Senior System Engineer – OS Kernel

Aptiv; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Health, dental, and life insurance

Disability coverage

RRSP matching

Vacation and time-off programs

Employee assistance and learning

Job summary

Wind River, an Aptiv company, is seeking a Senior System Engineer to develop core OS kernel components for the VxWorks RTOS. You will design, implement, test, and debug low-level operating system technologies powering mission-critical embedded systems.

You will work with experienced engineers to deliver secure, reliable software using Agile processes and CI/CD, and you will debug complex issues, write designs, and perform thorough code reviews.

Qualifications

• Strong OS concepts and kernel development experience.
• Experience with RTOS and embedded software.
• Proficiency in C; knowledge of C++/Python an asset.
• Experience with low-level drivers and architecture-level development.
• Familiarity with DO-178C, ISO 26262, ASPICE, or military standards is an asset.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop core OS kernel components for the VxWorks embedded RTOS.
• Design, implement, test, and deliver high-quality software using Agile methodologies and a CI/CD development model.
• Investigate, debug, and resolve complex issues identified through product verification or reported by customers.
• Create technical designs and documentation for new operating system capabilities.
• Conduct code reviews and contribute to software quality, reliability, performance, and security.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to integrate hardware and software solutions.
• Support low‑level platform development, including device drivers, BSP board bring‑up, and architecture‑specific functionality.
• Drive assigned projects from requirements and design through implementation, delivery, and release.

Skills

C programming

RTOS

Embedded software

OS kernel

Device drivers

BSP bring-up

Python

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical discipline

Tools

Assembly

BSP bring-up

CI/CD

Job description

Role Summary

Wind River (An Aptiv Company) is seeking a Senior System Engineer – OS Kernel to contribute to the development of core kernel components for the VxWorks real-time operating system. In this role, you will design, implement, test, and debug low-level operating system technologies that power mission‑critical intelligent systems.

You will collaborate with experienced engineers and cross-functional teams to deliver secure, reliable, and high‑performance embedded software. This opportunity is ideal for an engineer with strong C programming, operating system, and RTOS development experience who enjoys solving complex technical challenges.

Your Role

• Develop core operating system technologies and kernel components for the VxWorks embedded RTOS.
• Design, implement, test, and deliver high-quality software using Agile methodologies and a CI/CD development model.
• Investigate, debug, and resolve complex issues identified through product verification or reported by customers.
• Create technical designs and documentation for new operating system capabilities.
• Conduct code reviews and contribute to software quality, reliability, performance, and security.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to integrate hardware and software solutions.
• Support low‑level platform development, including device drivers, BSP board bring‑up, and architecture‑specific functionality.
• Drive assigned projects from requirements and design through implementation, delivery, and release.

Your Background

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Strong understanding of operating system concepts and hands‑on experience developing core OS or kernel functionality.
• Experience with RTOS and embedded software development.
• Strong proficiency in C programming; experience with assembly, C++, Python, or other development languages is an asset.
• Experience with low‑level device drivers, BSP board bring‑up, or architecture‑level development is preferred.
• Familiarity with industry certification standards such as DO-178C, ISO 26262, ASPICE, or applicable military standards is an asset.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to independently drive technical projects through completion.

Why Join Wind River?

• You grow at Wind River. Work alongside experienced engineers developing technologies that power mission‑critical systems across aerospace, defense, automotive, industrial, medical, and telecommunications industries.
• You make an impact at Wind River. Contribute to the core operating system technologies behind some of the world’s safest, most secure, and reliable intelligent systems.
• You have support at Wind River. Access competitive benefits, workplace flexibility, learning resources, and well‑being programs designed to support your professional development and overall health.

Your Benefits at Wind River

• Hybrid workplace flexibility.
• Company‑sponsored health, dental, and life insurance.
• Short‑term and long‑term disability coverage.
• Matching RRSP program.
• Vacation and additional time‑off programs supporting work‑life balance.
• Employee assistance, mental well‑being, and professional learning programs.

Meet Wind River

Wind River is a global leader in delivering software for mission‑critical intelligent systems. For more than four decades, the company has been an innovator and pioneer, powering billions of systems that require the highest levels of security, safety, and reliability.

Wind River helps customers across automotive, aerospace, defense, industrial, medical, and telecommunications industries solve complex technology challenges on their journey toward the new intelligent machine economy. The company’s software powers generation after generation of the safest, most secure systems in the world. Examples include playing a key role in NASA space missions such as Artemis I, the James Webb Space Telescope, and multiple Mars rovers. We’ve achieved recent 5G milestones including the world’s first successful 5G data session with Verizon and building one of the largest Open RAN networks in the world with Vodafone.

The company has received industry recognition for its technology innovation and leadership, and for its workplace culture, including global Great Place to Work certification and being named a "Top Workplace" for ten consecutive years. If you want to be part of a unique culture where the lived experience is based on our cultural attributes of growth mindset, customer‑focus, and diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging, come join us and help advance the future software‑defined world.

Applicant Privacy Notice

Your privacy is of the utmost importance to us. Wind River strictly adheres to all applicable data privacy laws. Please review Wind River’s Applicant Privacy Notice for additional information about how applicant data is collected, processed, and protected.

Wind River is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

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Join Wind River and help advance the future of a safer, more secure, and connected software-defined world.

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Aptiv is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.