Linux Kernel Engineer (Device Driver Developer)

<p><strong>Company Name: </strong>Hellbender Inc.</p> <p><strong>Job Title</strong>: &nbsp;Linux Kernel Engineer (Device Driver Developer)</p> <p><strong>Department</strong>: Software</p> <p><strong>Report to: </strong>VP of Software&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Who we are:</strong></p> <p>Hellbender Inc. is a Pennsylvania Benefit Corporation who partners with innovators to mature their Artificial Intelligence enabled computing sensors and produce their solutions onshore at prototype to high volumes.</p> <p>Hellbender is intentionally forming an inclusive work environment and is committed to uplifting the historically marginalized identities including veterans, women, trans and non-white races in our community and industry.</p> <p><strong>Job Summary:</strong><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p class="x_whitespace-pre-wrap" data-ogsb="rgb(255, 255, 255)"><span data-ogsc="rgb(15, 15, 15)" data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">We are seeking a highly specialized </span><span data-ogsc="rgb(15, 15, 15)">Linux Kernel Engineer</span><span data-ogsc="rgb(15, 15, 15)"> to lead the development and integration of device drivers for our next-generation hardware platforms. The primary focus of this role is "hardware enablement"—taking raw silicon and datasheets and transforming them into functional, stable components within the Linux kernel.</span></p> <p class="x_whitespace-pre-wrap" data-ogsb="rgb(255, 255, 255)"><span data-ogsc="rgb(15, 15, 15)">The ideal candidate is a low-level expert who is comfortable navigating complex hardware registers, interpreting timing diagrams, and writing efficient, high-performance C code that operates within the constraints of kernel space. You will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of a driver, from initial bring-up to integration into our custom Linux distributions using Yocto or Buildroot.</span></p> <p><strong>Essential Duties and Responsibilities:&nbsp;</strong></p> <ul> <li data-ogsc="rgb(15, 15, 15)"><span data-ogsc="" data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Driver Development:</span><span data-ogsc="">&nbsp;Design, implement, and maintain Linux device drivers (e.g., I2C, SPI, PCIe, USB, or custom SoC peripherals) within the Linux kernel space.</span></li> <li data-ogsc="rgb(15, 15, 15)"><span data-ogsc="">Hardware Bring-up:</span><span data-ogsc="">&nbsp;Lead the initial software bring-up of new hardware components, ensuring that all peripheral interfaces are communicating correctly with the CPU.</span></li> <li data-ogsc="rgb(15, 15, 15)"><span data-ogsc="">Datasheet Analysis:</span><span data-ogsc="">&nbsp;Perform deep-dive analysis of hardware datasheets, register maps, and electrical specifications to implement correct register-level logic and timing sequences.</span></li> <li data-ogsc="rgb(15, 15, 15)"><span data-ogsc="">Embedded Linux Integration:</span><span data-ogsc="">&nbsp;Integrate newly developed drivers into custom Linux distributions using build systems such as&nbsp;</span><span data-ogsc="">Yocto Project</span><span data-ogsc="">&nbsp;or&nbsp;</span><span data-ogsc="">Buildroot</span><span data-ogsc="">, including the management of Device Tree (DTS) modifications.</span></li> <li data-ogsc="rgb(15, 15, 15)"><span data-ogsc="">Kernel Debugging:</span><span data-ogsc="">&nbsp;Use advanced kernel debugging techniques to resolve issues related to interrupts, DMA (Direct Memory Access), concurrency/locking, and memory corruption.</span></li> <li data-ogsc="rgb(15, 15, 15)"><span data-ogsc="">Hardware Interfacing:</span><span data-ogsc="">&nbsp;Work closely with hardware engineers to validate electrical signals against software behavior using logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, or protocol analyzers.</span></li> </ul> <p><strong>Required Qualifications:</strong><strong> </strong></p> <ul> <li data-ogsc="rgb(15, 15, 15)"><span data-ogsc="" data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Low-Level C Mastery:</span><span data-ogsc="">&nbsp;Expert-level proficiency in C, specifically regarding kernel-space constraints (no standard libraries, manual memory management, interrupt context awareness).