Linux Kernel Architect

SiFive; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 210,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

SiFive is seeking an experienced Linux kernel software architect to improve and debug the RISC-V Linux kernel for high-core-count server systems.

You will interact with upstream communities, post patches, and work with system software, validation teams, and hardware engineers to advance core and platform designs.

Qualifications

• Contribute to upstream Linux patching and review processes.
• Diagnose concurrency-sensitive software for high-core-count servers.
• Collaborate with CPU architects and RTL engineers on SoC design.
• Develop and debug Linux on FPGA and emulation platforms.
• Work with hypervisors/virtualization technologies.
• Familiarity with RISC-V architecture and ecosystem.

Responsibilities

• Improve and debug the RISC-V Linux kernel for SiFive designs.
• Post and review patches with upstream Linux and OpenSBI communities.
• Investigate and fix challenging software/hardware bugs in CPUs/SoCs.
• Coordinate with system software, validation teams, and hardware architects.

Skills

Linux kernel patches

Concurrency debugging

CPU/RTL collaboration

Linux on FPGA/emulation

Hypervisors/virtualization

RISC-V familiarity

Job description

About SiFive

As the pioneers who introduced RISC-V to the world, SiFive is transforming the future of compute by bringing the limitless potential of RISC-V to the highest performance and most data-intensive applications in the world. SiFive’s unrivaled compute platforms are continuing to enable leading technology companies around the world to innovate, optimize and deliver the most advanced solutions of tomorrow across every market segment of chip design, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, automotive, data center, mobile, and consumer. With SiFive, the future of RISC-V has no limits. At SiFive, we are always excited to connect with talented individuals, who are just as passionate about driving innovation and changing the world as we are.

About SiFive

As the pioneers who introduced RISC-V to the world, SiFive is transforming the future of compute by bringing the limitless potential of RISC-V to the highest performance and most data-intensive applications in the world. SiFive’s unrivaled compute platforms are continuing to enable leading technology companies around the world to innovate, optimize and deliver the most advanced solutions of tomorrow across every market segment of chip design, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, automotive, data center, mobile, and consumer. With SiFive, the future of RISC-V has no limits. At SiFive, we are always excited to connect with talented individuals, who are just as passionate about driving innovation and changing the world as we are. Our constant innovation and ongoing success is down to our amazing teams of incredibly talented people, who collaborate and support each other to come up with truly groundbreaking ideas and solutions. Solutions that will have a huge impact on people’s lives; making the world a better place, one processor at a time. Are you ready? To learn more about SiFive’s phenomenal success and to see why we have won the GSA’s prestigious Most Respected Private Company Award (for the fourth time!), check out our website and Glassdoor pages.

Job Description:

The Role

Do you want to be part of the RISC-V revolution? RISC-V and SiFive are redefining computing platforms for the 21st century. SiFive, the world RISC-V leader, is seeking an experienced Linux kernel software architect. In this role, you’ll be improving and debugging the RISC-V Linux kernel, with particular focus on high core count server systems. You’ll interact directly with the upstream Linux and OpenSBI communities, posting and reviewing patches; you’ll debug challenging problems, working with our system software and system validation teams, on SiFive designs running in emulation; and you’ll work with hardware architects and engineers, both inside SiFive and at RISC-V International, to improve our core and system designs.

What We Need To See

• Experience working on concurrency-sensitive code in the upstream Linux kernel, with a track record writing and reviewing patches on the public mailing lists
• Experience debugging challenging software and hardware bugs in CPUs and SoCs
• Experience working with CPU architects and RTL engineers
• Experience developing and debugging Linux on FPGA and emulation platforms
• Experience with hypervisors and virtualization
• Familiarity with the RISC-V architecture

Ways to stand out

• Familiarity with silicon design issues and challenges
• Familiarity with microarchitectural side-channel attacks and mitigations
• Familiarity with debugging systems via hardware debuggers
• Familiarity with Devicetree, ACPI and UEFI
• Familiarity with Rust

Pay & Benefits

Consistent with SiFive values and applicable law, we provide the following information to promote pay transparency and equity. We have a market-based pay structure which varies by location. Please note that the base pay range is a guideline, and our compensation range reflects the cost of labor in the U.S. geographic market based on the location of the role. Pay within these ranges varies and depends on job-related knowledge, skills, and relevant work experience.

For candidates who receive and offer, the starting salary will vary based on various factors including, but not limited to, such qualifications as, skill level, competencies, and work location. The range provided may represent a candidate range and may not reflect the full range for an individual tenured employee.

Base Pay Range

• variable/ incentive compensation and/ or equity.
• healthcare and retirement plans, paid time off, and more!

Additional Information:

This position requires a successful background and reference checks and satisfactory proof of your right to work in United States of America.

Any offer of employment for this position is also contingent on the Company verifying that you are a authorized for access to export-controlled technology under applicable export control laws or, if you are not already authorized, our ability to successfully obtain any necessary export license(s) or other approvals.

SiFive is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

As an E-Verify employer, we use this system to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires in accordance with federal law. All applicants will be required to complete a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, upon hire. We do not use E-Verify to pre-screen job candidates and will comply with all E-Verify regulations.

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