Senior Software Engineer - Operating Systems

Decisive Point; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 253,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement benefits with employer match

Learning and wellness stipends

Paid time off

Job summary

Decisive Point is looking for a Software Engineer to join its NextGen OS team in Sunnyvale, California. This role focuses on building the operating system stack for future vehicles and products, allowing you to develop and implement core OS components while influencing architectural decisions.

The ideal candidate will have over 6 years of experience in software development, deep expertise in C/C++, and familiarity with Unix/Linux kernels. Compensation includes a base salary range of $155,000 - $253,000 USD annually.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of software development experience, emphasizing low-level systems or OS development.
• Deep expertise in C/C++, experience designing and shipping large-scale software.
• Demonstrated leadership in shaping technical direction and mentoring engineers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement core OS components including kernel and system services.
• Define overall architecture and roadmap of the operating system.
• Engage with existing open-source projects and write foundational performance-critical code.

Skills

C/C++

Unix/Linux kernels

Performance optimization

Memory management

Threading and concurrency

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or related field

Job description

About the role

The NextGen OS team is focused on building Applied Intuition's operating system (OS) stack for future vehicles and new products. This is a unique opportunity to build and work on a new full‑stack operating system.

As a Software Engineer on the team, you will develop, design, and implement core OS components including kernel, system services, runtime, application framework, BSPs, and hardware abstraction layers. As an early hire, you will contribute to key architectural and implementation decisions, directly influencing how this OS is built.

At Applied Intuition, you will:

• Define the overall architecture and roadmap of the operating system
• Engage closely with existing open‑source projects, become a committer, and submit RFCs
• Write and review foundational, performance‑critical code across core OS components
• Lead implementation of critical system features such as interprocess communication, memory management, security sandboxing, networking, and power/performance
• Collaborate closely with hardware partners and OEMs to define BSP, HAL, device drivers, and integration strategies
• Advocate open‑source culture and engage with the Open Source Project community

We're looking for someone who has:

• 6+ years of software development experience (emphasis on low‑level systems or OS development)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or a related field
• Deep expertise in C/C++
• Experience on Unix/Linux kernels or embedded systems
• Experience with performance optimization, memory management, threading, and concurrency
• Proven experience designing and shipping large-scale software or systems
• Demonstrated leadership in shaping technical direction and mentoring engineers
• Familiarity with open‑source processes and tools, source control, and distributed code bases

Nice to have:

• Master’s degree or PhD in Computer Science or related field
• Experience working with OEMs, device drivers, or hardware integration (e.g., ARM chipset, cellular modem interfaces)
• Strong background in security and sandboxing models
• Demonstrated ability working in small, fast‑moving cross‑functional teams and/or startups
• Published contributions to open‑source OS projects or kernel subsystems

Compensation

Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package and may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401(k) retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.

For pay transparency purposes, the base salary range for this full‑time position in the location listed is: $155,000 - $253,000 USD annually.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Applied Intuition is an equal opportunity employer and federal contractor or subcontractor. Consequently, the parties agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60‑1.4(a), 41 CFR 60‑300.5(a) and 41 CFR 60‑741.5(a) and that these regulations are incorporated herein by reference. These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. These regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. The parties also agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of Executive Order 13496 (29 CFR Part 471, Appendix A to Subpart A), relating to the notice of employee rights under federal labor laws.