Automotive Business Development Manager (m/f/d) – Software

AI is rapidly moving beyond research labs and into the real world—powering advancements in vehicles, factories, hospitals, homes, and everyday devices. NXP's Global Sales organization is the force that transforms our intelligent edge vision into meaningful market impact. We operate at the forefront of innovation, delivering real-world AI, secure edge intelligence, and breakthrough technologies to the customers shaping tomorrow's world.

As a strategic partner at the intersection of customer ambition and NXP capability, our global sales team drives alignment, opens new markets, and builds lasting relationships that lead to design wins and revenue growth. Through deep market insight and long-term collaboration, we embed customer-centricity into every decision and help accelerate innovation at the system-solution level. This disciplined, client-first mindset enables us to architect integrated, future-ready solutions that deliver sustained value and strengthen NXP's competitive advantage.

We thrive in an environment that combines high ownership with strong team spirit—where bold thinking, purposeful execution, and shared success go hand in hand. If you want to make a meaningful impact, grow professionally, and collaborate with the people building what's next, NXP Global Sales is where ambition becomes achievement.

Software-defined vehicles are reshaping software architecture, increasing software complexity, and changing how automotive software is developed, integrated, and deployed. NXP is looking for a dedicated and collaborative Business Development Manager who can build a comprehensive view of the automotive software landscape and work with customers to create value that accelerates their transformation toward software-defined vehicles. This role is critical to driving sustainable growth for NXP by advancing a software-first approach with OEM and Tier-1 customers.

The Software Business Development Manager is responsible for driving NXP's growth by engaging deeply with OEM and Tier1 customers' SW R&D management, technical communities, and program decision-makers, in full coordination with Account Managers, FAEs, and the business development team.

The role combines new business generation with the ability to nurture and expand established strategic partnerships.

• Support account managers in expanding footprint at key EMEA OEMs and Tier1s and securing early entry points for new SW programs.
• Build trusted relationships with SW R&D leaders, system architects, technical program owners, and platform strategists within OEMs, Tier1s, and ecosystem partners.
• Identify, qualify, and pursue new software opportunities across the entire NXP automotive portfolio (MotionWise, CoreRide, SDV platforms, safety and security SW, etc.) in alignment with regional and global sales strategy.
• Serve as the primary customer interface for NXP's software portfolio, including standard software such as real-time drivers and RTOS, as well as premium software products, while positioning NXP solutions within customer roadmaps.
• Devise strategies to make SW a control point for NXP to enable system sell and create long-term stickiness of NXP solutions.
• Lead and support CI/CD initiatives.

• Help build a robust opportunity pipeline across prioritized accounts.
• Lead early-stage discussions (evaluations, PoCs, Design Win opportunities), ensuring smooth handover internally.
• Support large-scale serial program pursuits by engaging both technical and commercial stakeholders.

• Collaborate closely with account managers, FAEs, Product Line, and SW R&D teams, and  peers from other regions.
• Contribute to training and enablement of regional Sales teams on the Software Customer Journey.

• Monitor SDV market evolution, competitive landscape, and customers' SW architecture strategies.
• Provide structured feedback to Sales, Product Line, and Marketing organizations to refine roadmap and value proposition.

• Solid experience (10–15 years) in software, automotive domains, or SDV-related technical sales and ecosystem development.
• Bachelor's degree in EE/CSE or a related field.
• Proven ability to communicate and sell complex technical/software offerings to OEM and Tier1 R&D communities.
• Strong influencing and relationship-building skills with both technical and management stakeholders.
• Experience working with international, cross-functional teams in a collaborative environment.
• Self-directed and adaptable, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and drive early-stage engagements.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills; fluent English required, German is an advantage.
• Willingness to travel regularly to customer sites.
• Experience in DevOps and CI/CD is a plus.
• A collaborative team mindset and commitment to shared success.