Head of Automotive

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About Us

Axelera AI is not your regular deep‑tech startup. We are creating the next‑generation AI platform to support anyone who wants to help advancing humanity and improve the world around us. In just three years, we have raised a total of $120 million, built a world‑class team of 180+ employees (including 55+ PhDs with more than 40,000 citations), and operate across 11 countries with offices in Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, the UK and headquartered at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, Netherlands. We have launched our Metis™ AI Platform, which achieves a 3‑5× increase in efficiency and performance, and have a strong business pipeline exceeding $100 million.

Position Overview

Axelera is seeking a Head of Automotive to lead our entry and growth in the automotive AI acceleration market. This cross‑functional leadership role combines ecosystem development, business growth, and product strategy. The successful candidate will act as the company’s focal point for the automotive segment, helping to define our positioning, drive customer engagements, and ensure our technology and roadmap align with automotive market needs—including functional safety and reliability requirements. As the automotive business scales, this role will evolve into the leadership of a dedicated automotive business line.

Key Responsibilities

• Market and Ecosystem Development: Build and nurture relationships across the OEM and Tier 1 ecosystem, including semiconductor partners, software vendors, and research institutions; represent Axelera in EU‑funded automotive and AI projects, acting as sponsor and ensuring proper execution and alignment with company objectives; drive Axelera’s presence in key automotive industry forums, standards groups, and partnerships.
• Business Development: Lead the response to RFIs, RFQs, and partnership inquiries from automotive customers; develop marketing and positioning materials to promote Axelera’s technology in the automotive landscape; identify strategic business opportunities and establish pilot programs or joint development activities with key players.
• Product and Market Strategy: Produce Market Requirements Documents (MRDs) that capture the evolving needs of the automotive AI acceleration market; collaborate closely with the product and engineering teams to define product features, functional safety requirements (ASIL, ISO 26262), and long‑term roadmap alignment; translate customer and ecosystem insights into clear product priorities and differentiation strategies.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in the automotive semiconductor, software, or systems industry, with exposure to OEM or Tier 1 programs.
• Strong understanding of automotive electronics architecture, AI/ADAS systems, and functional safety standards (ISO 26262).
• Proven experience managing cross‑functional programs spanning business development, engineering, and partnerships.
• Demonstrated success in market entry or ecosystem development for emerging technologies.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills across technical and executive audiences.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, capable of building structure and momentum in an emerging business area.

Location

We offer a flexible working arrangement. Options include working from one of our Axelera AI offices (Florence and Milan in Italy, Amsterdam and Eindhoven in the Netherlands, Leuven in Belgium, Paris in France, Zurich in Switzerland, or Bristol in the United Kingdom) if you are already based nearby; working fully remotely from any European country (incl. the UK) you are already in; or relocating with us and working from Amsterdam or Eindhoven in the Netherlands, or Bologna, Florence or Milan in Italy.

What We Offer

As part of a dynamic, fast‑growing international organization, we offer an attractive compensation package, including a pension plan, extensive employee insurances and the option to receive company shares. An open culture that supports creativity and continuous innovation is awaiting you. Collaborative ownership and freedom with responsibility is characteristic of how we act and work as a team.

At Axelera AI, we wholeheartedly embrace equal opportunity and hold diversity in the highest regard. Our steadfast commitment is to cultivate a warm and inclusive environment that empowers and celebrates every member of our team. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to join us in shaping the future of AI.