Senior OS/Kernel Engineer

NIO•San Jose, CA

About The Position

We are seeking a senior OS / kernel engineer to join our SkyOS team. The team is responsible for the design and development of NIO's full-domain vehicle operating systems. The position will explore new ideas and designs that can make systems software faster, more dependable, and intelligent, from proof of concept to final production quality. You will have the opportunity to work on almost every layer of systems software, including kernel, networking, file system, drivers, hypervisor, libc, build system, etc, to optimize the system from high-level architecture down to the choice of assembly instructions, to bring high-impact innovations onto production systems by collaborating with engineering teams. If you enjoy building systems from scratch, writing high quality system code, optimizing performance, and shaping the future of systems software for intelligent EVs, the stage is ready for you.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related fields.
Strong background and hands-on experience in operating system internals, virtualization, or system security.
Solid understanding of computer hardware architecture, with practical experience in at least one of the following: x86, Arm, or RISC-V.
Proficiency in C, assembly, and/or Rust.
Proven ability to navigate, debug, and improve complex, low-level codebases.
Strong troubleshooting skills to diagnose and resolve complex system-level performance, memory, and stability issues.
Ability to work independently on ambiguous technical problems while remaining a strong, communicative team collaborator.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
Familiarity with the latest academic research in systems (e.g., papers from SOSP, OSDI, ASPLOS) and a track record of applying these concepts to solve industry problems.
Experience modifying, extending, or building core system software components (such as custom kernel modules, hypervisors, real-time operating systems (RTOS), or network stacks).
Exposure to microkernel architectures or automotive/safety-critical operating systems.
Familiarity with formal verification methods or automotive safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262).

Responsibilities

Prototype and evaluate advanced systems software concepts, including kernels, file systems, drivers, and networking, to improve system performance, safety, and dependability.
Design, implement, and optimize critical low-level system components to fulfill strict real-time performance and safety goals.
Contribute to the long-term systems software architecture and help guide technical decisions within the smart EV infrastructure.
Collaborate closely with broader engineering teams to transition prototypes and advanced concepts into highly reliable, production-ready deployments.

Benefits

Anthem Blue Cross, HSA, and Kaiser HMO medical plans with $0 for Employee Only Coverage.
Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plan. Both provide options with a $0 paycheck contribution covering you and your eligible dependents.
Company Paid HSA (Health Savings Account) Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Anthem Blue Cross medical plan
Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
401(k) with Brokerage Link option
Company paid Basic Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Sick and Vacation time
13 Paid Holidays a year
Paid Parental Leave for first 8 weeks at full pay (eligible after 90 days of employment with NIO)
Paid Disability Leave for first 6 weeks at full pay (eligible after 90 days of employment with NIO)
Voluntary benefits including: Voluntary Life and AD&D options for you, your spouse/domestic partner and dependent child(ren), pet insurance
Commuter benefits
Mobile Cell Phone Credit
Free lunch and snacks
Onsite gym
Employee discounts and perks program