Principal AI Engineer

Location: Duesseldorf, de

Job Description

As Principal AI Engineer, you will shape the future way of working within our R&D organization through the strategic adoption of Artificial Intelligence.

In this newly created role, you will define the vision, strategy, and roadmap for integrating AI into the product development process and drive the development of new AI-enabled ways of working. You will identify opportunities to improve engineering efficiency, knowledge utilization, innovation speed, and scalability across the entire R&D lifecycle.

As a thought leader for AI-driven engineering productivity, you will operate at the intersection of semiconductor development, software engineering, data analytics, and Generative AI. Leveraging your deep understanding of R&D processes, you will connect emerging AI capabilities with business needs and translate technological innovation into sustainable business value.

Key Responsibilities

AI-Driven Transformation of R&D Processes

• Define and continuously evolve the strategy for leveraging AI within R&D.
• Identify challenges, productivity bottlenecks, and scaling requirements across the product development lifecycle, and derive appropriate transformation initiatives.
• Design and implement future AI-enabled ways of working for the R&D organization.
• Develop a multi-year roadmap to enhance engineering excellence, knowledge management, and innovation capabilities.
• Build sustainable AI transformation capabilities within the R&D organization.
• Monitor relevant technology trends and assess their potential impact on semiconductor development and engineering processes.
• Initiate, evaluate, and scale pilot projects to unlock new AI use cases across R&D.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Advise senior management and R&D leadership on AI-related opportunities, risks, and priorities.
• Lead complex transformation initiatives without direct people management responsibility.
• Establish an organization-wide network of AI champions, technical experts, and innovation leaders.
• Foster a data-driven culture of innovation and automation.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related discipline.
• More than 15 years of professional experience in R&D, Engineering Excellence, Digital Transformation, or Process Automation.
• Proven track record of introducing new technologies, methodologies, or ways of working in technology-driven development organizations.
• Strong understanding of product development processes in hardware, software, systems engineering, or semiconductor technology.
• Experience evaluating and applying modern AI technologies and translating them into practical business applications.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence stakeholders and drive complex cross-functional initiatives.
• Experience with modern software, data, and AI platforms.

Additional Information

Renesas is an embedded semiconductor solution provider driven by its Purpose, To Make Our Lives Easier. With a global team of over 21,000 engineers and problem solvers in more than 30 countries, we offer the opportunity to work on world‑leading technology for Automotive, Industrial, Infrastructure, and IoT, shaping a safer, healthier, greener, and smarter future.

At Renesas, TAGIE is our culture, grounded in being Transparent, Agile, Global, Innovative, and Entrepreneurial. It shapes how we work, grow and deliver on our purpose together. This collaborative spirit and mindset drive our semiconductor technology to transform industries and impact millions of lives.

We believe in rewarding our employees with a competitive benefits package alongside their salary. More information will be provided during the hiring process.

Are you ready to join our team and shape the future with us?

Renesas Electronics is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to supporting diversity and fostering a work environment free of discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military status, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. For more information, please read our Diversity & Inclusion Statement.