Software Engineer, Embedded Linux

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced Embedded Linux Engineer to lead the development of our software platform from scratch. As a key member of our team, you will be responsible for taking a custom-built board and getting Linux to boot and run reliably on it. You will also ensure the stack remains maintainable as we ship and update units in the field.

Key Responsibilities

• Board bring-up: Take freshly fabricated carrier boards from assembly to reliable booting, proving out power, memory, and communication interfaces hands-on with hardware.
• Bootloader & kernel configuration: Stand up the bootloader and configure the Linux kernel to recognize and drive our specific hardware.
• Device drivers & device tree: Describe our custom hardware to Linux and integrate necessary drivers for peripherals.
• Build & deploy with Nix / NixOS: Own our operating system defined as code, producing reproducible images and building safe update and rollback paths.
• Networking & system services: Configure on-device networking and system services for higher-level software.
• Reliability & maintainability: Build a robust and serviceable platform across the product's life.
• Cross-functional integration: Partner with firmware and hardware teams, sitting at the hardware-software boundary.

What We're Looking For

• Top-notch engineering intuition and first-principles thinking for designing complex products.
• Ability to independently identify critical information gaps and apply effort to close them.
• Comfort with imperfect information and making sound decisions.
• Persistence in finding root causes through data-driven methods.
• Collaboration and teamwork, breaking down information silos.

Qualifications

Required

• BS in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of experience building and shipping embedded Linux on custom hardware.
• Proven board bring-up experience.
• Hands-on experience with the boot chain: bootloader, kernel configuration, drivers, and device tree.
• Fluency in C/C++ and the embedded Linux toolchain.
• Exposure to embedded communication interfaces.

Preferred

• Experience with Nix/NixOS.
• Experience with OS configuration as code, Yocto, Ansible.
• Production Rust experience.
• Familiarity with ARM SoCs/SoMs on custom carrier boards.
• Background in automotive, aerospace, defense, robotics, or energy.

Role Requirements

• Onsite role based in San Bruno, CA.
• Willingness to support 10% travel domestically and internationally.
• Ability to work extended and weekend hours when necessary.
• Physical demands: working on feet for extended periods, lifting and carrying 50lbs.

Compensation

A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $130,000-$180,000 annually. Compensation packages also include early-stage equity and access to company-sponsored benefit plans.