Distinguished Software Architect

Wayve is building the next generation of embodied AI for autonomous driving. As the company moves from developing its core technology to deploying it across multiple vehicle platforms, OEM programmes and Robotaxi applications, the complexity of its software systems is growing significantly. The Distinguished Software Architect will help define how the software architecture evolves through this next phase of scale. This is a highly cross-functional individual contributor role operating at the intersection of AI, robotics and large-scale software systems.

Responsibilities

Define architectural direction across Wayve's software ecosystem as the company scales its AI Driver across vehicle platforms and products; Create clear software boundaries, interfaces and abstractions across AI, compute and vehicle systems; Lead large architectural changes that span multiple engineering organisations; Improve how software is developed, integrated, tested and deployed across different hardware and vehicle platforms; Work across onboard software, computer vision, AI, simulation, training and inference, product engineering and Robotaxi systems; Help shape the development platforms and engineering systems that underpin how Wayve builds and deploys physical AI at scale; Partner with teams working with OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to ensure architecture supports different production environments, hardware configurations and integrations; Act as a technical decision-maker and tiebreaker on complex architectural decisions; Help establish a strong engineering and design culture for building large-scale, safety-critical AI and robotics systems

Requirements

Operated as a Principal, Distinguished or equivalent senior individual contributor and shaped the architecture of large, complex software systems; Track record of leading significant technical or architectural change across multiple teams or engineering organisations; Exceptional systems thinker who can understand a broad technical landscape while still going deep where necessary; Experience building systems in computer vision, robotics, physical AI or another domain where sophisticated software and AI interact with the physical world; Understands the architectural challenges that emerge when AI models, software, compute and hardware need to operate together as a reliable production system; Built or evolved software platforms that needed to operate reliably across significant scale and complexity; Comfortable making difficult technical trade-offs and can distinguish between what is right for an individual team and what is right for the broader system; Can influence senior engineers and engineering leaders through technical credibility rather than organisational authority; Cares deeply about software design, engineering quality and creating systems that enable other engineers to move faster; Can enter unfamiliar technical domains, learn quickly and develop strong technical judgment; Combines architectural thinking with a strong bias towards execution and turning technical direction into real engineering change

Nice to have

Experience in autonomous driving, robotics or automotive systems; Experience solving complex software architecture problems at significant scale and bringing that experience into a new technical domain

Benefits

Salaries benchmarked against the market annually; Meaningful equity; Relocation support and visa sponsorship where applicable; Hybrid working, core hours and the chance to work hands on in vehicle workshops and labs; Learning and development budgets with support for training, conferences and growth; Comprehensive benefits including health insurance, dental, enhanced maternity and paternity leave, retirement or pension where applicable, access to therapists, wellbeing partnerships, team socials and more