Senior Software Developer (C – Linux Kernel & User Space)

About the Position

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Software Developer with strong expertise in C programming to work across Linux kernel space and user space components. The role involves designing, developing, optimizing, and maintaining low-level system software, with a focus on performance, reliability, and security. You will work closely with cross-functional teams including system architects, QA, and hardware engineers to build robust and scalable system-level solutions.

Responsibilities

• Core Development

  • Design, develop, and maintain software components in C for both:
    • Kernel space (Linux kernel modules, drivers, subsystems)
    • User space applications, daemons, and system services
  • Implement high-performance and low-latency solutions with attention to memory and CPU efficiency
  • Develop and maintain device drivers, kernel modules, and system-level interfaces

• System-Level Engineering

  • Work with Linux internals (process scheduling, memory management, IPC, networking stack)
  • Debug complex issues across kernel and user space boundaries
  • Analyze system performance and implement optimizations

• Debugging & Troubleshooting

  • Investigate and resolve issues using tools such as: gdb, strace, perf, ftrace
  • Kernel crash dumps (kdump, crash tool)
  • Root cause analysis for system crashes, memory leaks, and race conditions

• Integration & Collaboration

  • Collaborate with hardware teams for driver development and bring-up
  • Work with DevOps and QA to integrate solutions into CI/CD pipelines
  • Participate in design reviews and contribute to architectural decisions

• Code Quality & Security

  • Write clean, maintainable, and well-documented code
  • Ensure adherence to coding standards (e.g. Linux kernel guidelines where applicable)
  • Address vulnerabilities and ensure secure coding practices

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience
• 5–10+ years of professional experience in C programming
• Strong experience with:
  • Linux kernel development
  • User space system programming
• Solid understanding of:
  • Operating systems concepts (processes, threads, memory, synchronization)
  • POSIX APIs, system calls, and low-level I/O
• Experience with:
  • Kernel module development and debugging
  • Multithreading and concurrency primitives
  • IPC mechanisms (pipes, sockets, shared memory)
  • Script languages (bash/python)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with embedded Linux systems
• Knowledge of cross-compilation and toolchains
• Familiarity with networking protocols and kernel networking stack
• Experience with:
  • Build systems (Make, CMake, Yocto, Buildroot)
  • Version control systems (Git, GitLab/Bitbucket workflows)
  • Exposure to security concepts (SELinux, secure boot, sandboxing)
• Hardware interfaces knowledge – PCIE, XFI, ILK, GMII would be appreciated

Soft Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and in a collaborative team environment
• Clear communication and documentation abilities
• Proactive mindset with ownership of tasks

We Offer

• Opportunity to work on low-level, high-impact system software
• Exposure to cutting-edge kernel and performance optimization challenges
• Collaborative engineering environment
• Competitive compensation and growth opportunities

About the Company

A leading global provider of hardware and software for electronic design, emulation, and testing.