Staff Engineer - Linux Kernel Developer

GlobalFoundries; Pune District; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

GlobalFoundries in Pune seeks a Staff Engineer to lead Linux kernel bring-up for a 64-bit RISC‑V MPU SoC. You will drive Linux SDK development, boot flow enablement, BSP integration, and Device Tree work with architecture, hardware, and software teams.

You will perform pre- and post-silicon validation on FPGA and emulation, create tests, and upstream fixes. Deep technical ownership across stack and growth on a strategic platform are offered.

Qualifications

• B.E./B.Tech or M.E./M.Tech in Computer or Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 3–5 years of embedded Linux platform/BSP development experience.
• Expert-level C programming with low-level firmware reading ability.
• Strong Linux internals knowledge: boot flow, MMU, SMP, interrupts.
• Hands-on SoC bring-up ownership mindset for BSP quality.

Responsibilities

• Linux SDK development, validation, and release of a 64-bit RISC‑V MPU SDK.
• Enable boot flow, early platform init, U-Boot, and OpenSBI.
• Drive kernel/BSP enablement: SoC bring-up, Device Tree, memory/interrupts.
• Develop and debug device drivers (multimedia, connectivity, DMA, clocks).
• Deliver SDK releases with integration, validation, and docs.
• Pre- and post-silicon validation using FPGA, emulation, and virtual platforms.
• Develop platform tests; root-cause HW/FW/kernel issues.
• Cross-functional work with architects, hardware, and safety teams.
• Provide bring-up feedback; upstream fixes when appropriate.
• Collaborate with OEMs and ecosystem partners for adoption.

Skills

Embedded Linux

C programming

Linux internals

SoC bring-up

RISC-V RV64

FPGA/Emulation

GDB/JTAG

OpenOCD

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

U-Boot

Linux kernel

Device Tree

Yocto/OpenEmbedded

OpenOCD

JTAG

Job description

Title: Staff Engineer - Linux Kernel Developer

About GlobalFoundries

GlobalFoundriesis a leading full-service semiconductor foundry providing a unique combination of design, development, and fabrication services to some of the world’s most inspired technology companies. With a global manufacturing footprint spanning three continents, GlobalFoundries makes possible the technologies and systems that transform industries and give customers the power to shape their markets. For more information, visitwww.gf.com.

Build the Linux foundation for a next-gen RISC-V MPU platform.

About The Role

We’re building a next-generation, application-class RISC‑V MPU SoC platform for Linux systems - bringing together multimedia, industrial connectivity, security, and heterogeneous compute subsystems.

In the Platform Software team, you’ll own key pieces of Linux bring-up and SDK validation, partner closely with architecture and hardware teams, and help shape SoC/CPU decisions with hands-on data from pre-silicon, FPGA, and first-silicon debug.

Key Responsibilities

• Linux SDK development & validation: build, enable, and release a production-quality SDK for a 64-bit RISC‑V MPU.
• Develop and maintain a Linux SDK for a 64-bit RISC‑V MPU.
• Enable the boot and firmware stack (boot flow, early platform initialization, U-Boot, OpenSBI).
• Drive Linux kernel/BSP enablement: SoC bring-up, Device Tree, CPU/memory/interrupt subsystems.
• Develop and debug device drivers (multimedia, connectivity, DMA, power/clock/reset, platform services).
• Deliver SDK releases: integration, validation, and developer-facing documentation.
• Pre- & post-silicon validation (AVV): create tests, validate on FPGA/first silicon, and unblock teams through system-level debug.
• Contribute to pre-silicon validation using FPGA, emulation, and virtual platforms.
• Develop platform tests and validate on FPGA/first silicon; root-cause issues across HW/FW/kernel.
• Cross-functional execution: work day-to-day with architects, hardware, and safety teams to land features and de-risk schedules.
• Partner with system architects, hardware, and safety teams to define requirements and execution plans.
• Provide bring-up and validation feedback that influences next-gen RISC‑V CPU/SoC features.
• Align with internal and external stakeholders on roadmaps, deliverables, and release readiness.
• Customer & ecosystem engagement: support early adopters and contribute fixes upstream when appropriate.
• Work with OEMs/Tier-1s during early enablement, bring-up, and SDK adoption; upstream fixes where it makes sense.

Required Qualifications

• B.E./B.Tech or M.E./M.Tech in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong experience (typically 3-5 years) in Embedded Linux platform/BSP development.
• Expert-level C programming; comfortable reading low-level firmware and kernel code.
• Strong Linux internals knowledge: boot flow, memory management/MMU, interrupts, SMP.
• Hands-on SoC/platform bring-up experience and ownership mindset for BSP quality.
• Hands-on with U-Boot, Linux kernel, Device Tree, and Yocto/OpenEmbedded.
• Strong debugging skills with GDB and at least one of OpenOCD/JTAG, Lauterbach, or similar tools.
• Experience working on FPGA, emulation, or early-silicon platforms.

Good to Have

• RISC-V (RV64) experience or strong exposure to other application-class CPU architectures.
• Background in pre-silicon/FPGA validation or post-silicon debug and triage.
• Experience with multimedia subsystems (camera, display, audio) and their Linux stacks.
• Familiarity with platform security (secure boot, trusted firmware, firmware/OS boundaries).
• Experience with QEMU, virtual platforms, or emulation workflows.
• Exposure to CI/CD and automated validation (test frameworks, dashboards, regressions).

What We Offer

• Build a RISC‑V MPU platform from the ground up and see it shipped in real products.
• End-to-end ownership across pre-silicon -> FPGA -> first silicon -> production SDK releases.
• Work closely with CPU architects and SoC teams; your data drives decisions.
• Deep technical work, strong peer group, and long-term growth on a strategic platform.

GlobalFoundries is an equal opportunity employer, cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We believe having a multicultural workplace enhances productivity, efficiency and innovation whilst our employees feel truly respected, valued and heard.

As an affirmative employer, all qualified applicants are considered for employment regardless of age, ethnicity, marital status, citizenship, race, religion, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation and medical and/or physical abilities.

All offers of employment with GlobalFoundries are conditioned upon the successful completion of background checks, medical screenings as applicable and subject to the respective local laws and regulations

Information about our benefits you can find here: https://gf.com/about-us/careers/opportunities-asia