Job Description & Details
This is a heavy-duty embedded systems role where you'll be knee-deep in Linux kernel development and Wi-Fi drivers. If you enjoy wrestling with mac80211 stacks, optimizing kernel performance, and making custom Yocto builds actually behave, this gig will keep you thoroughly engaged. It's a senior-level position requiring serious systems chops, not just high-level scripting.
What You'll Actually Be Doing
You'll spend your days architecting and debugging wireless driver solutions for embedded Linux environments. Expect to trace elusive kernel panics, optimize network throughput, and integrate wireless stacks into Yocto-based distributions. You'll work closely with hardware teams to bring up new silicon, ensure robust security protocols like WPA3 are working seamlessly, and occasionally contribute back to upstream open-source codebases.
The Core Tech Stack
Your C and C++ skills need to be razor-sharp since you'll be writing and modifying low-level kernel code. Deep familiarity with the Linux wireless subsystem (cfg80211 and mac80211) is non-negotiable here. You'll also need solid command over the Yocto Project for building custom distributions, plus a working knowledge of Python for scripting automation tasks and test harnesses. Understanding TCP/IP networking down to the packet level will save you countless hours of debugging.
Interview Expectations
Expect the hiring manager to ask you to walk through how you would debug a persistent kernel crash happening deep inside a custom wireless driver under heavy load. They want to hear about your systematic approach using tools like ftrace, JTAG, and logic analyzers, rather than just guessing solutions. You'll also likely be quizzed on the nuances of locking mechanisms within the Linux kernel and how you prevent race conditions in interrupt service routines.
Application Advice
Your resume needs to loudly and clearly highlight your direct experience with Linux kernel development and wireless stacks—generic software engineer bullets won't cut it here. Make sure to explicitly mention tools like mac80211, cfg80211, and Yocto right at the top so you easily clear the initial ATS filters. Focus heavily on your past successes in bringing up embedded hardware and solving complex multi-threaded debugging challenges.