Stefan Brugger

Principal Embedded Software & Systems Architect with more than 25 years of experience designing, developing, modernizing, and integrating complex real-time embedded platforms. Combines long-standing architecture and technical ownership with deep hands-on experience in embedded C/C++, ARM-based SoCs, FPGA technologies, multicore DSPs, FreeRTOS, TI SYS/BIOS, and Embedded Linux. Strong track record of translating product and application needs into modular, maintainable, and reusable platform architectures.

Technically close to implementation throughout the product lifecycle, including platform bring-up, system integration, debugging, root cause analysis, and architecture reviews across hardware and software boundaries.

Principal Embedded Systems Architect at AVL List GmbH (2007-01 – Present)

Official title: Senior Embedded Software Developer. Held technical and architectural ownership of modular embedded platforms for automotive measurement and validation products from initial concept through long-term product support.

• Translated product, application, and customer needs into software and system architectures, interface definitions, platform capabilities, and actionable technical requirements.
• Defined HW/SW partitioning, real-time processing concepts, communication structures, and integration strategies across heterogeneous embedded platforms.
• Structured reusable platform building blocks across product variants and generations, balancing maintainability, extensibility, performance, reliability, and long-term compatibility.
• Remained hands-on in embedded C/C++ development, RTOS-based firmware, platform bring-up, debugging, system integration, and root cause analysis across hardware and software boundaries.
• Led architecture reviews, technical trade-off decisions, and cross-functional engineering activities involving software, hardware, FPGA, validation, production, product management, and customer-facing teams.
• Supported automated validation and CI/CD workflows using Git, Azure DevOps, Artifactory, and multi-target build pipelines.

Embedded Software Engineer and Test System Architect at AVL List GmbH (2000-01 – 2007-12)

• Designed automated validation and test systems for embedded measurement platforms.
• Contributed to architecture and deployment of embedded automotive platforms.

Test and Support Engineer at AVL List GmbH (1999-01 – 2000-12)

• Customer-facing engineering role supporting deployment and troubleshooting of embedded systems.
• Delivered technical workshops and helped customers apply complex measurement solutions.

Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Engineering – Graz University of Technology (1999-01 – 2006-12)

HTL in Information Technology & Business Administration – Higher Technical College (HTL) Villach (1993-01 – 1998-12)