Director Strategic Partnerships (Semiconductor) San Jose, CAAbout Ethernovia, Inc. Ethernovia is developing the future of Ethernet-based networks to realize the full potential of software-defined and autonomous vehicles, robotics and other intelligent machines. Founded in 2018, the company's breakthrough data transport and acceleration technology is ushering in a new era of connectivity and capabilities in the vehicle and at the edge, including highly reliable autonomy, over-the-air servicing and AI-backed applications. Ethernovia's co-founders are serial technology entrepreneurs with multiple prior successful ventures together. We are well-funded and backed by some of the worlds' leading technology investors, having secured $154M ($90+M Series-B and $64M Series-A) in total funding to date: Ethernovia Raises Over $90 Million Series B to Scale Leading-Edge Autonomy and Physical AI Networking Chips Ethernovia Raises $64 Million to Accelerate the Revolution of Vehicle Networks | Business Wire(financial backers include: Porsche SE, Qualcomm, AMD, Western Digital, Maverick Silicon, Socratic Partners, Conduit Capital, and CDIB-TEN Capital) Ethernovia has been recognized in EE Times' prestigious list of the Top 100 Startups for 2025.March 2026: Ethernovia Announces HSB-Enabled Networking Board for NVIDIA Holoscan Platforms January 2024: Our CEO Ramin Shirani Named MotorTrend Software-Defined Vehicle Innovator Awards Winner September 2023: Continental and Ethernovia Announce Partnership to Develop Automotive Switch in 7nmConnected Car News: Helios, Continental, Ethernovia, Avanci, BMW, Mapbox, Porsche, SEMA, Honda, UltraSense, Flex Logix, Diodes Inc., Garmin, Toyota & Caruso | auto connected car news With talented employees on 4 continents, we have filed 50+ patents to date. Join Ethernovia's team to make a lasting impact on the future of packet processor-centric networking solutions to support the real-time sensor, Physical AI, and control data demands of software-defined autonomy across vehicles, robots and intelligent machines. Come share in our success with pre-IPO shares, competitive compensation, and great benefits while growing your knowledge and career with world class talent. We are looking for talented engineers and leaders who have an entrepreneurial spirit and want to drive cutting edge designs from concept to silicon to the future of mobility. Director of Strategic Partnerships (Semiconductor)
Summary:
You will build and maintain strong relationships with leading AI platform companies, across their Automotive and Robotics organizations, in engineering, product, platform architecture, procurement, and executive leadership teams, within the key partner's organizations. This is a Hybrid-based position based in San Jose, CA.
Key Responsibilities:
Represent Ethernovia as a trusted long-term technology partner and work closely with customer and ecosystem teams to position Ethernovia solutions within Automotive and Robotics reference designs and platform roadmaps. Coordinate cross-functionally with internal engineering, product, marketing, and executive teams to support strategic engagements and drive execution. Identify new partnership opportunities across adjacent product areas, emerging platform programs, developer ecosystems, and joint go-to-market initiatives. Provide structured market and competitive intelligence to Ethernovia leadership including insights into partner priorities, industry direction, and evolving trends in AI infrastructure, networking, robotics, and autonomous systems. Significant experience working with leading AI, semiconductor, or infrastructure companies and understand how large technical organizations operate and make decisions. Engage directly with semiconductor hardware architects, engineering teams, and senior business leaders and bring strong technical knowledge of Ethernet networking, high-speed interconnects, SerDes, PHY/MAC architectures, and sensor connectivity for AI or autonomous systems. Think strategically about ecosystems, platform adoption, and long-term market positioning rather than focusing only on transactions.
Required Experience & Skills:
Semiconductor Industry Veteran: 12+ years of experience in strategic partnerships, business development, or technical sales within Semiconductors, AI infrastructure, networking, or HPCExisting relationships across the Silicon Valley AI and semiconductor ecosystem Strong technical understanding of Ethernet networking, high-speed interconnects, SerDes, PHY silicon or sensor networking architectures Experience driving silicon or platform technologies into strategic customer programs or reference designs Proven ability to navigate large cross-functional organizations and complex partnership cyclesB.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field requiredM.S. or MBA preferred
Nice to Have:
(The "Competitive Advantage"):Experience with ROS / ROS2, Isaac Sim, CUDA, etc
Understanding and experience of OSI network layers 2+Experience of Ethernet switches and understanding of IEEE802.1 protocolsExperience with TSN protocolsExperience with PCIe protocols and topologies
Personal Skills:
- Excellent communication/documentation skills with ability to discuss technical or business information from Engineering to C-suite executives
- Attention to details
- Strong internal collaboration skills across product, engineering, marketing, and executive team located throughout the world
- Highly self-directed, organized, and proactive with strong follow-through. Able to work effectively both independently and in a team
- Ability to identify organizational dynamics and key decision makers inside large companies
- Entrepreneurial mindset with willingness to travel frequently and spend significant time onsite with partners
- What You Can Expect From Ethernovia:
- Technology depth and breadth expansion that can't be found in a large company
- Opportunity to grow your career as the company grows
- Pre IPO stock options
- Cutting edge technology
- World class team
- Competitive base salary
- Flexible hours
- Medical, dental and vision insurance for employees
Salary Range:
The actual offered base salary for U.S. locations will vary depending on factors such as work location, individual qualifications, specializations, years of experience, skills, job-related knowledge, and internal equity. The annual salary range for this position is $200,000 - $275,000. The compensation package will also include incentive compensation in the form of pre-IPO ISO options, as well as eligibility for performance bonuses, in addition to base salary and a full range of medical and other benefits. Principals Only (No Agencies)LI-Hybrid
