Remote Linux Kernel Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Who We Are; What We Do; Where We're Going
Magnet Forensics is a global leader in the development of digital investigative software that acquires, analyzes, and shares evidence from computers, smartphones, tablets, and IoT-related devices. We are continually innovating so our customers can deploy advanced and effective tools to protect their companies, communities, and countries.
Serving thousands of customers globally, our solutions are playing a crucial role in modernizing digital investigations, helping investigators fight crime, protect assets, and guard national security.
With employees based around the world, Magnet Forensics has been expanding our global presence. As a part of Magnet Forensics, you can expect to make a difference in the world, no matter what role you play. You'll be supported through learning and development, not to mention an incredible team with unbelievable talent and integrity.
If you think you would be the right person to join our team working towards this goal, we would love to hear from you!
Role Overview
We are hiring an Embedded Linux Engineering Leadto lead embedded Linux development for custom hardware products. This is a player/coach role with an expected split of roughly 50% technical leadership and 50% hands-on development.
The right candidate will personally contribute to the company's embedded Linux platform, in addition to planning the team's work, ensuring effective delegation, and keeping engineers focused on near-term execution priorities.
For a strong performer, this role is expected to grow into a formal people-management position within 6-12 months.
Note: Candidate must reside in The United States.
Success Profile
The ideal candidate is a Senior Embedded Linux Engineer who wants to lead without stepping away from the code too early. They can personally solve difficult technical problems, but they also know how to organize work, focus on a team, delegate effectively, and create momentum.
This role is designed for someone with credible growth potential into formal engineering management. It is an ideal opportunity for a strong technical performer to try leading a team.
What You'll Do
The Embedded Linux Engineering Lead will provide day-to-day technical and execution leadership for the embedded Linux function. This includes translating platform goals into actionable work, setting priorities, coordinating assignments, reviewing technical direction, and ensuring the team remains focused on the most important near-term objectives.
The role will also remain hands-on. The Team Lead will contribute directly to bootloader, kernel, device tree, root filesystem, build system, update system, board bring-up, debugging, and release work. They will work closely with hardware, firmware, QA, manufacturing, security, and application software teams to deliver reliable Linux-based products.
As the team grows, the Team Lead will progressively take on more formal leadership responsibilities, including planning, mentoring, hiring input, performance feedback, and team ownership.
What We're Looking For

• Strong embedded Linux experience on custom hardware platforms.
• Willingness to lead a small technical team of embedded engineers.
• Strong C, Python, and/or shell scripting skills.
• Practical experience with Linux kernel configuration, device trees, bootloaders, root filesystems, board support packages, and build systems (e.g. Buildroot, Yocto, etc)
• Proven ability to debug low-level hardware/software integration issues.
• Clear written and verbal communication.

Nice To Have

• Prior experience as a technical lead, team lead, or senior engineer responsible for coordinating other engineers.
• Experience with secure boot, signed updates, encrypted storage, or device identity.
• Experience with production update systems for embedded Linux: SWUpdate, RAUC, Mender, Hawkbit, or similar.
• Experience with production concerns for Linux devices: image generation, factory provisioning, diagnostics, or manufacturing test.
• Experience with ARM SoCs, NXP i.MX, Xilinx/Zynq/Kria, FPGA SoCs, or similar platforms.

Compensation & Benefits
The Compensation range is for the primary location for which the job is posted. Please note that the actual compensation may vary depending on location and job-related factors such as qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills. If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location and you are selected for an interview, the Talent Acquisition Partner can share more information with you. If the compensation structure for the role includes an incentive component (i.e. most Sales roles) the range below represents total target compensation (TTC) (base salary + variable).
$148,000 - $198,000 (USD) a year
Salary range (min - max)
Position Type: New Vacancy
Magnet is proud to offer benefits such as:
- Generous time off policies
- Competitive compensation
- Volunteer opportunities
- Reward and recognition programs
- Employee committees & resource groups
- Healthcare and retirement benefits
Indicators of Success
We're looking for someone who checks off most, but not all, of the boxes listed in "skills and experiences". It's more important to us to find candidates who can display indicators of success through skills they have developed and experiences they have been a part of, than to find folks who have "been there, done that". We want to be part of your development journey, and we'll learn as much from you as you learn from us.
How We Work
At Magnet Forensics, we take a hybrid-flexible approach to support your productivity and work-life balance. If you're within a comfortable travel distance to one of our offices, you'll occasionally join us in person. How often you'll come in depends on your department and team needs, typically ranging from weekly to monthly. These in-person moments help us build stronger connections, spark new ideas, and celebrate our successes together. Most days, you can choose what works best for you, while staying in tune with your team's goals.
We're excited to welcome you to our team and look forward to achieving great things together - both in the office and wherever you work best!
The Most Important Thing
We're looking for candidates that can provide examples of how they have demonstrated Magnet CODE in their previous experiences:
CARE - We care about each other and our mission to make a difference in the world.
OWN - We are accountable for our results - while never forgetting to act with integrity, empathy, and respect.
DEDICATE - We put our heart and soul into meeting the needs of our customers and helping them serve the people they protect.
EVOLVE - We are constantly innovating and exploring new ways to work together to make an impact with our work.
Here at Magnet Forensics, we are committed to continuous learning and are focused on building a diverse and inclusive workforce. This commitment will be reflected in our hiring processes and embedded in our values and how we treat one another. If you're interested in this role, but do not meet all of the qualifications listed above, we encourage you to apply anyways.
Magnet Forensics is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics or any other basis forbidden under federal, provincial, or local law. We are committed to providing an inclusive, accessible recruitment process and work environment. Accommodation is available to all applicants upon request throughout the hiring process. Please contact [email protected] should you require any accommodations.
All offers of employment at Magnet are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check. All background checks will be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws. Magnet will consider each position's job duties, among other factors, in determining what constitutes satisfactory completion of the background check. Refusal to consent to a background check may be grounds for revoking an offer of employment.
US Applicants: Magnet Forensics participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
Magnet Forensics handles and uses personal data of job applicants in line with its Recruitment Privacy Policy found here
Magnet does not use artificial intelligence (defined as a machine-based system that infers from input to generate outputs such as predictions, content, recommendations, or decisions) for screening, assessing, or selecting applicants. Should this practice change, we will update this disclosure accordingly.