</span></li> <li data-ogsc="rgb(15, 15, 15)"><span data-ogsc="">Linux Kernel Internals:</span><span data-ogsc="">&nbsp;Deep understanding of the Linux kernel subsystem architecture, including Interrupt Service Routines (ISRs), Concurrency/Spinlocks, DMA, and the Linux Device Model.</span></li> <li data-ogsc="rgb(15, 15, 15)"><span data-ogsc="">Hardware Protocol Expertise:</span><span data-ogsc="">&nbsp;Strong experience working with low-level communication protocols (e.g., I2C, SPI, UART, PCIe, USB, or Ethernet).</span></li> <li data-ogsc="rgb(15, 15, 15)"><span data-ogsc="">Datasheet Fluency:</span><span data-ogsc="">&nbsp;Proven ability to read and interpret complex hardware datasheets, register maps, and timing diagrams to drive software implementation.</span></li> <li data-ogsc="rgb(15, 15, 15)"><span data-ogsc="">Embedded Build Systems:</span><span data-ogsc="">&nbsp;Hands-on experience with&nbsp;</span><span data-ogsc="">Yocto Project</span><span data-ogsc="">&nbsp;(BitBake, recipes, layers) or&nbsp;</span><span data-ogsc="">Buildroot</span><span data-ogsc="">&nbsp;for creating custom Linux images.</span></li> <li data-ogsc="rgb(15, 15, 15)"><span data-ogsc="">Device Tree Knowledge:</span><span data-ogsc="">&nbsp;Proficiency in writing and maintaining Device Tree Source (DTS) and Device Tree Overlay (DTBO) files.</span></li> </ul> <p><strong>Preferred Qualifications:</strong></p> <ul> <li data-ogsc="rgb(15, 15, 15)"><span data-ogsc="" data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Hardware Debugging Tools:</span><span data-ogsc="">&nbsp;Experience using hardware debugging tools such as Logic Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, or JTAG debuggers.</span></li> <li data-ogsc="rgb(15, 15, 15)"><span data-ogsc="">Architecture Specifics:</span><span data-ogsc="">&nbsp;Experience with specific processor architectures (e.g., ARM, RISC-V, or x86).</span></li> <li data-ogsc="rgb(15, 15, 15)"><span data-ogsc="">Linux Kernel Subsystem Expertise:</span><span data-ogsc="">&nbsp;Previous experience contributing to the upstream Linux kernel or working on specific subsystems (e.g., Industrial I/O (IIO), Network, or Input subsystems).</span></li> <li data-ogsc="rgb(15, 15, 15)"> <div data-ogsc=""><span data-ogsc="">Scripting:</span><span data-ogsc="">&nbsp;Proficiency in Python for automating hardware testing and data parsing.</span></div> </li> <li data-ogsc="rgb(15, 15, 15)"> <div data-ogsc=""><span data-ogsc="">Camera drivers:<strong data-ogsc="">&nbsp;</strong>experience with imaging sensors is also a plus for this job.&nbsp;</span></div> </li> </ul> <p><strong>Benefits:</strong></p> <ul> <li>401(k)</li> <li>5% Safe Harbor Contribution to 401k by Hellbender</li> <li>Dental insurance, 100% by Hellbender for employees and their families</li> <li>Health insurance, 100% by Hellbender for employees and their families</li> <li>Vision insurance, 100% by Hellbender for employees and their families</li> <li>Flexible spending account</li> <li>7.5 weeks total Paid time off</li> <li>Hellbender Inc. options through our Equity Incentive Plan</li> <li>Profit Sharing (through 401k)</li> <li>Hybrid work environment &amp; flexible work schedule&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><strong>Education &amp; Experience:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.</li> <li data-ogsc="rgb(15, 15, 15)"> <div data-ogsc="" data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">5-7<span data-ogsc="">&nbsp;years of experience specifically in Linux kernel-space development and driver writing.</span></div> </li> </ul> <p><strong>Work Location: </strong>UPARC Pittsburgh</p> <p><strong>Opportunity for advancement:&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>Hellbender is a growing business and follows a policy that prioritizes internal promotions. As new positions are created new opportunities for advancement will be created as well.</p>