System Validation Engineer (PCIe & Linux Kernel )

Maxonic Inc.; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Maxonic Inc. is seeking a Systems Debug Engineer - PCIe & Linux Kernel in Milpitas, CA, to join on-site support for next-generation platforms.

You will diagnose, debug, and resolve PCIe and Linux kernel issues, collaborating with hardware, firmware, software, and validation teams to ensure platform stability and readiness.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of PCIe architecture, protocol, and troubleshooting methodologies.
• Experience with Linux kernel debugging, device drivers, and system-level diagnostics.
• Proficiency in Linux command-line tools and scripting (Python, Bash, or similar).
• Experience analyzing kernel logs, crash dumps, and system traces.
• Knowledge of BIOS/UEFI, hardware bring-up, and platform validation.
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and debug PCIe-related issues such as link training failures and enumeration problems.
• Analyze Linux kernel logs, crash dumps, kernel panics, and driver issues.
• Develop and execute debug plans using lspci, dmesg, and kernel tracing.
• Perform RCA and drive corrective actions across hardware, firmware, BIOS, kernel, and apps.
• Collaborate with HW, FW, BIOS, and SW teams to reproduce issues and validate fixes.
• Create debug docs, test procedures, and troubleshooting guides.
• Support system bring-up, qualification, and production readiness for new tester platforms.

Skills

PCIe troubleshooting

Kernel debugging

Linux command-line

Scripting (Python/Bash)

BIOS/UEFI knowledge

Root cause analysis

Tools

PCIe protocol analyzers

Logic analyzers

Oscilloscopes

PCIe switches

Kernel tracing tools

Job description

Maxonic maintains a close and long-term relationship with our direct client. In support of their needs, we are looking for:

Job Title: Systems Debug Engineer - PCIe & Linux Kernel

Job Location: Milpitas, CA

Work Schedule: On-site

Please note: This position is open to local candidates only. Candidates requiring relocation will not be considered.

Description:

Responsible for diagnosing, debugging, and resolving PCIe, Linux kernel, and system-level issues on internal test platforms. Work closely with hardware, firmware, software, and validation teams to identify root causes, improve system stability, and support new platform development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Investigate and debug PCIe-related issues, including link training failures, enumeration problems, bandwidth limitations, hot-plug events, AER errors, and device communication failures.
• Analyze Linux kernel logs, crash dumps, kernel panics, driver issues, and performance bottlenecks to determine root causes.
• Develop and execute debug plans using tools such as lspci, dmesg, kernel tracing, PCIe protocol analyzers, and logic analyzers.
• Perform root cause analysis (RCA) and drive corrective actions across hardware, firmware, BIOS, kernel, and application layers.
• Work with internal tester platforms involving PCIe switches, NVMe devices, custom hardware, and embedded controllers.
• Collaborate with HW, FW, BIOS, and SW teams to reproduce issues, validate fixes, and improve platform reliability.
• Create debug documentation, test procedures, and troubleshooting guides for engineering teams.
• Support system bring-up, qualification, and production readiness activities for new tester platforms.

Required Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of PCIe architecture, protocol, and troubleshooting methodologies.
• Experience with Linux kernel debugging, device drivers, and system-level diagnostics.
• Proficiency in Linux command-line tools and scripting (Python, Bash, or similar).
• Experience analyzing kernel logs, crash dumps, and system traces.
• Knowledge of BIOS/UEFI, hardware bring-up, and platform validation.
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with NVMe/SSD systems and PCIe switches.
• Familiarity with protocol analyzers, oscilloscopes, and hardware debug tools.
• Experience supporting high-performance computing, storage, or test equipment platforms.
• Understanding of Linux kernel internals and driver development.