Site Director / Site Manager – ITALY (Lecce)
Cortus SAS ·
ppCortus is a fabless semiconductor manufacturing group with a presence in several EU countries. The company designs and sells RISC-V microcontrollers (MCUs) and AI inference chips for automotive and avionics markets.br/Cortus develops a broad portfolio of proprietary IP and provides a complete software ecosystem, including IDE, compiler, debugger, SDK, and development boards.br/Over 18 billion devices have been produced using Cortus processors and IP, with around 1.2 billion units shipped annually.
Cortus is also one of the dozen Platinum Founding Member of the RISC-V Foundation.br/To support our continued growth, we are seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Site Director / Site Manager to lead and expand our engineering and business activities in Lecce. /p h3bRole Overview /b /h3 pThe Site Director / Site Manager will be responsible for the overall success of the Lecce site, including people leadership, operational execution, business development support, academic partnerships, and long-term strategic growth.br/This position requires a hands‑on leader capable of building high‑performing teams, developing relationships with customers and institutions, and creating an environment where innovation and engineering excellence can thrive.br/The successful candidate will work closely with executive leadership, engineering teams, universities, and industry partners to develop and manage the Lecce site as a center of excellence for automotive software, embedded systems, artificial intelligence, and RISC‑V technologies, driving innovation, talent development, and strategic growth.br/The primary objective of this role is to drive technical and organizational excellence in the development of Software‑Defined Vehicle (SDV) technologies and platforms. /p h3bKey Responsibilities /b /h3 ul liLead the day‑to‑day operations of the Lecce site. /li liDefine and execute site growth plans aligned with company objectives. /li liFoster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. /li liEnsure effective communication between local teams and global management. /li /ul h3bTeam Building and Talent Development /b /h3 ul liRecruit, develop, and retain high‑potential engineers and technical professionals. /li liEstablish a strong engineering culture focused on learning, ownership, and technical excellence. /li liSupport employee growth through mentoring, coaching, and career development initiatives. /li liCollaborate with HR to attract top talent from universities and industry. /li /ul h3bBusiness Development Support /b /h3 ul liSupport customer engagement activities and technical discussions. /li liIdentify opportunities for strategic partnerships and new business initiatives. /li liRepresent Cortus at industry conferences, trade shows, and technical events. /li liStrengthen relationships with automotive, industrial, aerospace, and semiconductor ecosystem partners. /li /ul h3bAcademic and Research Partnerships /b /h3 ul liDevelop strong collaborations with universities, research centers, and innovation clusters. /li liPromote internship, thesis, and graduate recruitment programs. /li liSupport participation in national and European research projects. /li liExpand Cortus’ visibility within academic and technology communities. /li /ul h3bOperational Management /b /h3 ul liManage site budgets and operational resources. /li liEnsure compliance with company policies and local regulations. /li liMonitor performance indicators and implement improvement initiatives. /li liSupport project planning and resource allocation activities. /li /ul h3bStrategic Growth /b /h3 ul liContribute to the long‑term development of Cortus’ software and semiconductor activities. /li liIdentify opportunities to expand local competencies in embedded systems, AI, RISC‑V, automotive software, and Software‑Defined Vehicle technologies. /li liHelp establish the Lecce site as a strategic innovation hub within the Cortus group. /li /ul h3bQualifications /b /h3 pWe are looking for a leader who combines strong management capabilities with a passion for technology and people development. /p h3bRequired /b /h3 ul liDegree in Engineering, Computer Science, Electronics, Business Administration, or a related field. /li liExperience leading engineering, technology, research, or innovation teams. /li liStrong organizational and project management skills. /li liExcellent interpersonal and communication abilities. /li liProven ability to build and motivate multidisciplinary teams. /li liAbility to engage effectively with customers, partners, universities, and public institutions. /li liStrong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills. /li liFluent English and Italian. /li /ul h3bWe value /b /h3 ul liMotivation to build deep expertise in automotive and Software‑Defined Vehicle (SDV) technologies. /li liLong‑term commitment to personal growth, team development, and organizational success. /li liStrong ownership mentality with clear accountability for results and deliverables. /li liHigh standards of integrity, reliability, and professional ethics. /li liEntrepreneurial mindset with the ability to initiate and build new technical and organizational activities. /li liPassion for innovation and emerging technologies. /li liCommitment to developing people and fostering high‑performing engineering teams. /li liStrategic thinking combined with strong execution capability. /li liAbility to build and maintain strong relationships across technical, business, and academic ecosystems. /li /ul h3bNice to Have /b /h3 ul liExperience in semiconductors, embedded systems, automotive, aerospace, or software industries. /li liFamiliarity with RISC‑V, AI, embedded software, or Software‑Defined Vehicle technologies. /li liExperience managing research and development organizations. /li liKnowledge of public funding programs and European research initiatives. /li liExperience working in international and multicultural environments. /li /ul h3bWhy Join Us /b /h3 ul liLead the development of a strategic Cortus engineering site in Southern Italy. /li liPlay a key role in shaping future automotive, AI, and RISC‑V technologies. /li liBuild and develop high‑performing engineering teams. /li liWork directly with executive leadership and global technology partners. /li liCreate lasting impact on the growth and success of an innovative semiconductor company. /li liContribute to the development of one of Europe’s most promising RISC‑V technology ecosystems. /li /ul /p