Sr. Hypervisor/Linux Kernel Developer - Software Platform

1600 NIO USA, Inc.; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 163,500 - 212,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare plans

Flexible spending accounts (FSA)

401(k) with brokerage link option

Paid parental leave

Lunch and snacks

Onsite gym

Job summary

1600 NIO USA, Inc. is seeking an experienced kernel or hypervisor engineer to join their core system software team. In this role, you will develop a microkernel-based operating system tailored for autonomous driving applications, contributing from design to deployment.

Candidates should possess strong coding skills in C and ARM assembly with a deep understanding of ArmV8 architecture. This position includes comprehensive benefits and a competitive salary range of $163,500 – $212,400.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience in embedded systems or low-level system software development.
• Deep understanding of ArmV8 architecture: GIC, SMMU, cache hierarchy, and Arm Virtualization Host Extensions (VHE).
• Ability to thrive and contribute effectively within a global, cross-functional engineering team.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a microkernel-based operating system and hypervisor for autonomous driving vehicles.
• Analyze and enhance operating system functionalities for real-time performance and functional safety.
• Collaborate with the team on designs and implementations.

Skills

C

ARM assembly

inline assembly

Git

C/C++

Python

Linux kernel development

embedded system security

Education

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

Job description

About NIO

NIO is a pioneer and a leading company in the premium smart electric vehicle market, founded in November 2014. Its mission is to shape a joyful lifestyle and build a community around smart electric vehicles. NIO designs, develops, jointly manufactures, and sells premium vehicles while driving innovations in autonomous driving, digital technologies, electric powertrains, and batteries.

About the Position

This role is ideal for an experienced kernel or hypervisor engineer who will work hands‑on with the foundations of NIO’s in‑vehicle compute platform. You will join the core system software team behind SkyOS‑H, NIO’s in‑house hypervisor, and other SkyOS variants—contributing from architecture design to production deployment in next‑generation intelligent vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a microkernel‑based operating system and hypervisor tailored for diverse on‑vehicle applications in autonomous driving vehicles.
• Analyze and enhance operating system functionalities for real‑time performance, high efficiency, security, and functional safety.
• Collaborate with the team to discuss and refine designs and implementations.
• Lead through demonstration, serving as both a mentor and a mentee to foster team growth and knowledge sharing.
• Work on low‑level system software designed for real‑time, high‑efficiency, and safety‑critical automotive environments—optimizing latency and throughput, refining vIRQ handling, improving cache and memory subsystem efficiency, and leveraging Arm V8 virtualization extensions (VHE).
• Contribute to hypervisor scheduling, partition isolation, and secure domain management to achieve automotive‑grade determinism and performance on modern SoCs.
• From early architecture exploration to kernel integration, driver development, validation, and production rollout, enable mission‑critical domains such as AD/ADAS compute, sensor fusion, and secure boot/trusted execution (TrustZone, OP‑TEE).
• Support emerging LLM‑based intelligent copilots and in‑vehicle assistants, where hypervisor‑level performance and scheduling directly enhances on‑vehicle AI responsiveness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• 1+ years of experience in embedded systems or low‑level system software development.
• Strong coding skills in C, ARM assembly, and inline assembly.
• Deep understanding of ArmV8 architecture: GIC, SMMU, cache hierarchy, and Arm Virtualization Host Extensions (VHE).
• Proficiency in Git, C/C++, Python, and object‑oriented programming.
• Experience with Linux kernel development or driver subsystems.
• Knowledge of embedded system security: Arm TrustZone, OP‑TEE, Secure Boot.
• Ability to thrive and contribute effectively within a global, cross‑functional engineering team.

Compensation

The U.S. base salary range for this full‑time position is $163,500.00 – $212,400.00. Individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. This range reflects base salary only and does not include discretionary bonus, equity, or benefits.

Benefits

• CIGNA EPO, HSA, and Kaiser HMO medical plans with $0 employee‑only coverage.
• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans—both offer $0 paycheck contribution for eligible dependents.
• Company‑paid HSA contribution when enrolled in a high‑deductible CIGNA medical plan.
• Healthcare and dependent‑care flexible spending accounts (FSA).
• 401(k) with brokerage link option.
• Company‑paid basic life, AD&D, short‑term and long‑term disability insurance.
• Employee assistance program.
• Paid sick and vacation time.
• 13 paid holidays per year.
• Paid parental leave for the first 8 weeks at full pay (eligible after 90 days).
• Paid disability leave for the first 6 weeks at full pay (eligible after 90 days).
• Voluntary benefits: life and AD&D options for you, spouse/domestic partner, and dependent children, plus pet insurance.
• Commuter benefits.
• Mobile cell‑phone credit.
• Healthjoy mobile benefit app for benefit questions and billing support.
• Free lunch and snacks.
• Onsite gym.
• Employee discounts and perks program.