Linux Software Architect - eLxr Distribution

Aptiv; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Health, dental, and life insurance

Disability coverage

RRSP matching

LinkedIn Learning access

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Wind River, an Aptiv company, is seeking an experienced Linux Software Architect to lead the architecture and technical evolution of eLxr, a Debian-based Linux distribution for enterprise, edge, and mission-critical deployments. You will shape a scalable, secure platform across telecoms, aerospace, industrial, and automotive markets.

You will collaborate across engineering, product management, customers, and open-source communities, drive architectural reviews, mentor engineers, and ensure

Qualifications

• 10+ years in Linux software development, operating systems, or platform engineering.
• 3+ years in software architecture or technical leadership roles.
• Deep expertise in Debian-based distributions, Linux internals, Debian packaging, and APT repository management.
• Experience designing secure, production-grade Linux platforms, including lifecycle management and hardware enablement.
• Strong understanding of CI/CD, security frameworks, SBOMs, and release automation.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the architecture and technical roadmap for the eLxr Linux distribution.
• Lead packaging, distribution infrastructure, system services, security, release engineering, and long-term support strategies.
• Architect secure software delivery, repositories, update mechanisms, and enterprise deployment workflows.
• Guide hardware enablement and platform integration across supported architectures.
• Mentor engineers and drive technical consensus across teams; engage with open-source communities.

Skills

Linux development

Debian packaging

Cloud & containers

C/C++

Rust

Go

Python

Debian contributions

Linux internals

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering

Tools

APT repository management

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

Azure

Google Cloud

Job description

Role Summary Wind River (an Aptiv company) is seeking an experienced Linux Software Architect to lead the architecture and technical evolution of eLxr, a commercial Debian-based Linux distribution designed for enterprise, edge, and mission-critical deployments. In this highly influential technical role, you will shape a scalable, secure, and maintainable platform supporting Telecommunications, Aerospace, Industrial, and Automotive markets. You will work across the full software lifecycle and collaborate with engineering, product management, customers, partners, and open-source communities to transform complex requirements into robust Linux platform solutions.

Your Role

Define and maintain the software architecture and technical roadmap for the eLxr Linux distribution and its supporting ecosystem.

Lead the evolution of package management, distribution infrastructure, system services, security frameworks, release engineering, and long-term support strategies. Architect secure software delivery, package repositories, update mechanisms, and enterprise deployment workflows. Guide hardware enablement and platform integration across supported architectures. Partner with product management, customers, and engineering teams to translate business and technical requirements into scalable platform capabilities. Lead architecture reviews and major design initiatives, ensuring technical quality, consistency, security, and adherence to engineering best practices. Mentor engineers and technical leads, driving technical consensus across teams. Build effective engagement with relevant open-source communities and contributors.

Your Background

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, with 10+ years of experience in Linux software development, operating systems, or platform engineering.

3+ years of experience in software architecture or technical leadership roles, with demonstrated ability to drive architectural decisions and technical consensus.

Deep expertise in Debian-based Linux distributions, Linux internals, Debian packaging, and APT repository management.

Experience designing secure, production-grade Linux platforms, including distribution customization, lifecycle management, hardware enablement, and platform integration.

Strong understanding of software architecture, security frameworks, secure software supply chains, SBOMs, CI/CD, and release automation.

Experience with cloud and container technologies such as AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Docker, Podman, or Kubernetes.

Proficiency in one or more relevant programming languages such as C, C++, Rust, Go, or Python; contributions to Debian, the Linux kernel, or related open-source projects are highly valued.

Why join WindRiver/Aptiv?

You grow with us. Aptiv’s winning culture is global by design. We bring together diverse perspectives, cultures, and business contexts to solve our customers’ toughest challenges. In this environment, every individual can grow, lead, and make an impact, regardless of background, because inclusion fuels how we innovate and win.

You make an impact. One of the strengths of humanity is our drive to progress, improve, and achieve more tomorrow than we did yesterday. People need solutions they can trust when it matters most. At Aptiv, you are building those solutions every day. You have support. We ensure you have the resources and support you need to take care of your family, physical health, and mental health through a competitive benefits package.

Your Benefits:

• Hybrid work model for workplace flexibility
• Comprehensive health, dental, and life insurance
• Short and long-term disability coverage
• RRSP matching for financial security
• Flexible time-off policies for work-life balance
• Employee assistance program for mental well-being
• Learning benefits, including a LinkedIn Learning subscription and seminars
• Meet the Next Generation.

At WindRiver, we deliver innovative solutions that people trust when it matters most. Progress is never static. It is about reaching further, exploring new possibilities, and enabling mobility. WindRiver empowers customers to create solutions people rely on, advancing safety and autonomy in Automotive and Commercial Vehicles, enabling mission-critical performance in Aerospace & Defense, and powering intelligent systems across Energy, Enterprise, and Telecommunications.

We also drive precision and efficiency in Industrials & Robotics and support life-critical innovation in Medical technologies. Guided by our winning culture and values to Think & Act Like Owners, as One Team, and Play to Win, we turn commitment into results and achieve more together.

#LI-AL3 Join Us to Deliver Innovative Solutions That People Trust!

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Aptiv is a global industrial technology company enabling automated, electrified and digitalized solutions across multiple end markets. People trust us to deliver innovations that will help them progress, improve and achieve more tomorrow than they did yesterday.

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