Staff Engineer - Linux SDK

Job Title

Staff Engineer - Linux SDK

Role Summary

Owner of Linux bring-up and SDK validation for a 64-bit RISC‑V MPU SoC platform. Work in the Platform Software team to enable boot, kernel/BSP, device drivers, and SDK releases across pre-silicon, FPGA, and first-silicon stages.

Collaborate closely with system architects, hardware, safety, and customer teams to debug system-level issues and influence SoC/CPU decisions with empirical data.

Experience Level

Senior — typically 5+ years of experience in Embedded Linux platform/BSP development.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include delivering a production-quality SDK, validating platforms pre- and post-silicon, and coordinating cross-functional execution and customer enablement.

• Develop, enable, and release a production-quality Linux SDK for a 64-bit RISC‑V MPU (integration, validation, and developer documentation).
• Implement and maintain boot and firmware stack components (boot flow, early platform init, U-Boot, OpenSBI).
• Drive Linux kernel/BSP enablement: SoC bring-up, Device Tree, CPU/memory/interrupt subsystems.
• Develop and debug device drivers for multimedia, connectivity, DMA, power/clock/reset, and platform services.
• Create and execute pre- and post-silicon validation tests on FPGA, emulation, and first silicon; perform system-level root-cause analysis across HW/FW/kernel.
• Partner with architects, hardware, and safety teams to define requirements, de-risk schedules, and influence next-generation CPU/SoC features.
• Support OEMs and early adopters during enablement and upstream appropriate fixes to the ecosystem.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and practical experience for immediate contribution.

Must-have:

• 5+ years in Embedded Linux platform/BSP development.
• Expert-level C programming; ability to read low-level firmware and kernel code.
• Deep Linux internals knowledge: boot flow, MMU/memory management, interrupts, SMP.
• Hands-on SoC/platform bring-up experience and ownership of BSP quality.
• Practical experience with U-Boot, Linux kernel, Device Tree, and Yocto/OpenEmbedded.
• Debugging skills with GDB and at least one debug interface/tool (OpenOCD/JTAG, Lauterbach, or similar).
• Experience with FPGA, emulation, or early-silicon platforms for validation.

Nice-to-have:

• RISC‑V (RV64) experience or exposure to other application-class CPU architectures.
• Background in pre-silicon/FPGA validation or post-silicon debug and triage.
• Experience with multimedia subsystems (camera, display, audio) and their Linux stacks.
• Familiarity with platform security (secure boot, trusted firmware, firmware/OS boundaries).
• Experience with QEMU, virtual platforms, emulation workflows, or CI/CD for 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.