Junior Operating Systems Engineer (Embedded Linux / Yocto)
About The Position
This full-time, on-site position in San Diego, CA, requires an active U.S. national security clearance. The role involves building and maintaining custom Linux images using the Yocto Project, supporting an immutable, A/B-updatable OS image architecture with secure boot and update tooling, and packaging, integrating, and troubleshooting system services, drivers, and third-party software on embedded x86 hardware. Responsibilities also include contributing to OS hardening efforts (FIPS mode, secure boot, compliance-driven configuration), debugging various OS-level issues on real hardware, and utilizing generative AI tools daily for development acceleration. The engineer will also be responsible for writing clear documentation for build processes, image releases, and provisioning workflows.
Requirements
- Currently holds an active U.S. national security clearance or be able to receive and maintain one.
- Build and maintain custom Linux images using the Yocto Project (recipes, layers, BitBake, kernel configuration)
- Support an immutable, A/B-updatable OS image architecture, including secure boot and update tooling
- Package, integrate, and troubleshoot system services, drivers, and third-party software on embedded x86 hardware
- Contribute to OS hardening efforts (FIPS mode, secure boot, compliance-driven configuration)
- Debug boot, kernel, driver, and userspace issues on real appliance hardware
- Use generative AI tools daily to accelerate development: writing and reviewing recipes, generating test scaffolding, drafting documentation, and debugging build failures
- Write clear documentation for build processes, image releases, and provisioning workflows
Nice To Haves
- Hands-on experience with the Yocto Project, Buildroot, or another embedded Linux build system
- Exposure to Rocky Linux / RHEL-family distributions
- Familiarity with secure boot, TPM, disk encryption, or FIPS 140-3 concepts
- Experience with network security tooling (Suricata, Zeek, packet capture)
- Exposure to compliance frameworks (CMMC, NIST 800-171)
- Basic C or Rust reading ability for kernel/driver troubleshooting
- Homelab, open-source contributions, or relevant personal projects
Responsibilities
- Build and maintain custom Linux images using the Yocto Project (recipes, layers, BitBake, kernel configuration)
- Support an immutable, A/B-updatable OS image architecture, including secure boot and update tooling
- Package, integrate, and troubleshoot system services, drivers, and third-party software on embedded x86 hardware
- Contribute to OS hardening efforts (FIPS mode, secure boot, compliance-driven configuration)
- Debug boot, kernel, driver, and userspace issues on real appliance hardware
- Use generative AI tools daily to accelerate development: writing and reviewing recipes, generating test scaffolding, drafting documentation, and debugging build failures
- Write clear documentation for build processes, image releases, and provisioning workflows
Benefits
- Paid Time Off
- Paid Company Holidays
- Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
- Optional HSA and FSA
- Base and Voluntary Life Insurance
- Short Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance
- 401k Matching
- Employee Assistance Program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
