Senior/Staff Software Engineer - Embedded Linux Operating Systems

Zoox
Foster City, CA
On-site

Who this role is best for

Aimed at senior embedded systems engineers with a focus on Linux and robotics who can design and maintain foundational platform services.

Best fit for

  • Senior engineers with a track record in embedded Linux and robotics infrastructure
    — “8+ years delivering production systems and software applications, 2+ years of delivering custom Embedded Linux operating systems”
  • Candidates who have experience with Linux init systems and kernel-space development
    — “understand device drivers and kernel-space code and proficiency in a language without automatic memory management”
  • Individuals with strong communication skills and a background in full-stack system design
    — “Strong written and verbal communication skills along with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience”

Things to consider

  • This role demands a high level of technical depth in low-level systems and hardware integration
    — “Develop and optimize device drivers and kernel-space components using C, C++, or Rust”
  • The position requires working across multiple domains including robotics, machine learning, and design
    — “Sitting at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and design”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with Yocto and U-Boot in your resume and interview responses
    — “Configure and manage embedded Linux build systems (e.g., Yocto) and bootloader processes (e.g., U-Boot)”
  • Showcase your ability to architect scalable systems for autonomous vehicles
    — “Architect and implement platform-level software to support robust and scalable robotics infrastructure”
  • Emphasize your cross-functional collaboration experience in robotics or related domains
    — “Collaborate cross-functionally to support seamless integration and delivery of the OS platform”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Senior

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • designing and developing the operating system platform
  • configuring and managing embedded Linux build systems
  • developing and optimizing device drivers
Typical background
8+ years delivering production systems and software applications

Skills & requirements

Required

Embedded LinuxOperating SystemsBuild SystemsBootloadersDevice DriversKernel-space Components

Preferred

RoboticsSecurity SoftwareNvidia Gpus

Stack & domain

LinuxYoctoU-bootSystemdChrootCgroupsLinux NamespacesDevice DriversKernel-space ComponentsCC++RustBashPython

About the role

Original posting from Zoox via Lever

Zoox's Robot Software Infrastructure team is seeking a passionate software engineer to help develop and advance the common performant operating system that powers several devices on our vehicle including Autonomy systems. This team develops platform-level software and services, including operating systems that enable complex, hardware-accelerated workloads critical for autonomous driving on automotive-grade hardware.

We work closely with cross-functional teams—including developers, release management, hardware engineering, manufacturing and operations—to support vehicle development and deployment at scale. You'll have the opportunity to influence the next generation of our platform, hardware, and robotaxi. If you are excited to explore a broad problem space and are mindful of how components fit within a larger system, you may be a great fit!

In this role, you will::

  • Design, develop, and maintain the operating system platform that powers various on-bot devices and applications
  • Architect and implement platform-level software to support robust and scalable robotics infrastructure
  • Configure and manage embedded Linux build systems (e.g., Yocto) and bootloader processes (e.g., U-Boot) to ensure reliable system startup and maintenance
  • Develop and optimize device drivers and kernel-space components using C, C++, or Rust to meet performance and reliability requirements
  • Collaborate cross-functionally to support seamless integration and delivery of the OS platform, triage issues, support new hardware bring-up and manufacturing functions

Qualifications:

 8+ years delivering production systems and software applications, 2+ years of delivering custom Embedded Linux operating systems

Have a deep understanding of Linux, build systems like Yocto, and bootloaders like U-Boot

Be familiar with Linux init systems (e.g., systemd), containerization concepts (e.g., chroot, cgroups, Linux namespaces), and filesystems

Understand device drivers and kernel-space code and proficiency in a language without automatic memory management (e.g., C or C++), and in multiple scripting languages like bash and Python

Strong written and verbal communication skills along with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience

Bonus Qualifications:

  • Experience with embedded Linux in a robotics application
  • Familiarity with security software: PKI, secure boot, OTA software update, hardware key storage, etc.
  • Familiarity with Nvidia GPUs, Nvidia Thor/Orin, Cuda, TRT, etc.
  • Graduate degree with a focus on networking, operating systems, or firmware

Compensation:

Base Salary Range

There are three major components to compensation for this position: salary, Amazon Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), and Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights. A sign-on bonus may be offered as part of the compensation package. The listed range applies only to the base salary. Compensation will vary based on geographic location and level. Leveling, as well as positioning within a level, is determined by a range of factors, including, but not limited to, a candidate's relevant years of experience, domain knowledge, and interview performance. The salary range listed in this posting is representative of the range of levels Zoox is considering for this position.

Zoox also offers a comprehensive package of benefits, including paid time off (e.g. sick leave, vacation, bereavement), unpaid time off, Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights, Amazon RSUs, health insurance, long-term care insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, and life insurance.

About Zoox

Zoox is developing the first ground-up, fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the supporting ecosystem required to bring this technology to market. Sitting at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and design, Zoox aims to provide the next generation of mobility-as-a-service in urban environments. We’re looking for top talent that shares our passion and wants to be part of a fast-moving and highly execution-oriented team.

Follow us on LinkedIn

Accommodations

If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please reach out to accommodations@zoox.com or your assigned recruiter.

A Final Note:

You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.

Source: Zoox careers (Lever)

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