Embedded Linux Software Engineer

Hardware FYI; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Impulse Space is seeking an Embedded Linux Software Engineer to design and maintain the foundational software stack powering our avionics platforms. You will work on a Yocto-based distribution, kernel drivers, and low-level hardware integration in a secure, fault-tolerant environment.

The role emphasizes platform engineering, secure boot, code signing, OTA updates, and strict adherence to safety-critical practices, with opportunities to influence architectural decisions across flight-grade

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related degrees.
• Experience building and maintaining Yocto-based embedded Linux distributions for custom boards.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, configure, and debug Linux kernel drivers.
• Demonstrated experience developing in C/C++, with ability to work in constrained, low-level environments.

Responsibilities

• Build, configure, and maintain a Yocto-based Linux distribution for custom avionics hardware.
• Perform initial board bring-up of avionics computers and hardware integration.
• Develop, port, and maintain Linux device drivers for sensors, communication buses, and memory devices.

Skills

Embedded Linux

C/C++

Kernel drivers

Security hardening

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering / Electrical Engineering / Computer Science

Tools

Yocto Project

GDB

Job description

Impulse Space is seeking a Embedded Linux Software Engineer to develop and maintain the foundational software stack that powers our avionics platforms. This role requires deep expertise in embedded Linux, low-level hardware/software integration, and platform engineering practices to ensure secure, reliable, and maintainable systems.

Responsibilities

• Linux Distribution Development:
  • Build, configure, and maintain a Yocto-based Linux distribution for custom avionics hardware.
  • Manage kernel configuration, system services, and integration of middleware components.
• Board Bring-Up & Hardware Integration:
  • Perform initial board bring-up of avionics computers.
  • Debug hardware/software integration issues across CPU, memory, and peripheral subsystems.
• Driver Development & Debugging:
  • Develop, port, and maintain Linux device drivers for sensors, communication buses, and memory devices.
  • Debug kernel-space and user-space interactions using hardware debuggers and tracing tools.
• Platform Engineering & System Hardening:
  • Implement secure boot and code signing for flight-critical binaries.
  • Configure and manage router certificates and other cryptographic assets.
  • Apply Linux security frameworks such as AppArmor and SELinux for mandatory access control.
  • Design and maintain OTA update infrastructure with rollback/A-B partitioning support.
  • Manage system configuration, startup scripts, and fault-tolerant resource allocation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related degrees.
• Experience building and maintaining Yocto-based embedded Linux distributions for custom boards.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, configure, and debug Linux kernel drivers.
• Demonstrated experience developing in C/C++, with ability to work in constrained, low-level environments.