Staff Engineer - Linux Kernel Developer

Job Title

Staff Engineer - Linux Kernel Developer

Role Summary

Work on Linux bring-up and SDK development for a 64-bit RISC-V MPU SoC. Own SDK releases and validation across pre-silicon, FPGA, and first-silicon stages, and collaborate with CPU architects, hardware, and system teams to enable SoC features and support early customers.

Experience Level

Senior — typically 3–5 years of experience in Embedded Linux platform/BSP development (as stated by the employer).

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include Linux platform enablement, SDK delivery, validation, and cross-functional debugging.

• Develop, enable, and maintain a production-quality Linux SDK for a 64-bit RISC-V MPU.
• Enable the boot and firmware stack: early platform initialization, U-Boot, OpenSBI.
• Drive kernel/BSP enablement: Device Tree, CPU/memory/interrupt subsystems and SoC bring-up.
• Develop and debug device drivers (multimedia, connectivity, DMA, power/clock/reset, platform services).
• Create and run pre- and post-silicon validation tests on FPGA, emulation, and first silicon; perform system-level root-cause analysis.
• Integrate, validate, and document SDK releases for developer adoption.
• Collaborate with architects, hardware, safety teams, and customers to define requirements, land features, and de-risk schedules.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and hands-on experience.

• 3–5 years experience in Embedded Linux platform/BSP development (as listed by employer).
• Expert-level C programming; comfortable reading low-level firmware and kernel code.
• Strong Linux internals knowledge: boot flow, memory management/MMU, interrupts, SMP.
• Hands-on SoC/platform bring-up experience and ownership mindset for BSP quality.
• Experience with U-Boot, Linux kernel, Device Tree, and Yocto/OpenEmbedded.
• Debugging skills with GDB and at least one of OpenOCD/JTAG, Lauterbach, or similar tools.
• Experience working on FPGA, emulation, or early-silicon platforms for validation.

Nice-to-have:

• RISC-V (RV64) experience or strong exposure to other application-class CPU architectures.
• Background in pre-silicon/FPGA validation or post-silicon debug and triage.
• Experience with multimedia subsystems, platform security, QEMU/virtual platforms, or CI/CD and automated validation.

Education Requirements

B.E./B.Tech or M.E./M.Tech in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

About the Company

Company: GlobalFoundries

Headquarters: Saratoga Springs, New York, USA

GlobalFoundries is a leading contract manufacturer for the global semiconductor industry, with facilities in multiple countries, including the USA. The company develops a broad portfolio of semiconductor technologies and employs around 13,000 people worldwide. GlobalFoundries focuses on enhancing competitiveness in specialized application solutions and fostering innovation in mobile communications, consumer electronics, and automotive applications.