Staff Software Engineer, Linux Kernel and Baseboard Management Controller Architecture

Google LLC; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 207,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Google LLC is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to lead Linux Kernel and Baseboard Management Controller architecture across diverse hardware. The role emphasizes ownership of kernel, drivers, and installation pipelines, with close collaboration with hardware and infrastructure teams.

Emphasis on embedded systems experience, device drivers, and standards contributions. In-person interviews are common; competitive compensation includes salary, bonus, equity, and benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 8 years of experience in software development.
• 5 years of experience in embedded operating systems.
• 5 years of experience in testing and launching software products.
• 3 years of experience with software design and architecture.
• Experience with embedded systems, Linux drivers, C/C++.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead the multi-year effort to modernize Google’s Baseboard Management Controller software architecture across heterogeneous platforms.
• Own the Linux kernel, networking stack, and installation systems for the BMC; develop and optimize device drivers across ARM-based SoCs.
• Partner with hardware engineering and infrastructure teams to gather requirements and ensure hardware/software integration.
• Architect software pipelines to interface with board topologies using I2C, I3C, SPI, UART, USB, and CANbus.
• Represent Google in industry bodies and drive open boot management framework standardization internally.

Skills

Embedded Linux

C/C++

Linux drivers

Device tree architectures

Kernel memory management

Board bring-up

I2C

I3C

SPI

UART

USB

CANbus

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

I2C

I3C

SPI

UART

USB

CANbus

Job description

Staff Software Engineer, Linux Kernel and Baseboard Management Controller Architecture

Share Staff Software Engineer, Linux Kernel and Baseboard Management Controller Architecture

corporate_fare Google place Sunnyvale, CA, USA

X In most instances, this position requires in-person interviews as part of the hiring process.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 8 years of experience in software development.
• 5 years of experience in working with embedded operating systems.
• 5 years of experience in testing, and launching software products.
• 3 years of experience with software design and architecture.
• Experience with embedded systems, Linux drivers, C/C++.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience building, configuring, and modifying embedded Linux platforms. Track record in device driver development, device tree architectures, kernel memory management, and board bring-up.
• Experience driving internal standardization or contributing to industry-standard hardware management specifications (e.g., DMTF, Redfish, PLDM, MCTP).
• Experience interfacing with and debugging I2C, I3C, SPI, UART, USB, and CANbus.
• Proficiency in hardware diagnostic tools (logic analyzers, I2C, SPI protocol analyzers, oscilloscopes) to root-cause silicon-to-software bugs.
• Understanding of Linux networking stacks, network booting (PXE/DHCP), and secure installation pipelines.
• Track record of upstreaming code to Linux Kernel or contributing to industry standards bodies (e.g., DMTF, OCP, Redfish).

About the job

Google's software engineers develop the next-generation technologies that change how billions of users connect, explore, and interact with information and one another. Our products need to handle information at massive scale, and extend well beyond web search. We're looking for engineers who bring fresh ideas from all areas, including information retrieval, distributed computing, large-scale system design, networking and data storage, security, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, UI design and mobile; the list goes on and is growing every day. As a software engineer, you will work on a specific project critical to Google’s needs with opportunities to switch teams and projects as you and our fast-paced business grow and evolve. We need our engineers to be versatile, display leadership qualities and be enthusiastic to take on new problems across the full-stack as we continue to push technology forward.

The AI and Infrastructure team is redefining what's possible. We empower Google customers with breakthrough capabilities and insights by delivering AI and Infrastructure at unparalleled scale, efficiency, reliability and velocity. Our customers include Googlers, Google Cloud customers, and billions of Google users worldwide.

We're the driving force behind Google's groundbreaking innovations, empowering the development of our cutting-edge AI models, delivering unparalleled computing power to global services, and providing the essential platforms that enable developers to build the future. From software to hardware our teams are shaping the future of world-leading hyperscale computing, with key teams working on the development of our TPUs, Vertex AI for Google Cloud, Google Global Networking, Data Center operations, systems research, and much more.

Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

About the job

Google's software engineers develop the next-generation technologies that change how billions of users connect, explore, and interact with information and one another. Our products need to handle information at massive scale, and extend well beyond web search. We're looking for engineers who bring fresh ideas from all areas, including information retrieval, distributed computing, large-scale system design, networking and data storage, security, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, UI design and mobile; the list goes on and is growing every day. As a software engineer, you will work on a specific project critical to Google’s needs with opportunities to switch teams and projects as you and our fast-paced business grow and evolve. We need our engineers to be versatile, display leadership qualities and be enthusiastic to take on new problems across the full-stack as we continue to push technology forward.

The AI and Infrastructure team is redefining what's possible. We empower Google customers with breakthrough capabilities and insights by delivering AI and Infrastructure at unparalleled scale, efficiency, reliability and velocity. Our customers include Googlers, Google Cloud customers, and billions of Google users worldwide.

We're the driving force behind Google's groundbreaking innovations, empowering the development of our cutting-edge AI models, delivering unparalleled computing power to global services, and providing the essential platforms that enable developers to build the future. From software to hardware our teams are shaping the future of world-leading hyperscale computing, with key teams working on the development of our TPUs, Vertex AI for Google Cloud, Google Global Networking, Data Center operations, systems research, and much more.

Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

US: $207000 - $300000 (USD) + 20% bonus target + equity + benefits

• Design and lead the multi-year effort to modernize Google's next-generation Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) software architecture, ensuring scalability across heterogeneous platforms (Compute, Storage, hardware accelerators like TPUs and GPUs).
• Own the Linux kernel, networking stack, and installation systems for the BMC. Develop, debug, and optimize device drivers and core kernel subsystems across multiple generations of ARM-based or custom SoCs.
• Partner directly with hardware engineering, accelerator (TPU/GPU) teams, and infrastructure groups to gather requirements, define architectural boundaries, and ensure seamless hardware/software integration.
• Architect software pipelines to interface with complex board-level topologies using I2C, I3C, SPI, UART, USB, and CANbus.
• Represent Google in the open compute project (OCP) and other industry bodies. Lead the definition, standardization, and internal adoption of the open boot management framework - infrastructure control protocol (OBMF-ICP).

Google is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of the users we serve, creating a culture of belonging, and providing an equal employment opportunity regardless of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), expecting or parents-to-be, criminal histories consistent with legal requirements, or any other basis protected by law. See also Google's EEO Policy , Know your rights: workplace discrimination is illegal , Belonging at Google , and How we hire .

Google is a global company and, in order to facilitate efficient collaboration and communication globally, English proficiency is a requirement for all roles unless stated otherwise in the job posting.

To all recruitment agencies: Google does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Google employees, or any other organization location. Google is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

Equity is granted exclusively and discretionarily by Alphabet Inc. on the basis of an agreement concluded between you and Alphabet Inc. Alphabet Inc. is your sole contractual partner with respect to equity grants. GSU grants are not guaranteed, are discretionary, are subject to approval by the Alphabet Inc. board of directors or its delegate, the terms of the relevant Alphabet Inc. stock plan, and your grant agreement. They have no impact on statutory payments. Current or past grants do not confer an acquired right.