Position summary
You lead firmware build and integration for the device - taking software from multiple hardware modules and turning it into one stable, production-ready Linux/ARM image.
Full-time, permanent role on the core team. You work end-to-end with hardware and product - from board bring-up through production units and factory test support.
You own the build system and the integration decisions: how subsystem software comes together, how the image gets built and versioned, and how it moves from a working prototype to something manufacturing can flash at scale.
Key responsibilities
Firmware build and integration
- Build and maintain the embedded Linux firmware for the ARM-based consumer device: custom kernel, device tree and bootloader (U-Boot or equivalent), root filesystem, and general Linux distro selection and support.
- Integrate software from multiple hardware component vendors (SoC, wireless, audio, sensors, storage - as part of the whole device) into one coherent, testable firmware build.
- Own the build system and CI: stable builds, versioning, artefact management, and a clear path to ship updates after launch.
- Set up and maintain cross-compilation toolchains and BSP integration (Yocto, Buildroot, or vendor SDK) for the target ARM SoC.
- Support hardware validation: flashing production images, factory test hooks, debug tooling, and issue triage with the HW team.
- Optimize / tune-up the overall system performance (CPU clock/throttling, DRAM clock, scheduler etc)
- Coordinate with driver and application engineers to align interfaces between subsystems and keep the integrated image stable.
Required qualifications
- 7+ years in embedded Linux or firmware engineering, with at least one or two shipped consumer or IoT products where you owned build and integration end-to-end.
- Deep hands-on experience with embedded Linux on ARM: kernel configuration, device tree, bootloader (U-Boot or equivalent), and root filesystem build.
- Experience with a build system such as Yocto or Buildroot, and with vendor BSPs/SDKs for ARM SoCs.
- Strong C/C++ and shell/Python scripting for build tooling, integration testing, and automation.
- Track record integrating software from multiple hardware modules (radios, audio, sensors, storage) into one stable image.
- Production readiness: built and supported images for factory flashing, production test procedures, and field debugging on real hardware.
- Build and CI for firmware: reproducible builds, artifact versioning, and a path to ship OTA or manual updates after launch.
- Secure FW development 101: security hardening best practices and CVE testing procedures
- Comfortable reading schematics and datasheets, and working directly with hardware engineers.
- Portfolio required: repos, binaries, or case studies showing firmware builds you owned - target platform, build system, and what shipped.
- English B2+: code, docs, vendor communication, and team sync.
Preferred qualifications
- Smart devices, wearables, or consumer IoT hardware.
- Wi-Fi/BLE bring-up, pairing, and reconnect behavior on constrained hardware.
- OTA updates with rollback and A/B or safe-fail behavior.
- Experience with secure boot, image signing, or manufacturing provisioning flows.
- Startup, venture studio, or 0-to-1 hardware product experience.
Technology stack
- Languages: C, C++.
- Embedded Linux: Yocto or Buildroot, U-Boot, device tree, kernel configuration for ARM SoCs.
- Interfaces: I2C, SPI, UART, GPIO; vendor SDKs for the target SoC.
- Practices: Git, Gerrit, firmware CI, JTAG/SWD debug, logic analyzer and oscilloscope debug/testing of the target HW.
- Tooling: AI-assisted IDE (Cursor or similar) for docs, tests, and codegen under your review.
Success metrics
- Embedded Linux/ARM image built, integrated, and stable across all hardware modules on target hardware.
- Production-grade image delivered with support for hardware test and manufacturing flows.
- Build system and CI in place with reproducible builds and a documented update path.