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Embedded Linux Jobs in San Jose, CA (NOW HIRING)

Amazon

Embedded SDE II, HW Compute Group

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

As a Linux Kernel and Board Support Package (BSP) Development Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining Linux BSPs for embedded systems. Key focus areas include ...

Amazon

Embedded SDE II, HW Compute Group

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

As a Linux Kernel and Board Support Package (BSP) Development Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining Linux BSPs for embedded systems. Key focus areas include ...

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Embedded Linux information

See San Jose, CA salary details

$98.4K

$158.1K

$222.1K

How much do embedded linux jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for embedded linux in San Jose, CA is $158,076.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,700.00 and $188,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an embedded Linux job involve?

An Embedded Linux job involves developing, configuring, and maintaining Linux-based operating systems for embedded systems, such as IoT devices, automotive ECUs, and industrial controllers. Responsibilities typically include kernel customization, device driver development, bootloader optimization, and system performance tuning. Engineers in this role work with hardware components, real-time constraints, and system security while ensuring reliability and efficiency. Knowledge of C/C++, shell scripting, Yocto, and debugging tools is often required.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the embedded Linux position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Embedded Linux professional, you need strong programming skills in C/C++, a solid understanding of Linux kernel architecture, and experience with embedded systems design. Familiarity with cross-compilation, build systems like Yocto or Buildroot, and debugging tools such as GDB, as well as certifications like Embedded Linux Engineer (ELE), are often advantageous. Problem-solving ability, teamwork, and effective communication are vital soft skills in this role. These competencies are crucial for developing reliable embedded applications and collaborating efficiently on hardware-software integration projects.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of someone working in an embedded Linux role?

In an Embedded Linux position, your daily tasks often include developing and debugging kernel modules, configuring drivers, optimizing system performance, and ensuring compatibility with various hardware platforms. You may also be responsible for maintaining build systems, implementing security features, and collaboratively troubleshooting issues with hardware and software teams. Documentation and cross-functional communication are important to align development efforts. This hands-on role involves a blend of coding, system analysis, and problem-solving, contributing directly to the functionality and stability of embedded products.

What are the most commonly searched types of Embedded Linux jobs in San Jose, CA? The most popular types of Embedded Linux jobs in San Jose, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Embedded Linux jobs in San Jose, CA? For Embedded Linux jobs in San Jose, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Embedded Linux jobs in San Jose, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Embedded Linux jobs in San Jose, CA are:
Embedded Linux jobs near you
Infographic showing various Embedded Linux job openings in San Jose, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $158,076 per year, or $76 per hour.

Software Engineer, Embedded Linux

Chariot Defense

San Bruno, CA • On-site

$130K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

About the Role 

We're looking for an Embedded Linux Engineer to own that software platform from the ground up, taking a bare, custom-built board and getting Linux to boot and run reliably on it, then keeping that stack maintainable as we ship and update units in the field. You'll be the engineer responsible for embedded platforms are built, deployed, and updated across Amphora and future products. Our team comes from Tesla, Anduril, Apple, Archer, and the U.S. military, and we're already fielded across DoD exercises. This is a high-ownership, hands-on role that sits right at the hardware-software boundary.

Key Responsibilities 

  • Board bring-up: Take freshly fabricated carrier boards from freshly assembled to reliably booting - methodically proving out power, memory, and communication interfaces, hands-on with hardware on the bench.

  • Bootloader & kernel configuration: Stand up the bootloader and configure the Linux kernel so it correctly recognizes and drives our specific hardware.

  • Device drivers & device tree: Describe our custom hardware to Linux and integrate the drivers needed to talk to peripherals that aren't found in any standard catalog.

  • Build & deploy with Nix / NixOS: Own our operating system defined as code - producing reproducible, identical images and building safe update and rollback paths for fielded units.

  • Networking & system services: Configure on-device networking and the system services our higher-level software depends on.

  • Reliability & maintainability: Build the platform so it stays robust and serviceable across the product's life, under the conditions a defense product actually faces.

  • Cross-functional integration: Partner closely with the firmware and hardware teams, sitting at the seam between low-level hardware and the software that runs on top of it.

What We're Looking For 
  • Top-notch engineering intuition and first principles thinking toward designing complex products that function seamlessly for your customer, taking both an engineering/ technical, and product/ customer approach, to strike the optimal balance. 
  • Able to independently identify critical information or priority gaps and apply effort toward closing those gaps. 
  • Undaunted by imperfect, incomplete or absent datasets or information, and capable of making sound, comprehensive, and swift first-principled decisions to achieve a product end-state that meets and/or exceeds the need of the hour.
  • Not satisfied by superficial explanations of a problem or "band-aid engineering"; seeks persistently to find the specific root cause through data-driven methods, and resolve failures or recurring issues, so they can be mitigated to prevent future such instances. 
  • Gratified by helping your peers succeed, building a robust team culture, and propagation deep camaraderie amongst your peers; seeks to break down information silos by collaborating rigorously with others to solve problems, share knowledge, and provide input. 
Qualifications Required: 

  • BS in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or equivalent demonstrated experience.

  • 3+ years building and shipping embedded Linux on custom hardware.

  • Proven board bring-up experience, from powered-off to reliably booting.

  • Hands-on with the boot chain: bootloader, kernel configuration, drivers, and device tree.

  • Fluent in C/C++ and the embedded Linux toolchain (cross-compilation, JTAG, serial debug).

  • Exposure to embedded communication interfaces (CAN, SPI, I2C, UART) at the OS and driver level.

Preferred: 

  • Experience with Nix/NixOS.

  • Experience with OS configuration as code, Yocto, Ansible.

  • Production Rust experience.

  • Familiarity with ARM SoCs/SoMs on custom carrier boards.

  • Background in automotive, aerospace, defense, robotics, or energy.

Role Requirements
  • This position is an onsite role based in Chariot Defense's San Bruno, CA, office. 
  • Willingness to support 10% travel, domestically and internationally, as well as work extended and weekend hours, when necessary.

A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $130,000-$180,000 annually. Compensation packages also include early-stage equity and access to company-sponsored benefit plans. 

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