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Embedded Linux Software Engineer Jobs in California

AstroForge

Embedded Flight Software Engineer

Seal Beach, CA · On-site

$136K - $179K/yr

... Engineer to join our innovative team. The chosen candidate will play a pivotal role in developing ... Develop and maintain embedded software for microcontroller & embedded Linux systems, ensuring ...

Omni Inclusive

Software Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

Porting 3D gaming engines (Unreal, Unity3D) to Linux for embedded products * In-depth knowledge of ... system software Required Education: * Bachelor's degree in computer/electrical engineering ...

Beyond SOF

Sr Embedded Software Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$138K - $180K/yr

OS experience, especially RTOS (bare metal and embedded Linux a plus) * Experience with ... Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical, Computer, or Software Engineering desired. Bachelor of ...

Beyond SOF

Sr Embedded Software Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$138K - $180K/yr

OS experience, especially RTOS (bare metal and embedded Linux a plus) * Experience with ... Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical, Computer, or Software Engineering desired. Bachelor of ...

Skydio, Inc

Software Engineer - Embedded

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$127K - $210K/yr

Our team is responsible for large portions of the software engineering stack, working on a wide ... Embedded linux userspace and kernel development * Fundamental knowledge of low-level firmware

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Embedded Linux Software Engineer information

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

To thrive as an Embedded Linux Software Engineer, you need strong proficiency in C/C++ programming, Linux kernel and device driver development, and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with build systems (e.g., Yocto, Buildroot), version control tools like Git, and debugging tools such as GDB are typically required. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills that help address complex technical challenges. These skills and qualifications ensure robust, efficient software solutions for embedded systems that meet industry standards and project demands.

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

AspectEmbedded Linux Software EngineerEmbedded Software Developer
CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields; knowledge of Linux systemsBachelor's in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related fields; programming skills
Work EnvironmentDeveloping Linux-based embedded systems, often in hardware-focused companiesCreating embedded software across various platforms, including non-Linux systems
Industry UsagePrimarily in IoT, automotive, consumer electronics, and industrial automationBroadly in consumer electronics, medical devices, automotive, and industrial sectors

Embedded Linux Software Engineers specialize in developing software for Linux-based embedded systems, focusing on kernel, driver, and system integration. Embedded Software Developers have a broader scope, working on embedded software across multiple platforms, not limited to Linux. Both roles require strong programming skills and knowledge of embedded systems, but the Linux-specific expertise distinguishes the Embedded Linux Software Engineer.

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

Embedded Linux Software Engineers often encounter challenges related to hardware-software integration, such as ensuring compatibility between custom drivers and board support packages with the Linux kernel. Debugging low-level issues, optimizing performance for limited resources, and achieving real-time responsiveness are also common hurdles. Collaborating closely with hardware engineers is essential to resolve issues quickly and ensure seamless system operation. Being proactive in understanding hardware schematics and using tools like oscilloscopes and logic analyzers can make integration smoother.

What does an Embedded Linux Software Engineer do?

An Embedded Linux Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software for devices that run on the Linux operating system, typically in environments with limited resources such as IoT devices, automotive systems, or industrial controls. Their work involves configuring Linux kernels, developing device drivers, and optimizing system performance to ensure reliability and responsiveness. They collaborate with hardware engineers, integrate third-party libraries, and often use programming languages like C or C++. The goal is to create stable and efficient software that interacts seamlessly with hardware components.
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What cities in California are hiring for Embedded Linux Software Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Embedded Linux Software Engineer job openings:
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Embedded Linux Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Embedded Linux Software Engineer job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution.
Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Staff Embedded Software Engineer

BrightAI Corporation

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$154K - $203K/yr

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Role Overview
As a Senior/Staff Embedded Linux Engineer at BrightAI, you will help support, maintain, and evolve an existing Yocto-based embedded Linux distribution used in production on custom hardware. This is a hands-on individual contributor role focused on improving platform reliability, maintainability, and scalability as the product and company grow. You will work closely with hardware, firmware, and application teams to support new hardware revisions, improve system behavior, and resolve complex system-level issues. This role also includes providing technical guidance and helping shape how the embedded Linux platform evolves over time.
Responsibilities
  • Support and maintain an existing Yocto-based embedded Linux distribution used in production devices.
  • Improve and extend BSPs, Yocto layers, recipes, and images as hardware and product requirements evolve.
  • Support new hardware revisions and board bring-up, including bootloader configuration, kernel updates, and device tree changes.
  • Debug and resolve complex issues across bootloader, kernel, userspace, and hardware boundaries.
  • Develop and maintain low-level system software in C/C++, working closely with custom hardware.
  • Collaborate with hardware, product, and application teams to integrate new features and improvements into the platform.
  • Improve system reliability, performance, boot time, and debuggability.
  • Contribute to best practices for embedded Linux development, testing, release management, and long-term support.
  • Maintain clear technical documentation for platform behavior, changes, and troubleshooting.
  • Remain hands-on during critical phases such as integration, validation, and field issue resolution.
  • Provide technical leadership for embedded Linux platform improvements.
  • Mentor engineers working on Yocto and system-level software.
  • Influence platform evolution, tooling, and long-term maintenance strategies.
Skills and Expertise
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
  • 6+ years of hands-on experience developing embedded software, primarily on embedded Linux platforms.
  • Strong, hands-on experience with the Yocto Project / OpenEmbedded, particularly maintaining and extending existing distributions.
  • Experience working with BSPs, including bootloaders (e.g., U-Boot), Linux kernel configuration, and device trees.
  • Proficiency in C/C++ for low-level and system software development.
  • Working knowledge of Python, Bash, or similar scripting languages, for build systems and automation.
  • Strong Linux debugging skills using tools such as GDB, strace, dmesg, perf, and ftrace.
  • Solid understanding of embedded system constraints, including performance, memory, storage, and boot time.
  • Experience with hardware interfaces such as I2C, SPI, UART, GPIO, and USB.
  • Experience working with Git, CI/CD pipelines, and collaborative development workflows.
  • Comfortable working in a startup environment with evolving requirements.
  • Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
Bonus Experience
  • Experience with secure boot, system hardening, or embedded Linux security.
  • Familiarity with OTA update systems and device lifecycle management.Experience supporting products through manufacturing and field deployment.
  • Exposure to RTOS or hybrid RTOS/Linux systems.
  • Experience with containerized workloads on embedded Linux (e.g., Docker, Balena).
  • Familiarity with SoCs such as NVIDIA, Qualcomm, or MediaTek.
  • Contributions to open-source embedded Linux or Yocto projects.
Why This Role
  • You'll work on a real, shipping embedded Linux platform, not a greenfield experiment.
  • The focus is on making an existing system better - more reliable, maintainable, and scalable.
  • You'll collaborate closely with hardware and product teams without being expected to "own everything."
  • You'll have meaningful technical impact without constant fire drills or unrealistic expectations.
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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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