At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and validate drivers for new ARM SoC hardware in a fully remote role.
- Company: Join a leading global semiconductor company with innovative projects.
- Benefits: High pay, flexible remote work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with real hardware challenges and the chance to make an impact.
- Why this job: Work on cutting-edge silicon projects and contribute to upstream Linux development.
- Qualifications: Strong C skills, Linux kernel experience, and familiarity with ARM/SoC.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Linux Kernel Engineer - Upstream / ARM So C Enablement (Contract, Fully Remote) I'm looking for an experienced Linux kernel engineer to work on new ARM So C enablement with a major global semiconductor company.
This is on a long term, high pay, fully remote working basis.
What the work looks like This is new-silicon work, not maintenance of an existing BSP.
You'd take peripherals from the hardware reference manual through Device Tree and driver development, then on to hardware validation and upstream submission.
The core areas are: Peripheral and controller drivers written from the hardware manual: SPI, I C, DMA and interrupt routing High-speed interfaces such as PCIe (helpful, but not essential) Device Tree development Board bring-up and low-level hardware debugging You'll also touch ASo C, pinctrl, Ethernet/PHY and thermal drivers.
You don't need to know all of these in depth.
The kind of problem you'll be solving A peripheral won't probe, enumerate or raise interrupts, and you have to work out why.
Is it the hardware configuration, the clocks or resets, the interrupt routing, the Device Tree, the status register handling, or the driver?
There's also the challenge of supporting several So C variants that share IP but differ in registers, interrupts and quirks, without ending up with duplicated drivers.
What I'm looking for Strong C and Linux kernel fundamentals, with ARM/So C experience Experience writing drivers from a hardware manual or datasheet (platform drivers, probe/remove, clocks, resets, interrupts, DMA), not only Device Tree changes or small fixes Upstream Linux contributions: patches accepted into mainline, working with maintainers, responding to review, and handling patch series Hands-on hardware debugging on real boards A bonus: Yocto, CIP kernels, or automated hardware testing (pytest/LAVA) If you've worked on vendor kernels or BSPs and have upstream patches behind you, I'd like to hear from you.
You don't need PCIe experience, or a long list of subsystems on your CV.
Fully remote (work from anywhere in Europe) Contract role, highly competitive rate Real silicon, real hardware Genuine upstream Linux work
Linux Kernel Upstream Engineer employer: X4 Group
Join a forward-thinking engineering team that values innovation and flexibility, offering a majority remote working environment with the opportunity to engage in high-performance projects. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will benefit from a comprehensive benefits package and long-term career progression while collaborating with skilled professionals in Hampshire. This role not only promises technical challenges but also fosters a supportive work culture that encourages creativity and teamwork.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Linux Kernel Upstream Engineer
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at X4 Group or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to X4 Group.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like X4 Group.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like X4 Group that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Linux Kernel Upstream Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at X4 Group.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at X4 Group and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at X4 Group
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If X4 Group uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
