Linux Application Engineer

HELLBENDER Inc.; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Hellbender, Inc. is seeking a Linux Application Engineer in Pittsburgh. As part of the Software Department, you will develop applications in C/C++ or Python, ensuring system stability while investigating complex interactions between hardware and software.

The ideal candidate should have 5-7 years of experience in Linux-based software engineering, with a strong understanding of the Linux ecosystem and debugging tools. Opportunities for advancement are available in this growing organization focused on prior internal promotions.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in professional C/C++ development, including memory management, multi-threading, and concurrency primitives.
• Deep understanding of the Linux user-space, including system calls, signals, IPC, and the Linux filesystem hierarchy.
• Proficiency with Linux debugging tools.
• Hands-on experience configuring Linux subsystems and managing system initialization.
• Proficiency in Bash or Python for automating system tasks, data processing, and log analysis.
• Experience with Git and modern CI/CD workflows.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain high-performance applications and services using C, C++, and Python within a Linux environment.
• Investigate and diagnose complex issues at the interface between user-space applications and the Linux kernel.
• Identify and document driver-level bugs or regressions.
• Configure Linux environments including networking stacks and resource management.
• Implement and manage robust logging frameworks for data collection.

Skills

C/C++ Proficiency

Linux Systems Expertise

Advanced Debugging Skills

Scripting & Automation

Version Control

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field

Tools

Linux debugging tools

Git

Job description

Overview

Company Name: Hellbender Inc.

Job Title: Linux Application Engineer

Department: Software

Report to: VP of Software

Work Location: UPARC Pittsburgh

Who we are: Hellbender Inc. is a Pennsylvania Benefit Corporation that partners with innovators to mature their Artificial Intelligence enabled computing sensors and produce their solutions onshore at prototype to high volumes. Hellbender is intentionally forming an inclusive work environment and is committed to uplifting historically marginalized identities including veterans, women, trans and non-white races in our community and industry.

Job Summary: As a Linux Application Engineer at Hellbender, you will bridge the gap between high-level application software and the underlying Linux operating system. You will be responsible for developing robust applications in C/C++ or Python, maintaining system stability, and performing deep-dive investigations into system-level issues. The ideal candidate is a systems-thinker who can navigate the Linux ecosystem, troubleshoot complex interactions between hardware and software, and manage the data pipelines used for system observability and logging. While you will not be tasked with writing device drivers from scratch, you must have the expertise to identify driver-level failures and interface effectively with our kernel engineering teams.

Opportunity for advancement: Hellbender is a growing business and follows a policy that prioritizes internal promotions. As new positions are created, new opportunities for advancement will be created as well.

Responsibilities

• Application Development: Design, develop, and maintain high-performance applications and services using C, C++ and Python within a Linux environment.
• System Troubleshooting: Investigate and diagnose complex issues occurring at the interface between user-space applications and the Linux kernel (e.g., analyzing interrupts, memory leaks, or I/O bottlenecks).
• Driver Investigation: Identify and document driver-level bugs or regressions; work closely with hardware/kernel teams to provide reproducible test cases and logs for driver remediation.
• System Configuration: Configure Linux environments, including boot parameters, systemd services, networking stacks, and resource management (cgroups/namespaces).
• Observability & Logging: Implement, manage, and support robust logging frameworks to ensure high-quality telemetry and data collection from the field/test-bench.

Required Qualifications

• C/C++ Proficiency: Strong experience in professional C/C++ development, including memory management, multi-threading, and concurrency primitives.
• Linux Systems Expertise: Deep understanding of the Linux user-space, including system calls, signals, IPC (Inter-Process Communication), and the Linux filesystem hierarchy.
• Advanced Debugging Skills: Proficiency with Linux debugging tools.
• System Configuration: Hands-on experience configuring Linux subsystems (networking, storage, permissions) and managing system initialization (e.g., systemd).
• Scripting & Automation: Proficiency in Bash or Python for automating system tasks, data processing, and log analysis.
• Version Control: Experience with Git and modern CI/CD workflows

Preferred Qualifications

• Rust Programming: Familiarity with Rust and its integration within a Linux environment is a significant plus.
• Embedded Linux Knowledge: Experience with Yocto Project, Buildroot, or custom kernel configuration.
• Data Pipeline Experience: Experience managing large-scale logging data (e.g., ELK stack, Prometheus, or custom telemetry pipelines).
• Containerization: Experience with Docker or Podman for application isolation and deployment.
• ROS 2: Familiarity with the ROS ecosystem is also helpful.
• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field; 5-7 years of experience in Linux-based software engineering or systems programming.

Work Experience & Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5-7 years of experience in Linux-based software engineering or systems programming.

Note: This job description reflects the current requirements for the position and is subject to change at the discretion of Hellbender Inc.