Staff Engineer - Linux Kernel Developer

Job Title

Staff Engineer - Linux Kernel Developer

Role Summary

Develop and validate the Linux foundation and SDK for a 64-bit RISC-V application-class MPU SoC. The role is on the Platform Software team and partners with architecture, hardware, validation and ecosystem teams to deliver SDK releases from pre-silicon through first silicon.

Experience Level

Senior. The posting specifies strong Embedded Linux platform/BSP experience; typical experience noted: 3–5 years in embedded Linux platform/BSP development.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include Linux SDK development, kernel and boot enablement, platform validation, and cross-functional execution to ship production SDKs.

• Design, build, and release a production-quality Linux SDK for a 64-bit RISC-V MPU.
• Enable boot and firmware stack: boot flow, early platform initialization, U-Boot, OpenSBI.
• Drive Linux kernel/BSP enablement: SoC bring-up, Device Tree, CPU/memory/interrupt subsystems.
• Develop and debug device drivers (multimedia, connectivity, DMA, power/clock/reset, platform services).
• Create and run platform tests; validate on FPGA, emulation, and first silicon; perform system-level debug and root-cause analysis.
• Integrate, validate, and document SDK releases for developer consumption.
• Collaborate with architects, hardware, safety teams, and external OEM/Tier‑1 partners; provide feedback to influence SoC/CPU features and roadmaps.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and platform experience; nice-to-have items summarized at the end.

• Expert-level C programming and ability to read 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.
• Strong 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) or other application-class CPU architecture exposure; multimedia subsystem experience; platform security (secure boot, trusted firmware) familiarity; QEMU/virtual platforms and CI/CD/automated validation exposure.

Education Requirements

B.E./B.Tech or M.E./M.Tech in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field (as specified in the posting).

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.