Site Director / Site Manager – ITALY (Lecce)

General Description Cortus 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. Cortus develops a broad portfolio of proprietary IP and provides a complete software ecosystem, including IDE, compiler, debugger, SDK, and development boards. 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. 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. Role Overview The 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. 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. 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. The primary objective of this role is to drive technical and organizational excellence in the development of Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) technologies and platforms. Key Responsibilities Site Leadership • Lead the day-to-day operations of the Lecce site. • Define and execute site growth plans aligned with company objectives. • Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. • Ensure effective communication between local teams and global management. Team Building and Talent Development • Recruit, develop, and retain high-potential engineers and technical professionals. • Establish a strong engineering culture focused on learning, ownership, and technical excellence. • Support employee growth through mentoring, coaching, and career development initiatives. • Collaborate with HR to attract top talent from universities and industry. Business Development Support • Support customer engagement activities and technical discussions. • Identify opportunities for strategic partnerships and new business initiatives. • Represent Cortus at industry conferences, trade shows, and technical events. • Strengthen relationships with automotive, industrial, aerospace, and semiconductor ecosystem partners. Academic and Research Partnerships • Develop strong collaborations with universities, research centers, and innovation clusters. • Promote internship, thesis, and graduate recruitment programs. • Support participation in national and European research projects. • Expand Cortus’ visibility within academic and technology communities. Operational Management • Manage site budgets and operational resources. • Ensure compliance with company policies and local regulations. • Monitor performance indicators and implement improvement initiatives. • Support project planning and resource allocation activities. Strategic Growth • Contribute to the long-term development of Cortus’ software and semiconductor activities. • Identify opportunities to expand local competencies in embedded systems, AI, RISC-V, automotive software, and Software-Defined Vehicle technologies. • Help establish the Lecce site as a strategic innovation hub within the Cortus group. Qualifications We are looking for a leader who combines strong management capabilities with a passion for technology and people development. Required • Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Electronics, Business Administration, or a related field. • Experience leading engineering, technology, research, or innovation teams. • Strong organizational and project management skills. • Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities. • Proven ability to build and motivate multidisciplinary teams. • Ability to engage effectively with customers, partners, universities, and public institutions. • Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills. • Fluent English and Italian. We value • Motivation to build deep expertise in automotive and Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) technologies. • Long-term commitment to personal growth, team development, and organizational success. • Strong ownership mentality with clear accountability for results and deliverables. • High standards of integrity, reliability, and professional ethics. • Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to initiate and build new technical and organizational activities. • Passion for innovation and emerging technologies. • Commitment to developing people and fostering high-performing engineering teams. • Strategic thinking combined with strong execution capability. • Ability to build and maintain strong relationships across technical, business, and academic ecosystems. Nice to Have • Experience in semiconductors, embedded systems, automotive, aerospace, or software industries. • Familiarity with RISC-V, AI, embedded software, or Software-Defined Vehicle technologies. • Experience managing research and development organizations. • Knowledge of public funding programs and European research initiatives. • Experience working in international and multicultural environments. Why Join Us • Lead the development of a strategic Cortus engineering site in Southern Italy. • Play a key role in shaping future automotive, AI, and RISC-V technologies. • Build and develop high-performing engineering teams. • Work directly with executive leadership and global technology partners. • Create lasting impact on the growth and success of an innovative semiconductor company. • Contribute to the development of one of Europe’s most promising RISC-V technology ecosystems.