Head of Platform Abstraction & Software System Integration (m/f/d)
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The Head of Platform Abstraction & Software System Integration is responsible for defining, delivering, and governing the software layers that decouple hardware from the Digital Ecosystem. This role ensures that hardware-dependent functionality is abstracted through scalable, reusable platform services, reducing hardware dependency and enabling rapid, flexible software development across device generations and product lines.
In addition, the position owns the end-to-end software system integration strategy across Platform, B2B, and B2C domains, ensuring all software components come together to form a cohesive, reliable, high-quality full software system. This includes leadership of the integration & build process, establishing a staged Continuous Integration (CI) model, and implementing a Software Factory that continuously monitors the health, stability, and progress of ongoing development.
What you will do
1. Platform Abstraction & Middleware Leadership
Define and drive the strategy for Hardware Abstraction Layers (HAL), middleware frameworks, platform APIs, and shared platform services.
Ensure all abstraction and middleware components are scalable, reusable, hardware-agnostic, and aligned with ecosystem needs.
Deliver stable, well-documented platform interfaces for embedded, cloud, mobile, and partner development teams.
Own release responsibility for the complete Platform Abstraction & Middleware layer.
2. End-to-End Software System Integration
Lead the integration of all Platform, B2B, and B2C software components into a complete, validated software system.
Define integration architecture, dependency management processes, and overarching system alignment.
Ensure consistency, interoperability, and architectural compliance across device firmware, middleware, cloud, mobile apps, and third-party systems.
Establish governance and review processes to ensure integration readiness and technical alignment across teams.
3. Ownership of CI/CD & Build Infrastructure
Create and maintain a company-wide staged Continuous Integration pipeline, ensuring structured progression from:
Unit and component-level CI
Subsystem and middleware integration
Platform-level integration
Cross-domain system integration (Platform, B2B, B2C)
Full Software System build, validation, and release
Define automated quality gates, regression safeguards, and integration criteria.
Ensure efficient, reliable build systems and automation aligned with development and software system test organizations.
4. Establish & Operate a Software Factory
Build the organizational structure, processes, and monitoring systems of a modern Software Factory.
Continuously track integration health, software stability & technical debt, build quality, release readiness and progress against milestones
Provide real-time dashboards and alerts to leadership and development teams.
Drive transparency and predictability in all system-level software development.
5. Cross-Functional Collaboration
Interface closely with all stakeholders and departments wherever necessary.
Align architecture, timelines, interfaces, and integration strategies across all software-producing teams.
Act as the escalation point for cross-domain integration issues and systemic technical blockers.
6. Quality, Security & Compliance
Ensure abstraction, middleware, and integration components follow secure-by-design and reliability best practices.
Align with QA/System Test on system-level quality KPIs and ensure their enforcement through CI pipelines.
Drive continuous improvement, and long-term architectural stability.
What you bring
Experience
Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or similar.
10+ years in embedded systems, middleware/platform engineering, or system integration.
Demonstrated experience in leading software platform teams or integration organizations.
Proven track record establishing CI/CD pipelines and managing complex multi-domain build & test processes.
Experience integrating embedded, cloud, mobile, and B2B/B2C systems preferred.
Deep knowledge of hardware abstraction, middleware frameworks, platform APIs, and system-level architecture.
Expertise in CI/CD systems, build automation, integration pipelines, and software quality monitoring.
Experience with embedded OSes (RTOS, Linux), distributed cloud architectures, and mobile app ecosystems.
Proficiency in integration tooling, automation frameworks, and DevOps methodologies.
Personal competencies
Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence across teams and organizational layers.
Clear, structured communication style—able to translate complex technical topics into actionable plans.
Collaborative mindset with strong conflict resolution abilities.
High ownership, accountability, and strategic thinking.
What we offer



Who we are
Our products - help millions of people regain their hearing and quality of life. This is what drives us every day!
Our social responsibility - sustainability is not just an idea for us, it is part of our business purpose. Together with you, we can continue to make the world a better place!
Creative freedom - your ideas are welcome and you can try out new solutions.
Individual responsibility - you can actively shape, decide and, most importantly, move things forward with us.
Personal development - trying, learning and reflecting are part of our DNA.
Internationality - as a global player, you will have the opportunity to work with colleagues in different parts of the world.
At WSA, we provide innovative hearing aids and hearing health services.
Together with our 12,000 colleagues in 130 countries, we invite you to help unlock human potential by bringing back hearing for millions of people around the world.
With us, you will become part of a truly global company where we care for one another, welcome diversity and celebrate our successes.
Sounds wonderful? We can't wait to hear from you.
WSA is an equal-opportunity employer and committed to creating an inclusive employee experience for all. Regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, disability, military or veteran status we firmly believe that our work is at its best when everyone feels free to be their most authentic self.
- Department
- Research & Development
- Role
- Software & Digital Solutions
- Locations
- Erlangen, Germany
- Employment type
- Full-time
Erlangen, Germany
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