Linux Kernel Engineer (Device Driver Developer)

HELLBENDER Inc.•Pittsburgh, PA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Hellbender Inc. is seeking a highly specialized Linux Kernel Engineer to lead the development and integration of device drivers for their 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. 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 custom Linux distributions using Yocto or Buildroot.

Requirements

Expert-level proficiency in C, specifically regarding kernel-space constraints (no standard libraries, manual memory management, interrupt context awareness).
Deep understanding of the Linux kernel subsystem architecture, including Interrupt Service Routines (ISRs), Concurrency/Spinlocks, DMA, and the Linux Device Model.
Strong experience working with low-level communication protocols (e.g., I2C, SPI, UART, PCIe, USB, or Ethernet).
Proven ability to read and interpret complex hardware datasheets, register maps, and timing diagrams to drive software implementation.
Hands-on experience with Yocto Project (BitBake, recipes, layers) or Buildroot for creating custom Linux images.
Proficiency in writing and maintaining Device Tree Source (DTS) and Device Tree Overlay (DTBO) files.
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
5-7 years of experience specifically in Linux kernel-space development and driver writing.

Nice To Haves

Experience using hardware debugging tools such as Logic Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, or JTAG debuggers.
Experience with specific processor architectures (e.g., ARM, RISC-V, or x86).
Previous experience contributing to the upstream Linux kernel or working on specific subsystems (e.g., Industrial I/O (IIO), Network, or Input subsystems).
Proficiency in Python for automating hardware testing and data parsing.
Experience with imaging sensors.

Responsibilities

Design, implement, and maintain Linux device drivers (e.g., I2C, SPI, PCIe, USB, or custom SoC peripherals) within the Linux kernel space.
Lead the initial software bring-up of new hardware components, ensuring that all peripheral interfaces are communicating correctly with the CPU.
Perform deep-dive analysis of hardware datasheets, register maps, and electrical specifications to implement correct register-level logic and timing sequences.
Integrate newly developed drivers into custom Linux distributions using build systems such as Yocto Project or Buildroot, including the management of Device Tree (DTS) modifications.
Use advanced kernel debugging techniques to resolve issues related to interrupts, DMA (Direct Memory Access), concurrency/locking, and memory corruption.
Work closely with hardware engineers to validate electrical signals against software behavior using logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, or protocol analyzers.