Senior Embedded Linux Engineer (m/f/d)

Q.ANT; Baden-Württemberg; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Q.ANT in Germany is seeking a Senior Embedded Linux Engineer (m/f/d) to take technical ownership of our embedded Linux stack for photonic AI accelerators. You will build and maintain custom Linux images, kernels, and drivers, interfacing real-time hardware through MMIO, AXI, PCIe, SPI, I2C, and UART.

Work closely with R&D software, processor architects, and digital design engineers; mentor junior staff; contribute to RAS tasks and field deployments.

Qualifications

• MSc/MEng in Computer Science/Computer Engineering or equivalent industry experience considered
• 3+ years of hands-on experience building custom Linux images and device drivers
• 3+ years of experience in low-level software development and RTOS
• Deep understanding of the Linux build system
• Hands-on experience interfacing on-chip and off-chip components via MMIO, AXI, PCIe, SPI, I2C, UART
• Understanding of services design in a Linux environment
• Solid command of C/C++ and Python; experience with Yocto and/or PetaLinux
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and agile development methodology.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the in-house embedded Linux stack and embedded software for our photonic AI accelerators
• Develop and maintain custom Linux images (Yocto/PetaLinux) as well as kernel and device drivers
• Interface on-chip and off-chip components via MMIO, AXI, PCIe, SPI, I2C, and UART under real-time requirements
• Define and develop host-Linux-based components, including Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS) tasks in the Linux host system
• Establish best practices, tools, and methods for building custom Linux and embedded software solutions
• Coach and develop junior and mid-level engineers
• Collaborate closely with R&D software engineers, processor architects, and digital design engineers
• Ensure successful bring-ups and field deployments

Skills

C/C++

Python

Linux

RTOS

CI/CD

Education

M.Sc./M.Eng. in Computer Science or Computer Engineering

Tools

Yocto

PetaLinux

Zephyr RTOS

Job description

The future of AI computing is light, not electrons.

At Q.ANT, we are building photonic processing systems that compute with light-delivering a scalable, energy-efficient alternative to transistor-based architectures for next-generation AI and high-performance computing.

As Senior Embedded Linux Engineer (m/f/d), you take technical ownership of our embedded Linux stack: from custom Linux images and kernel/device drivers to production-ready field deployments. You'll work with technologies such as Yocto, PetaLinux, and Zephyr RTOS, actively shaping the interface between photonic hardware and software.

Your Impact & Responsibilities

• Define and own the in-house embedded Linux stack and embedded software for our photonic AI accelerators
• Develop and maintain custom Linux images (Yocto/PetaLinux) as well as kernel and device drivers
• Interface on-chip and off-chip components via MMIO, AXI, PCIe, SPI, I2C, and UART under real-time requirements
• Define and develop host-Linux-based components, including Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS) tasks in the Linux host system
• Establish best practices, tools, and methods for building custom Linux and embedded software solutions
• Coach and develop junior and mid-level engineers
• Collaborate closely with R&D software engineers, processor architects, and digital design engineers
• Ensure successful bring-ups and field deployments

Your profile

• M.Sc./M.Eng. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field; equivalent industry experience also considered
• 3+ years of hands-on experience building custom Linux images and device drivers
• 3+ years of experience in low-level software development and RTOS
• Deep understanding of the Linux build system
• Hands-on experience interfacing on-chip and off-chip components via MMIO, AXI, PCIe, SPI, I2C, UART
• Understanding of services design in a Linux environment
• Solid command of C/C++ and Python; experience with Yocto and/or PetaLinux
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and agile development methodology.

Why us?

• Work on the leading edge: Photonic AI acceleration technologies that will define the next decade of computing - already validated in production HPC environments
• Make impact at scale: Help solve one of computing's biggest challenges-making growing demand in compute and sustainability go hand in hand
• Own your work from day one: Broad autonomy and decision authority with direct impact on product success and the future of AI infrastructure
• Fast-track your growth: Work on challenges with few industry precedents-every problem you solve becomes new institutional knowledge and potentially industry-defining IP
• World-class team: Collaborate alongside a passionate, international, cross-functional team of experts in photonics, processor design, and AI systems
• Direct access to leadership: Work closely with the company’s founders, including CEO Dr. Michael Förtsch, and the Q.ANT senior leadership team
• Collaborative culture: Innovative work environment that values technical excellence, open communication, and pragmatic problem-solving
• Be part of history: Join at the inflection point where photonic computing transitions from research to mainstream-your contributions will shape this transformation