Linux Platform Software Engineer

Impulse Space • Redondo Beach, CA

108d • $120,000 - $180,000

About The Position

Impulse Space is seeking a Linux Platform Software Engineer to develop and maintain the foundational software stack that powers our avionics platforms. This role requires deep expertise in embedded Linux, low-level hardware/software integration, and platform engineering practices to ensure secure, reliable, and maintainable systems.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related degrees.
• Experience building and maintaining Yocto-based embedded Linux distributions for custom boards.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, configure, and debug Linux kernel drivers.
• Demonstrated experience developing in C/C++, with ability to work in constrained, low-level environments.

Nice To Haves

• Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical documentation, design reviews, and cross-discipline collaboration.
• Experience with UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, and similar buses.
• Strong understanding of embedded software principles, real-time constraints, and resource-limited systems.
• Experience with OTA update design and deployment (e.g., dual-partition or rollback-safe systems).
• Familiarity with system hardening and security frameworks (SELinux, AppArmor, secure boot, TPM/cryptographic key management).
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines for embedded systems (e.g., GitLab, Jenkins, CircleCI).
• Familiarity with containerization and reproducible build techniques for embedded platforms.
• Hands-on experience with oscilloscopes, hardware debuggers, and signal analyzers.

Responsibilities

• Build, configure, and maintain a Yocto-based Linux distribution for custom avionics hardware.
• Manage kernel configuration, system services, and integration of middleware components.
• Perform initial board bring-up of avionics computers.
• Debug hardware/software integration issues across CPU, memory, and peripheral subsystems.
• Develop, port, and maintain Linux device drivers for sensors, communication buses, and memory devices.
• Debug kernel-space and user-space interactions using hardware debuggers and tracing tools.
• Implement secure boot and code signing for flight-critical binaries.
• Configure and manage router certificates and other cryptographic assets.
• Apply Linux security frameworks such as AppArmor and SELinux for mandatory access control.
• Design and maintain OTA update infrastructure with rollback/A-B partitioning support.
• Manage system configuration, startup scripts, and fault-tolerant resource allocation.

Benefits

• Base salary of $120,000 - $180,000 per year.
• Eligibility for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options.
• Access to medical, vision & dental coverage.
• Access to a 401(k) retirement plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees