Freelance Linux Kernel Development Jobs in Washington

At Two Six Technologies, we build, deploy, and implement innovative products that solve the world's most complex challenges today. Through unrivaled collaboration and unwavering trust, we push the boundaries of what's possible to empower our team and support our customers in building a safer global future.
Overview of Opportunity
Two Six Technologies is looking for a Technical Product Engineering Lead to join our team in Arlington, Virginia. This person will serve as the technical team lead for one of our hardware security products. They will own the end-to-end technical vision and design decisions that span hardware, FPGA, embedded firmware, and software. In addition to setting technical direction, you will be a hands-on team member working alongside other passionate, motivated engineers across hardware, FPGA, and software disciplines. You will help rapidly transition new prototype products to larger-scale production in service of important national security missions.
Responsibilities Include:

• Serve as the technical team lead, owning the end-to-end system architecture and technical roadmap across hardware, FPGA, embedded firmware, and software. Lead the engineering team through key architectural and design tradeoff decisions across hardware/FPGA/embedded/software boundaries, ensuring a cohesive, secure system design.
• Act as the primary technical point of contact and decision-maker for the product.
• Lead the planning and execution of a group of tasks associated with one or more technical projects or functions, managing task prioritization and schedule management.
• Provide technical guidance, direction, and mentorship to engineering team members.
• Mature proof-of-concept R&D technology to operational fieldable solutions.
• Develop testing strategies and lead the implementation of unit, integration, and hardware-in-loop test regimens to ensure high reliability and resilience in delivered products.
• Lead the effort to minimize maintenance overhead of a growing product suite by applying scalable and modular design methodologies.
• Engage in technical exchanges with transition partners and key stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience serving as a technical lead, architect, or similar role leading engineering work across one or more disciplines (e.g., hardware, FPGA, and software)
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer/Electrical Engineering, or related technical domain
• Minimum of 7 years of experience with two or more of the following modern programming languages: Python, C , C++, Embedded C, Rust, Go
• Strong experience with Embedded Linux, including Yocto-based build systems
• Linux kernel development experience (drivers, subsystems, or kernel-space debugging)
• Experience working alongside FPGA and hardware teams
• Experience with testing, CI/CD pipelines, and virtual machine test ranges
• Experience deploying secure systems (e.g., secure boot, disk encryption, key management)
• Familiarity applying classical cryptographic algorithms (RSA, ECDSA, AES, SHA).
• Strong leadership and project management skills, with the ability to mentor junior engineers and drive technical execution.
• Ability to work on-site when required for hardware work in Arlington, VA

Nice to haves:

• Experience developing and/or customizing bootloaders such as WolfBoot, implementing secure firmware update using digital signatures
• Hands-on experience with PCIe (device drivers, enumeration, or hardware bring-up)
• Experience shipping and iterating on production software in customers' hands
• Graduate degree in Computer Science, Computer/Electrical Engineering, or related Scientific Domain
• Familiarity with validation and/or certification frameworks such as FIPS 140-3, NIAP, CSfC, or others
• Familiarity with post-quantum cryptographic algorithms and their trade-offs in their applications

Security Clearance:

• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a DoD clearance up to Top Secret level

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Two Six Technologies is committed to providing competitive and comprehensive compensation packages that reflect the value we place on our employees and their contributions. We believe in rewarding skills, experience, and performance. Our offerings include but are not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, retirement benefits, paid leave, tuition assistance and professional development.
The projected salary range listed for this position is annualized. This is a general guideline and not a guarantee of salary. Salary is one component of our total compensation package and the specific salary offered is determined by various factors, including, but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills, geographic location, as well as contract specific affordability and organizational requirements.
Salary Range
$189,353-$245,000 USD
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Two Six Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, hair type and protective hair styles (e.g., braids, twists, locs and twists)), color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions and lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age (40 and over), marital status, disability, genetic information, and protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. For more information review the Two Six Technologies Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Policy and the EEO Poster.
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