Engineering Manager, Embedded Linux Platform

Firestorm•San Diego, CA

14h•$185,000 - $228,000•Onsite

About The Position

Firestorm Labs is seeking an experienced and driven Engineering Manager, Embedded Linux Platform to lead the development, integration, and deployment of embedded Linux platform software for our next-generation unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This role combines deep technical ownership with people leadership, requiring a strong background in embedded Linux, BSP and kernel development, system software, and cross-domain platform integration across hardware, avionics, multimedia, networking, and RF environments. In this role, you will lead and mentor engineers responsible for the embedded Linux platform as well as adjacent systems software domains including multimedia and camera systems, and network and communications software. You will work closely with hardware, avionics, autonomy, flight test, manufacturing, and program teams to ensure platform capabilities are robust, secure, high performance, and mission ready. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader who is detail-oriented, execution-focused, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment where rapid iteration, integration, and field validation are core to success.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field
At least 10 years of experience in embedded Linux, systems software, platform software, or related technical development
At least 2 years of experience directly managing engineers or serving in a technical leadership role with responsibility for mentoring, execution, and team development
U.S. Citizenship required due to the nature of the work and the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance
Deep expertise in embedded Linux software development, including OS customization, kernel configuration and development, BSP adaptation, system integration, and low-level debugging
Strong experience with Ubuntu- or Debian-based embedded platforms, including customization and optimization for specific hardware targets
Strong experience with NVIDIA Jetson platforms and JetPack SDK, including BSP customization, driver integration, and optimization of GPU-accelerated applications
Strong proficiency in C/C++ and Linux systems programming, with solid understanding of Linux internals, concurrency, process models, filesystems, drivers, and hardware interfaces
Expertise in Linux kernel development and tuning, including PREEMPT_RT or comparable real-time techniques
Strong proficiency in device tree development and hardware-software integration for complex embedded platforms
Extensive experience with packaging and deployment systems such as deb, snap, APT repositories, or similar mechanisms
Proven experience designing and implementing OTA update systems and reliable rollback strategies using tools such as Mender, Balena, or equivalent frameworks
Experience in OS and BSP bring-up on new hardware platforms, including bootloader integration, hardware initialization, and low-level debug workflows
Strong understanding of TCP/IP networking and embedded networked systems
Strong scripting and automation experience in Python and Bash
Knowledge of security best practices for embedded systems, including system hardening, authentication, encryption, secure communications, and secure boot concepts
Demonstrated ability to collaborate across hardware, avionics, systems, application software, and test teams in a fast-paced product environment
Strong technical writing skills for documenting architectures, systems, procedures, test plans, and troubleshooting steps

Nice To Haves

12+ years of experience in embedded Linux, platform software, autonomous systems, robotics, aerospace, or defense technology environments
Experience leading teams in high-tech, aerospace, robotics, or DoD-related environments, including prior work with aircraft, spacecraft, unmanned systems, or mission-critical platforms
Proven track record delivering embedded Linux platforms from development through fielding in defense or commercial systems
Experience with embedded build systems such as Yocto Project or Buildroot, including adapting Linux distributions for embedded and production environments
Deep understanding of bootloader customization, secure boot flows, ARM Trusted Firmware, cryptographic integrity checks, and key management
Experience with Docker and container-based deployment workflows for embedded systems, including image optimization for resource-constrained devices
Experience with CI/CD systems such as Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or Azure DevOps for automated build, test, packaging, and deployment workflows
Working knowledge of ROS 2, DDS, or similar robotics middleware for distributed autonomous systems
Experience with AI/ML deployment and inference optimization on embedded platforms using technologies such as CUDA, TensorRT, or similar acceleration frameworks
Experience with multimedia and camera system software, including GStreamer or similar frameworks for streaming, storage, encoding, decoding, and low-latency video transport
Familiarity with video codecs and streaming protocols such as H.264, H.265, RTSP, RTMP, MPEG-DASH, or HLS
Experience integrating camera sensors, gimbals, or other vision systems into embedded Linux platforms and distributed vehicle applications
Experience with communications software for radios, satellite systems, tactical datalinks, SDRs, or distributed networking in contested or bandwidth-constrained environments
Familiarity with communication protocols and hardware interfaces such as CAN, SPI, I2C, UART, MAVLink, MQTT, WebSockets, or RESTful APIs
Experience with virtualization or emulation technologies such as KVM or QEMU for platform development and validation
Familiarity with SITL, HIL, or other simulation and integration test environments
Knowledge of filesystem optimization techniques for embedded systems such as SquashFS, UBIFS, or similar technologies
Contributions to open-source projects related to embedded Linux, kernel development, networking, multimedia, or system optimization are a plus
Advanced degree in Engineering, Engineering Management, MBA, or a related technical discipline is a plus

Responsibilities

Lead and grow a multidisciplinary software team spanning embedded Linux platform, BSP and OS bring-up, multimedia and camera systems, and network and communications software for mission-critical UAS platforms
Manage, mentor, and develop engineers across platform and systems software disciplines, including performance management, coaching, hiring, career development, and technical leadership
Own technical execution, team priorities, staffing alignment, and delivery for embedded Linux platform roadmap items across IRAD, product development, integration, deployment, and field support activities
Guide Linux platform development for Ubuntu- and Debian-based embedded systems, including kernel configuration, PREEMPT_RT tuning, BSP customization, device tree development, bootloader integration, and low-level hardware bring-up
Provide technical leadership for platform enablement on NVIDIA Jetson and similar embedded compute platforms, including JetPack adaptation, driver integration, GPU-accelerated application support, and system optimization for real-time autonomous workloads
Oversee the design and maintenance of Linux services, middleware, APIs, and application frameworks that interface with avionics, payloads, cameras, radios, storage, and mission software
Drive system-level integration of embedded Linux software with avionics subsystems, multimedia pipelines, network stacks, radios, satellite links, and distributed mission applications
Support the development and optimization of multimedia and camera system software, including streaming, encoding, decoding, storage, metadata handling, and control interfaces for camera and gimbal systems
Support the development of network and communications software for tactical radios, satellite systems, datalinks, embedded network services, and distributed microservice-based architectures
Establish and enforce engineering best practices for code quality, architecture, security, CI/CD, containerization, packaging, OTA updates, observability, testing, and documentation
Lead technical trade studies, design reviews, architecture reviews, root-cause investigations, and integration planning across platform, multimedia, networking, and hardware/software boundary layers
Oversee the creation and maintenance of custom Linux packages, package repositories, container images, deployment tooling, and fail-safe OTA update strategies with rollback capabilities
Guide performance analysis and optimization efforts using tools such as perf, ftrace, strace, and other profiling/debugging tooling to meet low-latency, high-throughput, and real-time system goals
Translate mission and operational requirements into technical specifications, integration plans, team objectives, and execution milestones
Oversee the design, execution, and documentation of validation plans, integration guides, test reports, troubleshooting manuals, and release artifacts
Collaborate with internal engineering teams and leverage Firestorm’s manufacturing and simulation capabilities to accelerate deployment cycles and field readiness
Serve as a key interface across engineering, flight test, operations, and program stakeholders to ensure platform maturity, mission readiness, and timely delivery

Benefits

We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and visions plans
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals
Equity grants for new hires
Unlimited PTO
Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in November, & December.
Generous Parental Leave
Lifestyle Spending Account
FSA
DCFSA
HSA
Hospital Indemnity insurance
Critical Illness insurance
Accident insurance
Basic Life/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance, 100% covered by Firestorm. Plus, the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your family.
Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available to you as well.