a background in Automotive Embedded Software Development, Automotive Lighting, ECU Systems, ADAS, or Automotive Software Validation who want to take on a technical leadership role within a global automotive engineering organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical liaison between Japanese automotive customers and overseas R&D centers, ensuring effective communication and technical alignment.
• Lead technical discussions with major automotive manufacturers to propose and promote standardized automotive lighting system solutions.
• Coordinate embedded software development activities for advanced automotive headlamp systems and exterior lighting technologies.
• Work closely with domestic engineering teams and international R&D specialists to align software specifications, system requirements, and development priorities.
• Analyze differences between customer-specific requirements and standard product specifications, identifying feasible technical solutions and compromises.
• Negotiate technical requirements and proposed solutions with automotive customers while considering product capabilities and engineering constraints.
• Review and evaluate customer Change Requests (CRs), providing accurate technical feedback to Project Managers.
• Support project planning by clarifying the technical impact of requested changes, software modifications, and system requirements.
• Attend on-site vehicle testing sessions and test bench evaluations to identify software defects, system issues, and performance gaps.
• Participate in nighttime vehicle test drives to assess automotive headlamp performance under real-world driving conditions.
• Reproduce software defects, investigate technical issues, and conduct detailed root-cause analysis.
• Lead technical troubleshooting and coordinate corrective actions with domestic and overseas engineering teams.
• Conduct and support software architecture reviews, system design reviews, and technical validation activities.
• Collaborate with global engineering teams to improve embedded software quality, system reliability, and product performance.
• Ensure technical issues and development risks are communicated clearly to customers, engineering stakeholders, and Project Managers.
• Support continuous improvement of automotive software engineering processes, technical communication, and system validation practices.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of professional engineering experience, ideally within the automotive industry.
• Practical knowledge of embedded software development using C programming language.
• Strong understanding of software architecture, embedded systems, and system design principles.
• Experience working with automotive electronic systems, software development, or system validation.
• Ability to analyze technical specifications and identify gaps between customer requirements and standard product capabilities.
• Experience investigating software issues, supporting debugging activities, or performing technical root-cause analysis.
• Understanding of engineering development processes involving software requirements, system testing, and technical validation.
• Ability to work directly with test benches, engineering equipment, and actual vehicle evaluations.
• Experience collaborating with engineering teams and technical stakeholders to resolve complex development issues.

Soft Skills:

• Strong technical communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent negotiation and problem-solving abilities, particularly when balancing customer requirements with engineering feasibility.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Japanese automotive manufacturers, domestic engineering teams, and overseas R&D centers.
• High level of patience and persistence when resolving complex technical challenges.
• Strong analytical thinking and attention to detail when investigating software defects and system performance issues.
• Comfortable working in hands-on automotive engineering environments, including vehicle testing and technical troubleshooting.
• Ability to explain complex technical issues clearly to both engineering specialists and project stakeholders.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability for technical problem resolution.
• Adaptability when working with international teams, changing project requirements, and challenging engineering schedules.
• Ability to coordinate technical discussions and maintain alignment among multiple stakeholders.

Language Requirements:

• Japanese: Intermediate/Business
• English: Intermediate/Business

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in automotive lighting systems, headlamp control software, or exterior vehicle lighting technologies.
• Background in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), Electronic Control Units (ECUs), or automotive embedded software engineering.
• Familiarity with Automotive SPICE (ASPICE) and automotive software development processes.
• Experience supporting automotive OEMs or Tier 1 automotive suppliers.
• Knowledge of automotive software testing, system validation, and vehicle-level verification.
• Experience participating in vehicle test drives, nighttime evaluations, or test bench troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with automotive software debugging, defect reproduction, and root-cause analysis.
• Experience managing technical communication between Japanese automotive customers and international engineering teams.
• Understanding of customer Change Request management and technical requirement negotiations.
• Experience conducting software design reviews, system architecture reviews, or technical feasibility assessments.
• Interest in next-generation automotive lighting technology, intelligent headlamp systems, and advanced vehicle electronics.

About the Company

Morgan McKinley is partnering with a premier global automotive technology supplier specializing in innovative solutions for the international automotive industry.

The company develops advanced technologies across thermal management, automotive interior experiences, and vehicle lighting systems, supporting major automotive manufacturers worldwide.

Its automotive lighting division works closely with leading vehicle manufacturers to design and engineer advanced headlamp systems, automotive exterior lighting technologies, and integrated vehicle solutions.

The organization combines international R&D capabilities, automotive software engineering expertise, and advanced system development technologies to deliver innovative solutions for modern vehicles.

Its global engineering network enables close collaboration between Japanese automotive customers, domestic technical teams, and international R&D centers.

This position offers an opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation automotive lighting systems while serving as a key technical leader connecting Japan's automotive industry with global engineering expertise.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Join a leading global automotive supplier developing advanced vehicle technologies.
• Take on a manager-level technical leadership position with significant responsibility for automotive software development and system validation.
• Serve as the central technical contact connecting major Japanese automotive manufacturers and international R&D centers.
• Work on cutting-edge automotive headlamp systems and exterior lighting technologies.
• Gain hands-on exposure to embedded software development, vehicle testing, and automotive system validation.
• Participate directly in nighttime vehicle test drives, test bench evaluations, and software troubleshooting.
• Lead the resolution of complex software defects, system integration challenges, and technical requirement gaps.
• Collaborate with international automotive engineers and world-class R&D specialists.
• Influence technical decisions involving software architecture, customer specifications, and system performance.
• Develop expertise in Automotive Embedded Software, C Programming, ECU Systems, Automotive Lighting, and Software Validation.
• Benefit from a stable corporate environment with long-term career development opportunities.
• Access telework options while remaining involved in hands-on automotive engineering activities.
• Strengthen your career in technical leadership, global engineering coordination, and automotive software development.
• Contribute to the advancement of next-generation automotive lighting and vehicle electronics technologies.

Don't Miss Out - Apply Now!