Yocto Kernel - Embedded Linux Engineer

Yocto Kernel - Embedded Linux Engineer

Location & Work Model

· On-site: Andover, MA

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Yocto Kernel / Embedded Linux Engineer to design, develop, customize, and maintain embedded Linux platforms for our next-generation products. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in the Yocto Project, Linux kernel customization, BSP development, and low-level system debugging.

Key Responsibilities

· Develop, configure, and optimize Yocto-based Linux distributions for embedded platforms.

· Customize and maintain Linux kernel, including patching, driver integration, and board-specific configuration.

· Create and manage BSP layers, recipes, and meta-layers for various hardware platforms.

· Integrate and maintain device drivers (I2C, SPI, UART, GPIO, etc.) and ensure hardware–software compatibility.

· Debug system-level issues using tools such as GDB, strace, perf, ftrace, and kernel logs.

· Support bootloader (U-Boot) configuration, customization, and optimization.

· Collaborate with hardware, firmware, and application teams to ensure seamless system integration.

· Conduct performance tuning, system profiling, and memory optimization for embedded targets.

· Ensure security best practices, including secure boot, trusted execution, and Linux hardening.

· Prepare technical documentation, build instructions, and release notes.

Required Skills & Qualifications

· Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.

· 3–8+ years of hands-on experience in embedded Linux development.

· Strong expertise in the Yocto Project, BitBake recipes, layers, and cross-compilation.

· Solid understanding of Linux kernel internals, configuration, customization, and debugging.

· Experience writing or modifying Linux device drivers.

· Proficiency with embedded toolchains, build systems, and version control (Git).

· Experience with bootloaders (U-Boot) and board bring-up.

· Strong knowledge of hardware interfaces (I2C, SPI, GPIO, PCIe, USB, etc.).

· Fluent in C/C++ and shell scripting.

· Hands-on experience with ARM-based or similar embedded architectures.

Preferred / Nice-to-Have Skills

· Experience with Yocto-based CI/CD pipelines.

· Knowledge of real-time patches (PREEMPT_RT).

· Familiarity with virtualization or container technologies (Docker, LXC) for embedded use.

· Exposure to security frameworks (SELinux, AppArmor).

· Understanding of OTA update frameworks (Mender, SWUpdate).

· Knowledge of networking stacks (TCP/IP, IPv6) and protocol debugging.

Soft Skills

· Strong problem-solving and root-cause analysis ability.

· Excellent communication skills and ability to work in cross-functional teams.

· Ownership mindset and ability to work independently.

· Strong documentation and organizational skills.