Staff Software Engineer, Linux Kernel & Driver Development

General Motors; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors is seeking a Staff Software Engineer focused on Linux kernel and driver development for automotive platforms in Austin. The role emphasizes bring-up of next‑generation computing platforms, kernel internals, and low‑level system integration across embedded software and hardware.

The candidate will develop and optimize Linux kernel drivers (camera, USB, Ethernet), participate in BSP and bootloader work, and contribute to diagnostics, health monitoring, and upstream kernel efforts.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in embedded Linux kernel development and board bring-up.
• Expertise in Linux kernel internals (memory management, scheduling, IPC, filesystems).
• Experience with camera bring-up (MIPI-CSI, ISP, V4L2).
• Strong BSP, bootloader (U-Boot) and firmware integration skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop Linux kernel and device drivers for automotive platforms.
• Lead system bring-up, BSP development, and bootloader configuration.
• Integrate and optimize USB, PCIe, I2C, SPI, and Ethernet interfaces.
• Implement diagnostics, health monitoring, and fault detection for embedded systems.
• Collaborate with hardware teams and contribute upstream Linux kernel work.
• Define OKRs and drive software stability and performance.

Skills

Embedded Linux kernel development

Device driver programming

BSP development

Bootloaders (U-Boot)

Kernel internals

Camera bring-up (MIPI-CSI)

Network protocols (BLE/Bluetooth)

Diagnostics & health monitoring

JTAG / low-level debugging

SoC hardware interaction

Tools

JTAG

GDB

ftrace

kdump

perf

Job description

Job Description

_Hybrid: This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to [Austin, TX] three times per week, at minimum [or other frequency dictated by the business_ _if more than 3 days_ _]._

General Motors is seeking a highly skilled and experienced professional to join our team as a Staff Software Engineer, Linux Kernel & Driver Development . As a global leader in the automotive industry, General Motors is committed to delivering high-quality vehicles that exceed customer expectations. This role will be instrumental in the bring-up of next-generation automotive computing platforms, focusing on Linux kernel development, device drivers, low-level system integration, diagnostics, and health monitoring for our in-vehicle infotainment and embedded systems.

_Specific job responsibilities include:_

Develop and enhance Linux kernel and device drivers, including those for camera sensors, display interfaces, multimedia subsystems, and networking (WLAN, LAN, BLE, BT5.0).

Lead system bring-up activities, including bootloader configuration, camera pipeline initialization, board support package (BSP) development, and low-level debugging.

Integrate and optimize hardware components, including USB, PCIe, I2C-connected peripherals, and Ethernet interfaces to ensure seamless operation within our embedded software stack.

Develop and implement diagnostics and health monitoring solutions, ensuring system reliability, predictive maintenance, and fault detection in critical automotive systems.

Analyze and troubleshoot low-level system issues, particularly in camera interfaces (MIPI-CSI, ISP bring-up), high-speed data buses, and network connectivity.

Support manufacturing and production processes, including hardware validation, firmware flashing, and end-of-line testing to ensure smooth integration of software into production vehicles.

Work closely with hardware teams to validate and debug platform issues, ensuring optimal hardware-software interaction.

Contribute to upstream Linux kernel development and work with open-source communities where applicable.

Define Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) and work towards continuously improving software stability, performance, and maintainability.

Additional Job Description

_Qualifications/Requirements_

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field, or Work equivalent experience

8+ years of experience in embedded Linux kernel development, device driver programming, and board bring-up.

Expertise in Linux kernel internals, including memory management, scheduling, file systems, and IPC mechanisms.

Experience in camera bring-up, including MIPI-CSI, ISP tuning, V4L2 framework, and image processing pipelines.

Strong experience with BSP development, bootloaders (e.g., U-Boot), and firmware integration.

Deep knowledge of communication protocols such as USB, PCIe, I2C, SPI, and MIPI-CSI.

Experience with Ethernet interfaces (WLAN, LAN) and network protocols (BLE, Bluetooth 5.0).

Proficiency in diagnostics, health monitoring, and fault detection for embedded systems.

Familiarity with manufacturing and production support, including hardware validation, firmware flashing, and end-of-line testing.

Proficiency in low-level debugging tools (e.g., JTAG, GDB, ftrace, kdump, perf).

Experience with SoC architectures and hardware interaction at the register level.

Knowledge of power management techniques, security frameworks, and real-time optimizations in Linux-based systems.

Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to analyze complex system issues across software and hardware domains.

Excellent communication skills with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.

_Preferred Qualifications_

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.

8+ years of experience in embedded Linux kernel development, device driver programming, and board bring-up.

Expertise in Linux kernel internals, including memory management, scheduling, file systems, and IPC mechanisms.

Experience in camera bring-up, including MIPI-CSI, ISP tuning, V4L2 framework, and image processing pipelines.

Strong experience with BSP development, bootloaders (e.g., U-Boot), and firmware integration.

Deep knowledge of communication protocols such as USB, PCIe, I2C, SPI, and MIPI-CSI.

Experience with Ethernet interfaces (WLAN, LAN) and network protocols (BLE, Bluetooth 5.0).

Proficiency in diagnostics, health monitoring, and fault detection for embedded systems.

Familiarity with manufacturing and production support, including hardware validation, firmware flashing, and end-of-line testing.

Proficiency in low-level debugging tools (e.g., JTAG, GDB, ftrace, kdump, perf).

Experience with SoC architectures and hardware interaction at the register level.

Knowledge of power management techniques, security frameworks, and real-time optimizations in Linux-based systems.

Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to analyze complex system issues across software and hardware domains.

Excellent communication skills with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.

This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.

Company Vehicle: Upon successful completion of a motor vehicle report review, you will be eligible to participate in a company vehicle evaluation program, through which you will be assigned a General Motors vehicle to drive and evaluate. Note: program participants are required to purchase/lease a qualifying GM vehicle every four years unless one of a limited number of exceptions applies.

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