Contract Linux Kernel Engineer Jobs in Austin, TX

Company Overview:

Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup founded by two former Navy electrical engineers with a proven track record in robotics and software. We are developing a small, autonomous gun turret that employs advanced computer vision and control systems to precisely target and neutralize small drones and loitering munitions. Our innovative approach requires overcoming significant technical challenges, making this an exciting and dynamic environment for experienced engineers.

 With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our founders' successful exits from two previous ventures acquired for a combined $180M in 2022, we are committed to ensuring that the groundbreaking technologies we develop have a real-world impact.

Position Overview:
We are seeking a highly skilled Embedded Software Engineer specializing in Jetson hardware platforms and driver development. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience configuring embedded Linux PCs such as NVIDIA Jetson, writing Linux drivers, and integrating custom hardware. You will play a critical role in enabling high-performance computer vision and control applications by ensuring reliable low-level software support for our autonomous systems.

We’re hiring across multiple experience levels, including:

• Associate Embedded Software Engineer

• Embedded Software Engineer

• Senior Embedded Software Engineer

• Staff Embedded Software Engineer

• Senior Staff Embedded Software Engineer

  Your title and level will be determined based on your experience, skills, and the scope of responsibility appropriate for the role.

What You'll Do:

• Develop and maintain Linux kernel drivers for Jetson-based platforms, supporting Ethernet NICs, USB devices, and MIPI cameras.

• Write and optimize drivers for custom PCIe devices, FPGAs, and other high-performance peripherals.

• Configure, customize, and optimize embedded Linux distributions for NVIDIA Jetson platforms to meet performance and reliability requirements.

• Collaborate with hardware and computer vision teams to ensure seamless integration of sensors, accelerators, and custom hardware with embedded software.

• Debug low-level system issues, analyze performance bottlenecks, and implement fixes for real-time applications.

• Produce thorough documentation of driver implementations, hardware interfaces, and configuration processes.

What You'll Need:

• Experience: 3+ years of experience in embedded Linux software development, including driver programming and low-level system configuration.

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.

• Embedded Linux: Strong experience building, configuring, and customizing Linux kernels and drivers for embedded platforms.

• Driver Development: Proven experience writing Linux drivers for Ethernet NICs, USB devices, and MIPI camera interfaces.

• Hardware Interfaces: Familiarity with PCIe and FPGA-based systems.

• Languages: Proficiency in C/C++ for kernel and driver development; Python or Bash for scripting and automation.

• Debugging & Testing: Skilled with low-level debugging tools, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and performance profiling techniques.

You'll Stand Out:

• NVIDIA Jetson Experience: Direct experience developing software and drivers on NVIDIA Jetson platforms.

• Robotics & Autonomy: Exposure to robotic or autonomous systems requiring real-time responsiveness.

• High-Performance Systems: Experience optimizing code for low-latency, high-throughput embedded applications.

• Networking & Protocols: Knowledge of networking protocols (TCP/IP, UDP) and peripheral communication standards (I2C, SPI, CAN, UART).

• Open Source Contributions: Demonstrated involvement in kernel or driver-related open-source projects.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary

• ACS Equity Package

• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

• Paid Time Off

Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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Compensation Range: $134K - $215K