CROSS-DOMAIN
COMPUTING
SOLUTIONS DIVISION
Hironori K.
Driver Experience
Engineering Systems and SW
Engineering Technologies and Services Department
General Manager
Joined Bosch in 2015
Making use of experience as a software engineer, even without a background in the industry
At university and graduate school, I was involved in particle physics, and later spent two years researching at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) in Geneva, Switzerland, where the Higgs boson was discovered. After that, I was thinking about continuing on the path of academia, but I chose to find employment because I wanted to see the wider world outside. Because of my interest in global business and the environment in which a Ph.D. can play an active role, I got a job at a major foreign-affiliated telecommunications manufacturer and was in charge of developing embedded software.
However, the business of the department I was in was closed, and I decided to change jobs to a field where I could make use of my experience in software development. It wasn't that I especially liked automobiles. I chose Bosch because it provides products that are indispensable to society. I also was attracted by the stability of the industry in Japan. Plus, I could make use of my experience in software development even if the industry was different. In addition, there were few opportunities in my previous job to launch the products I was in charge of to the public, so I was also attracted to the fact that automobiles are closely connected to the lives of many people.
A culture that makes it easy for people from both Japanese and foreign-affiliated companies to play an active role
My first assignment after joining Bosch was in the development of software for airbags. Initially, I started developing algorithms as a software engineer, then I was the team leader from the second year, and the project manager from the third year onwards. Although the products I handled were different from my previous job, I was able to make use of my knowledge of physics and development experience from my previous job, so I did not have any difficulties after joining the company.
In terms of culture, Bosch, which is headquartered in Germany, is closer to Japan than American companies, so I think it is easy for people from Japanese companies to be active. On the other hand, the attitude of actively speaking up is also welcome, so it was easy for me to fit in as a type of person who eagerly expresses my views. My impression is that Bosch is a company that combines the good points of both Japanese companies and Western companies.
In fact, from my first year with the company, even now looking back I feel that I have been able to do things freely, such as going to Germany of my own volition and having direct discussions with the platform team, and proposing and getting Bosch concepts recognized by customers in Japan.
Mission to expand the organization and promote platform development in Japan
In April 2021, I was transferred to the current Cross-Domain Computing Solutions Division, and in January of the following year, I was appointed as General Manager. I believe that the background to this is my attitude of continuing to be proactive. I like to try new things one after another, so the speedy advancement of my career at Bosch is a driving force of motivation, and I never tire of it.
My current mission is to expand the organization and promote the development of a platform for driver assistance functions in Japan, which until now has been focused in Germany. I would like to further develop an environment where software engineers can play an active role and enhance their development competence. The launch of a platform development is a rare opportunity to experience, even across the industry, and the members of our division are as passionate about this challenge as I am.
The current field of driving assistance and automated driving has a great impact on the world, and there is no doubt that it is a challenging and rewarding field. Together with people like me who have a proactive mindset, I would like to promote platform development originating in Japan.
Daily Schedule
9:30-10:00
Start work
Start working from home
Check email, etc.
10:00-11:00
Technical Information Exchange Meeting
Exchange of technical information within the division
11:00-12:00
Project
Progress Review
12:00-13:00
Lunch
Today's lunch is curry at a restaurant near home
15:00-16:00
General Manager Activities
Follow-up open points (organizational strategy, HR, etc.)
18:00-19:00
Dinner
Spending time with family
