Staff Embedded Linux Engineer

Description

Hybrid (2-4 Days/week): Charlestown, MA Headquarters

Step into a foundational engineering role at a fast-growing grid intelligence company. 

We are seeking a Staff Embedded Linux Engineer to join our customer focused team, take charge of the Linux kernel, drivers, and bootloader beneath our current technology, and shape the embedded architecture of future generation products.

LineVision’s customers include eight of the ten largest US utilities, which rely on field deployed device sensors to run securely and reliably. You will work on ruggedized, solar-powered sensors mounted on poles away from the transmission lines they monitor. Each pairs a Linux compute module with a companion microcontroller, connects over cellular, and must run for years without a site visit.

Reporting to the Senior Manager of Embedded Software Engineering, you will have broad autonomy over kernel and bootloader maintenance, security patching, board bring-up, system software improvements, and device security, including secure boot. You will bridge a hardware-focused embedded team with Data Science and Computer Vision, moving algorithms onto the device and raising the team’s software depth, delivering LineVision devices that are lean, secure, and ready for what comes next.

Please note: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

What will you do?

Core Responsibilities and Key Performance Objectives

• Maintain the Linux kernel and bootloader on LineVision devices, including security patching, driver development, and operating system improvements
• Lead board bring-up on new hardware platforms, from first boot through production
• Drive system software improvements across the device platform, including performance, power efficiency, and reliability
• Design hardware-level device security, including secure boot and factory-signed software, with hardware and manufacturing teams
• Work with Data Science and Computer Vision to adapt algorithms for low-footprint, on-device execution, using the NPU, GPU, and other hardware blocks where they save CPU and power
• Own the Linux BSP and build system for the platform, including device trees, OS image releases, and the kernel and bootloader upgrade strategy
• Lead root cause analysis on cross-layer problems such as kernel crashes, power and thermal behavior, and field or manufacturing failures that span hardware and software
• Influence SoC, module, and peripheral selection for future hardware, weighing Linux support, vendor BSP quality, long-term maintainability, and security features
• Set technical standards for embedded Linux through design reviews, code review, and mentoring, and act as the technical resource for engineers across hardware, firmware, and cloud application software

Within the first 3 months:

• Assume day-to-day responsibility for kernel, driver, and bootloader work, with a documented security patching process
• Baseline current system performance, including boot time, shutdown time, and power draw
• Review the platform’s kernel, bootloader, and security posture and present a prioritized technical roadmap to Engineering leadership

Within the first 6 months:

• Ship production system software improvements with measurable gains against the baseline
• Define the device security architecture and roadmap with Hardware Engineering, Manufacturing, and the security team, covering secure boot and chain of trust, signed software and updates, key management and factory provisioning, protection of debug and physical interfaces, data protection, and regulatory cybersecurity requirements such as EU RED

Within the first year:

• Lead the embedded software architecture for the next generation sensor, covering OS, bootloader, update mechanism, and security, and document the decisions for the wider team
• Establish a repeatable workflow with Data Science and Computer Vision for moving models and algorithms onto the device
• Grow the team’s embedded Linux depth through design reviews, code review, and coaching, so kernel and driver work no longer depends on one person

How to succeed in this role

Key Competencies

• Critical Thinking: Develop frameworks for solving complex embedded problems, from kernel behavior to hardware interactions. Mentor teammates in structured debugging and root cause analysis.
• Delivering Innovative Solutions: Develop strategies for the device software platform, including the next generation, and guide the team in executing them.
• Empowering Others: Coach engineers on Linux and software practices while learning about LineVision’s hardware from teammates. Drive initiatives that develop the team.
• Stakeholder Management: Develop approaches for working with Data Science, Computer Vision, and hardware teams. Influence decisions on what runs where on the device.

Essential Skills

• Linux kernel and device driver development in C, including device trees and common bus and camera interfaces
• Bootloader development (U-Boot or similar) and board bring-up of new SoCs or modules
• Embedded Linux security patching and maintenance over a multi-year product life, including CVE triage and kernel upgrades
• A software engineering background with strong working knowledge of hardware: reading schematics and datasheets, debugging with JTAG, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers
• Scripting in Python and Bash
• A track record of technical leadership: setting direction for a platform or subsystem and raising the bar for the engineers around you

What Sets the Best Candidates Apart

• Hardware-level device security experience, including secure boot, chain of trust, key management, and secure factory provisioning
• Experience optimizing embedded Linux for boot time, power, and reliability
• Experience running workloads on NPUs or GPUs
• Experience with OTA update systems for deployed fleets, including A/B partitioning and rollback
• Yocto/OpenEmbedded, FreeRTOS, or Rust experience
• Upstream Linux kernel contributions, or cybersecurity compliance experience such as EU RED / EN 18031

Reporting & Team Structure

• Reports to Senior Manager Embedded Software Engineering, and joins an embedded team of engineers with deep hardware expertise.
• Collaborates closely with Data Science, Software Engineering, and Hardware Engineering.

Interview Process

• Apply Online.
• Round 1: Phone screen (Recruiter)
• Round 2: Hiring Manager Interview
• Round 3: Panel Interviews
  • Panel 1: Technical competency & experience
  • Panel 2: Teamwork, culture fit, and customer presence
• Final Round: Leadership Team & Hiring Manager Sign-Off

What does joining LineVision mean for you?

• Impact. Your talent, time, and energy will critically impact our success in accelerating our mission of providing utilities with grid intelligence to enable affordable, reliable power.
• Ownership. You will hold broad responsibilities with high autonomy and trust in a communicative, collaborative, and fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility. You will be empowered to maintain work-life balance with trust-based PTO and a flexible work schedule. 
• Real World Innovation. You will join a motivated and high-performing team working with cutting edge, patented technology to help solve key obstacles to meet the demands of an AI-powered future.

Who we are…

LineVision is a grid-enhancing technology company enabling electric utilities to deliver affordable, reliable power and accelerate the electrification of the global economy. Our grid intelligence platform delivers the most accurate, network-wide dynamic line ratings and enables safer, more reliable grid operations with a combination of optical sensors and advanced environmental modeling. LineVision's global customer base includes eight of the ten largest US utilities, including National Grid, Southern Company, and Exelon. 

We are LineVisionaries: 

• We are Innovators: We light the way with tenacious creativity and do good work. 
• We are Empowered: With high trust and high autonomy, the floor is yours, and the opportunity is ours.
• We are Welcoming: Come as you are, our doors are open. We are better together. 
• We are Trusted Partners: We elevate our customer champions through shared thought leadership. We deliver on commitments.
• We are All In: We are building a community of passionate individuals who want to dent the universe. 

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S.

The base salary range for this role is $160,000-190,000 USD. Final compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, education, and other relevant qualifications. This role is also eligible to participate in a company bonus plan. In addition to base salary, LineVision offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and disability insurance, commuter benefits, a 401(k) with company match, and trust-based paid time off. Benefits are subject to eligibility requirements.

At LineVision there’s no such thing as a "perfect" candidate. We are looking for exceptional people who want to make a positive impact through their work and facilitate an organization where everyone can thrive. So whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this role would make you excited to come to work every day.

LineVision embraces AI, and we understand leveraging AI in your job search. As an actual member of LineVision's hiring team reviews every application, we kindly ask that any final materials you submit reflect your own voice and authentic human experience. 

Meet our team, and understand our mission:  https://www.linevisioninc.com/about-us