About the company
This is a senior technical leadership opportunity focused on shaping the architecture, development, and delivery of a large-scale Linux kernel platform. You will operate in a globally distributed environment with strong emphasis on open-source engineering, autonomy, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
- Set technical direction and lead the delivery of a team of junior and mid-career engineers working on key areas of the Linux kernel and distribution.
- Lead architecture, implementation, and ongoing delivery initiatives across kernel performance, correctness, security, packaging, and large-scale distribution.
- Drive technical engagements with silicon and cloud partners to develop and deliver optimal solutions for their platforms.
- Lead efforts to mitigate common vulnerabilities and exposures while driving proactive kernel hardening and security improvements.
- Architect and implement enhancements that improve Linux kernel performance, reliability, scalability, and correctness.
- Develop and improve approaches for packaging and distributing complex third-party components to provide a reliable experience for end users.
- Investigate and develop new methods for delivering Linux systems at scale while maintaining demanding quality standards and delivery schedules.
- Collaborate closely with senior technical leaders, management, external teams, and engineering stakeholders to coordinate initiatives and ensure successful delivery.
- Coach and guide engineers through technical challenges, knowledge sharing, and professional development, providing leadership without formal people-management responsibilities.
- Represent technical initiatives and coordinate adoption across internal teams, external partners, and broader engineering organizations.
Requirements
- Demonstrated expertise in operating system kernel development, Linux systems, or low-level systems engineering, with a technical background comparable to 15+ years of industry experience.
- Expert-level knowledge of the C programming language.
- Extensive experience working with a Unix-like operating system kernel and distribution; direct Linux experience is highly valuable but equivalent kernel expertise may also be relevant.
- Strong experience with Python and Bash scripting.
- Deep understanding of Git and its capabilities for complex software development and collaboration workflows.
- Experience developing with software packaging formats, with Ubuntu, Debian, or Snap experience highly regarded.
- Strong leadership capabilities, including the ability to influence engineers, coordinate technical initiatives, and drive projects through to completion.
- Experience working with customer, partner, or other external technical engagements.
- Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.
- Highly organized, motivated, and capable of working independently in a distributed environment.
- Strong interpersonal skills, initiative, accountability, curiosity, and a results-oriented mindset.
- Ability to communicate complex technical concepts and clearly connect technology decisions to business and customer outcomes.
- Strong background in RTOS and real-time performance analysis is an advantage.
- Experience with kernel patching and debugging is desirable.
- Expertise in device drivers, Board Support Packages (BSPs), and other low-level systems engineering is a plus.
- Experience with Rust, particularly in relation to Linux kernel development, is advantageous.
- Willingness and ability to travel internationally at least twice a year for team events lasting up to two weeks.
Conditions
- Globally distributed work environment with opportunities to collaborate across international engineering teams.
- Twice-yearly in-person team sprints and opportunities to meet colleagues in different locations.
- Compensation determined according to geographic location, experience, and performance.
- Annual compensation review, with additional reviews where appropriate to recognize exceptional performance.
- Performance-driven annual bonus or commission.
- Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year.
- Recognition rewards.
- Annual holiday leave.
- Maternity and paternity leave.
- Team Member Assistance Program and Wellness Platform.
- Opportunities to travel internationally and meet colleagues across the organization.
- Priority Pass access and long-haul travel upgrades for qualifying company events.