Embedded Software Engineer

Robotics Technologies; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 124,000 - 207,000; Full time

Job summary

Robotics Technologies LLC in Milpitas, CA seeks an expert Embedded Software / Firmware Contractor to design and optimize high-throughput multi-threaded software for embedded Linux on Xilinx MPSoC/RFSoC platforms, interfacing with hardware IP blocks in FPGA.

You will accelerate workloads with ARM NEON, implement robust Linux drivers (UIO, AXI DMA), and deliver production-grade code with full documentation and hand-off materials.

Qualifications

• Expert-level C for embedded Linux environments.
• Vectorize and optimize with ARM NEON intrinsics/assembly.
• Demonstrated Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC/RFSoC platforms (PetaLinux).
• Deep understanding of AXI4, PCIe, AXI DMA engines and Linux memory management.
• Multi-threaded programming with real-time POSIX scheduling.
• GCC/Clang cross-compilation, GDB, Vivado/Vitis, CMake, Git.

Responsibilities

• Architect and implement high-performance multi-threaded C/C++ userspace apps on embedded Linux.
• Vectorize and optimize critical loops using ARM NEON intrinsics and assembly.
• Develop software drivers/interfaces (UIO, AXI DMA, mem-mapped registers) for FPGA IP blocks.
• Profile and tune for deterministic performance using perf/Valgrind.
• Deliver well-commented, production-grade source with docs and build scripts.

Skills

C/C++ for embedded Linux

ARM NEON optimization

Multi-threaded systems

POSIX threads

Linux performance profiling

Tools

GCC cross-compilation

GDB

Vivado/Vitis

CMake

Git

Job description

We are seeking an expert Embedded Software / Firmware Contractor to design, implement, and optimize high-throughput multi-threaded software for embedded Linux on AMD Xilinx FPGA / MPSoC and RFSoc architectures (e.g., Zynq UltraScale+).

The contractor will be responsible for accelerating critical computational workloads (such as signal processing or array arithmetic) using ARM NEON SIMD instructions and interfacing custom C/C++ applications with hardware IP blocks in the FPGA logic.

Scope of Work & Deliverables

• High-Performance Multi-Threading: Architect and implement efficient C/C++ userspace applications utilizing POSIX threads (pthreads), thread isolation, CPU affinity, and lock-free synchronization routines to handle real-time streaming data on embedded Linux.
• ARM NEON Optimization: Vectorize and optimize critical algorithmic loops using ARM NEON intrinsics and assembly to maximize SIMD throughput on ARM Cortex-A processor cores.
• FPGA Hardware Integration: Develop robust software drivers/interfaces (e.g., Linux UIO, AXI DMA, memory-mapped registers) to exchange data between Linux software applications and custom IP blocks in the Xilinx Programmable Logic (PL).
• Profiling & Performance Tuning: Utilize Linux profiling tools (perf, Valgrind, custom execution benchmarks) to diagnose bottlenecks, optimize cache usage, and ensure deterministic performance.
• Technical Documentation & Code Hand-off: Deliver well-commented, productiongrade source code along with architectural notes, integration build scripts, and test procedures for internal engineering hand-off.

Required Technical Expertise:

• Core Programming: Expert-level C for embedded Linux environments.
• Vector Acceleration: Hands-on proficiency with ARM NEON SIMD intrinsics and assembly-level optimization techniques.
• Xilinx SoC Platform: Demonstrated experience with Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC/RFSoC platforms (PetaLinux).
• Hardware Interfacing: Deep understanding of AXI4, PCIe, AXI DMA engines, and Linux memory management (DMA-BUF, /dev/mem, UIO).
• Multi-Threaded Systems: Solid background in concurrent programming, memory synchronization, and real-time POSIX scheduling.
• Tooling: Expertise with GCC/Clang cross-compilation toolchains, GDB, Vivado / Vitis, CMake, and Git.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, citizenship/ immigration status, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.