Axelera AI
Axelera AI is not your regular deep‑tech startup. We are building the next‑generation AI platform to help advance humanity and improve the world around us. In three years we have raised $120 million and built a world‑class team of 180+ employees, including 55+ PhDs, across 11 countries. Our Metis™ AI Platform achieves a 3‑5× increase in efficiency and performance, with 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, defining positioning, driving customer engagements, and ensuring 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 responses 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 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
Flexible working arrangement with options to work from one of Axelera AI offices (Florence, Milan, Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Leuven, Paris, Zurich, Bristol) or fully remotely from any European country (incl. the UK).
Relocation supported for work in Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Bologna, Florence, or Milan.
What we offer 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.
We offer an attractive compensation package, including a pension plan, extensive employee insurance, and the option to receive company shares. An open culture that supports creativity, continual innovation, collaborative ownership, and responsibility awaits you.
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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, defining positioning, driving customer engagements, and ensuring 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 responses 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 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
Flexible working arrangement with options to work from one of Axelera AI offices (Florence, Milan, Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Leuven, Paris, Zurich, Bristol) or fully remotely from any European country (incl. the UK).
Relocation supported for work in Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Bologna, Florence, or Milan.
What we offer 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.
We offer an attractive compensation package, including a pension plan, extensive employee insurance, and the option to receive company shares. An open culture that supports creativity, continual innovation, collaborative ownership, and responsibility awaits you.
#J-18808-Ljbffr