System‑Level Architect Director (Non‑Executive), Global Product
Why join Aptiv? You'll have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge applications, develop breakthrough technologies, and deliver innovative solutions to some of the world’s leading automotive brands. See your work come to life on the road—helping make mobility safer, greener, and more connected. Ready to shape the future of mobility with us?
YOUR ROLE
The System‑Level Architect Director is a senior technical leader responsible for defining and governing the end‑to‑end architecture of complex, integrated product ecosystems across global product lines. This role ensures that product platforms, software, hardware, and connected services are architecturally aligned, scalable, secure, and future‑ready. The position influences global product strategy, drives architectural coherence across business units, and acts as a key
thought partner to engineering, product management, UX, and executive leadership.
In your daily job you will:
- Define the global system architecture vision, principles, domains and standards
- across product lines.
- Ensure architectural decisions align with long‑term business strategy, technology
- roadmap, and customer experience goals.
- Lead system‑level architecture reviews, establishing consistent global governance.
- Partner with Product Management, Product Engineering, New Technologies Group, Cybersecurity and Engineering Delivery Organization teams to design
integrated solutions.
- Translate complex business requirements into cohesive system‑level designs that span software, hardware, interfaces, and data flows.
- Act as the senior technical authority in global product planning forums.
- Drive the evolution of modular, interoperable product platforms.
- Oversee the definition of APIs, data models, interoperability standards, and system boundaries.
- Ensure new components integrate seamlessly into existing architectures.
- Identify emerging technologies and assess their fit within the global product ecosystem.
- Develop multi‑year architectural roadmaps, including refactoring strategies, platform migrations, and modernization initiatives.
- Promote architectural innovation that enhances product scalability, security, and performance.
- Ensure architectures support reliability, maintainability, global regulatory compliance, and cybersecurity standards.
- Collaborate with quality engineering and cybersecurity teams to embed best practices into system designs.
- Present architectural strategies and trade-offs to senior and executive stakeholders.
- Guide engineering leaders in decision‑making and technical prioritization.
- Provide thought leadership, mentoring, and coaching to global architecture and engineering communities.
YOUR BACKGROUND
Key skills and competencies for succeeding in this role are:
- 10+ years in system architecture, solution architecture, embedded systems, platform engineering, or equivalent.
- Proven experience architecting complex, multi‑component systems in a global product environment.
- Strong understanding of software architecture patterns, cloud platforms, connectivity, data architecture, and integration frameworks.
- Demonstrated ability to lead without direct authority across diverse global teams.
- Excellent communication skills for both technical and non‑technical audiences.
*California
Salary Range: $177,500k - $220k
*Boston
Salary Range:$177,500k - $220k
* Michigan
Salary Range: $152k-$197K
* As a candidate for this position, your salary and will be contingent upon your work experience, education, skills and any other factors Aptiv considers relevant to the hiring decision
NICE TO HAVES
- 10+ years' experience in global product organizations with hardware–software integrated systems.
- Knowledge of enterprise architecture frameworks.
- Background in systems engineering, industrial design, or user‑experience‑driven development.
- Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
WHY JOIN US?
- You can grow at Aptiv. Aptiv provides an inclusive work environment where all individuals can grow and develop, regardless of gender, ethnicity or beliefs.
- You can have an impact. Safety is a core Aptiv value; we want a safer world for us and our children, one with: Zero fatalities, Zero injuries, Zero accidents.
- You have support. We ensure you have the resources and support you need to take care of your family and your physical and mental health with a competitive health insurance package.
YOUR BENEFITS AT APTIV:
- Private health care effective day 1 of employment
- Life and accident insurance
- Paid Time Off (Holidays, Vacation, Designated time off, Parental leave)
- Relocation assistance may be available
- Learning and development opportunities
- Discount programs with various manufacturers and retailers
- Recognition for innovation and excellence
- Opportunities to give back to the community
- Tuition Reimbursement
APPLY TODAY, AND TOGETHER LET’S CHANGE TOMORROW!
Privacy Notice - Active Candidates: https://www.aptiv.com/privacy-notice-active-candidates
Aptiv is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Top Skills
Similar Jobs
What you need to know about the Austin Tech Scene
Key Facts About Austin Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 180,500; 13.7% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Dell, IBM, AMD, Apple, Alphabet
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, hardware, cloud computing, software, healthtech
- Funding Landscape: $4.5 billion in VC funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Live Oak Ventures, Austin Ventures, Hinge Capital, Gigafund, KdT Ventures, Next Coast Ventures, Silverton Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: University of Texas, Southwestern University, Texas State University, Center for Complex Quantum Systems, Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, Texas Advanced Computing Center


