Real-Time Linux Software Engineer for F-35 Program

Lockheed Martin; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

At Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Fort Worth, TX, our Core Processing Software team is building middleware for the F-35 program. The role requires leading design, development, and integration of software with hard real-time requirements.

You will work on kernel-level development, device drivers, and performance analysis, collaborating with hardware and systems teams. Strong C/C++, Linux RT experience, and Buildroot expertise are essential.

Qualifications

• Linux with hard real-time extensions (PREEMPT_RT) and real-time scheduling (SCHED_FIFO/SCHED_RR) in user space, plus kernel space device drivers.
• Strong C/C++ skills, x86/ARM assembly, and Python/Bash scripting for automation.
• Debugging with GDB/KGDB, LTTng, strace, dmesg, ftrace, perf and hardware interfaces (JTAG/UART).
• Buildroot expertise for custom root filesystem/toolchains.
• Experience with PTP (IEEE1588) and tooling like ptp4l/phc2sys.
• Ability to obtain DoD secret clearance.
• Bachelor's degree or above in a software-related major, or equivalent experience/education.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test Linux device drivers with hard real-time guarantees.
• Implement and tune two-level interrupt handling for microsecond latency.
• Configure PREEMPT_RT and validate deterministic behavior with kernel tracing tools.
• Maintain Buildroot configurations and CI pipelines for the Linux stack.
• Collaborate with hardware/system designers and produce technical documentation.
• Lead design, development, and integration of middleware software for the F-35 program.

Skills

Linux RT development

C/C++ programming

Kernel/driver development

GDB debugging

Python scripting

Buildroot experience

JTAG/UART debugging

Real-time systems

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in software-related field

Tools

ptp4l

phc2sys

LTTng

GDB

Job description

At Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Fort Worth, TX, our Core Processing Software team is building middleware for the F-35 program. The role requires leading design, development, and integration of software with hard real-time requirements.

You will work on kernel-level development, device drivers, and performance analysis, collaborating with hardware and systems teams. Strong C/C++, Linux RT experience, and Buildroot expertise are essential.