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Embedded Linux Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

OLogic, Inc.

Embedded Linux Software Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$50 - $60/hr

As an Embedded Linux Software Engineer, you would get to work on software builds, device drivers, and low-level systems architecture using Yocto Linux, CMake, C, C++., and more. In addition, you will ...

SeeScan

Embedded Linux Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$105K - $155K/yr

About this position SeeScan is seeking a Software Engineer with strong experience in embedded Linux development. You will be responsible for a mix of driver, middleware and application development on ...

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Embedded Linux Developer information

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$135.7K

How much do embedded linux developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for embedded linux developer in California is $108,993.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,700.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Embedded Linux Developers?

Embedded Linux Developers are software engineers who specialize in designing, developing, and maintaining software for embedded systems that run on the Linux operating system. These professionals work on devices such as routers, IoT devices, automotive systems, and industrial machines, integrating Linux-based solutions tailored to hardware constraints. Their responsibilities include configuring the Linux kernel, developing device drivers, optimizing system performance, and ensuring reliable communication between hardware and software components. They must be proficient in C/C++, scripting, and have a strong understanding of Linux internals and embedded hardware.

What are some common challenges faced by Embedded Linux Developers when integrating hardware and software components?

Embedded Linux Developers often encounter challenges such as managing hardware-software compatibility, optimizing system performance, and troubleshooting driver issues. Working closely with hardware engineers, they must ensure that the Linux kernel and device drivers are correctly configured to communicate with custom hardware. Debugging can be complex due to limited system resources and the need for real-time performance. Effective collaboration and strong problem-solving skills are essential for resolving these integration challenges.

What is the difference between Embedded Linux Developer vs Firmware Engineer?

AspectEmbedded Linux DeveloperFirmware Engineer
Required SkillsProficiency in Linux kernel, C/C++, embedded systems, device driversLow-level programming, C/C++, microcontrollers, hardware interfaces
Work EnvironmentEmbedded Linux systems, development boards, Linux-based OSMicrocontrollers, hardware prototyping, real-time systems
Industry UsageConsumer electronics, IoT devices, automotiveConsumer electronics, aerospace, industrial equipment

Embedded Linux Developers focus on developing software for Linux-based embedded systems, working with Linux kernels and device drivers. Firmware Engineers work on low-level hardware programming, often with microcontrollers and real-time systems. While both roles require C/C++ skills and embedded systems knowledge, Embedded Linux Developers typically work in Linux environments, whereas Firmware Engineers focus on hardware-level programming.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Embedded Linux Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Embedded Linux Developer, you need a solid understanding of Linux internals, C/C++ programming, and embedded systems architecture, typically supported by a degree in computer science or electrical engineering. Familiarity with build systems (like Yocto or Buildroot), version control (Git), and debugging tools (GDB, oscilloscope) is crucial. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork help set outstanding developers apart in this role. These abilities ensure reliable, efficient embedded solutions that meet complex technical requirements and integrate seamlessly into larger systems.

What Does an Embedded Linux Developer Do?

As an embedded Linux developer, your duties and responsibilities are to design, test, implement, and integrate software solutions for specific pieces of hardware. Embedded technology often refers to hardware that is not commonly considered a computer, but is controlled by applications or an operating system, such as Linux. These include watches, car engines, and televisions, for example. As an embedded Linux developer, you work closely with programmers, optimization experts, quality assurance technicians, and product engineering designers, as well as all of your external customers.

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Embedded Linux Developer jobs near you
Senior / Staff Linux Embedded Engineer

Senior / Staff Linux Embedded Engineer

BrightAI Corporation

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Senior Linux Embedded Engineer
Role Overview
We are a high-growth company seeking a versatile Senior (or Staff) Embedded Software Engineer to support vertical-specific customizations and platform stability for our production wearable systems. This is a hands-on individual contributor role requiring a generalist capable of navigating system boundaries-from kernel-level debugging to back-end logic and application tailoring.
The ideal candidate brings deep experience with Embedded Linux environments and physical hardware validation. While our next-generation architecture leverages the Go programming language, candidates with strong fundamental computer science and C/C++ backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities
  • System Customization: Lead technical alignment and vertical-specific applications deployment on our production Yocto-based Embedded Linux distribution.
  • Hardware Integration: Support board bring-up and physical hardware validation using low-level protocols, ensuring seamless mapping from simulation to actual edge devices.
  • System Architecture: Collaborate across firmware and application boundaries, leveraging containerized runtime architectures (Docker/Podman) for Edge OS environment isolation.
  • Code Optimization: Debug and resolve multi-processor resource contentions across execution domains (CPU efficiency cores, DSP, NPU), emphasizing power management and thread execution priority adjustments.
  • Process Excellence: Champion strict code quality standards, comprehensive version control processes (Git pull requests, cherry-picking), and early continuous integration pipeline validation.
Required Skills and Experience
  • Experience: 6+ years of hands-on embedded software development experience, primarily with Embedded Linux distributions.
  • Systems Programming: Command of C/C++ with strong computer science fundamentals, runtime architecture optimization, and pointer tracking knowledge.
  • Linux Infrastructure: Solid familiarity with embedded build environments (Yocto Project, recipes, device trees) and low-level system diagnostic tools (GDB, strace, dmesg).
  • Hardware Protocols: Direct experience interface debugging with communication topologies, including I2C, SPI, UART, USB, and GPIO.
  • Workflow Tooling: Advanced proficiency with Git, team collaboration development flows, and structural code reviews.
Preferred / "Nice-to-Have" Skills
  • Go Lang: Prior experience with or conceptual familiarity with the Go programming language (concurrency, dynamic memory footprint tracking). Alternatively, background with Rust or complex multi-threaded architectures.
  • Container Deployments: Exposure to lightweight virtualization constraints and container orchestrations on target edge endpoints (Podman, Docker).
  • Power Management: Experience profiling embedded execution workloads, process scheduling manipulation, and low-power constraint validation.
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About BrightAI

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Software development

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

San Francisco, CA, US

Year founded

2019

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