Engineering Manager, Embedded Linux Platform
Firestorm
Software Engineering, Other Engineering
San Diego, CA, USA
Posted on Mar 13, 2026
Engineering Manager, Embedded Linux Platform
San Diego, CA
Engineering
In office
Full-time
Who We Are
At Firestorm, we’re on a mission to revolutionize how defense solutions are designed and delivered. Our goal is to empower U.S. ally nations to effectively deter aggressors — regardless of their defense budget — through innovative, cost-efficient technologies. We call this vision “democratized deterrence.” As a VC-backed company at the intersection of defense and Silicon Valley, we’re pioneering the development of mission-adaptable aerial vehicles that put power back into the hands of operators. By prioritizing operator effectiveness, we’re pioneering a new era of aerial vehicle design. We aim to upend the traditional defense procurement model by delivering world-class capabilities at a fraction of the usual cost. Join us at Firestorm as we redefine defense procurement, making cutting-edge technology accessible to all at a fraction of the cost.
About the Role
Firestorm Labs is seeking an experienced and driven Engineering Manager, Embedded Linux Platform to lead the development, integration, and deployment of embedded Linux platform software for our next-generation unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This role combines deep technical ownership with people leadership, requiring a strong background in embedded Linux, BSP and kernel development, system software, and cross-domain platform integration across hardware, avionics, multimedia, networking, and RF environments.
In this role, you will lead and mentor engineers responsible for the embedded Linux platform as well as adjacent systems software domains including multimedia and camera systems, and network and communications software. You will work closely with hardware, avionics, autonomy, flight test, manufacturing, and program teams to ensure platform capabilities are robust, secure, high performance, and mission ready. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader who is detail-oriented, execution-focused, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment where rapid iteration, integration, and field validation are core to success.
What You'll Do
- Lead and grow a multidisciplinary software team spanning embedded Linux platform, BSP and OS bring-up, multimedia and camera systems, and network and communications software for mission-critical UAS platforms
- Manage, mentor, and develop engineers across platform and systems software disciplines, including performance management, coaching, hiring, career development, and technical leadership
- Own technical execution, team priorities, staffing alignment, and delivery for embedded Linux platform roadmap items across IRAD, product development, integration, deployment, and field support activities
- Guide Linux platform development for Ubuntu- and Debian-based embedded systems, including kernel configuration, PREEMPT_RT tuning, BSP customization, device tree development, bootloader integration, and low-level hardware bring-up
- Provide technical leadership for platform enablement on NVIDIA Jetson and similar embedded compute platforms, including JetPack adaptation, driver integration, GPU-accelerated application support, and system optimization for real-time autonomous workloads
- Oversee the design and maintenance of Linux services, middleware, APIs, and application frameworks that interface with avionics, payloads, cameras, radios, storage, and mission software
- Drive system-level integration of embedded Linux software with avionics subsystems, multimedia pipelines, network stacks, radios, satellite links, and distributed mission applications
- Support the development and optimization of multimedia and camera system software, including streaming, encoding, decoding, storage, metadata handling, and control interfaces for camera and gimbal systems
- Support the development of network and communications software for tactical radios, satellite systems, datalinks, embedded network services, and distributed microservice-based architectures
- Establish and enforce engineering best practices for code quality, architecture, security, CI/CD, containerization, packaging, OTA updates, observability, testing, and documentation
- Lead technical trade studies, design reviews, architecture reviews, root-cause investigations, and integration planning across platform, multimedia, networking, and hardware/software boundary layers
- Oversee the creation and maintenance of custom Linux packages, package repositories, container images, deployment tooling, and fail-safe OTA update strategies with rollback capabilities
- Guide performance analysis and optimization efforts using tools such as perf, ftrace, strace, and other profiling/debugging tooling to meet low-latency, high-throughput, and real-time system goals
- Translate mission and operational requirements into technical specifications, integration plans, team objectives, and execution milestones
- Oversee the design, execution, and documentation of validation plans, integration guides, test reports, troubleshooting manuals, and release artifacts
- Collaborate with internal engineering teams and leverage Firestorm’s manufacturing and simulation capabilities to accelerate deployment cycles and field readiness
- Serve as a key interface across engineering, flight test, operations, and program stakeholders to ensure platform maturity, mission readiness, and timely delivery
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field
- At least 10 years of experience in embedded Linux, systems software, platform software, or related technical development
- At least 2 years of experience directly managing engineers or serving in a technical leadership role with responsibility for mentoring, execution, and team development
- U.S. Citizenship required due to the nature of the work and the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance
- Deep expertise in embedded Linux software development, including OS customization, kernel configuration and development, BSP adaptation, system integration, and low-level debugging
- Strong experience with Ubuntu- or Debian-based embedded platforms, including customization and optimization for specific hardware targets
- Strong experience with NVIDIA Jetson platforms and JetPack SDK, including BSP customization, driver integration, and optimization of GPU-accelerated applications
- Strong proficiency in C/C++ and Linux systems programming, with solid understanding of Linux internals, concurrency, process models, filesystems, drivers, and hardware interfaces
- Expertise in Linux kernel development and tuning, including PREEMPT_RT or comparable real-time techniques
- Strong proficiency in device tree development and hardware-software integration for complex embedded platforms
- Extensive experience with packaging and deployment systems such as deb, snap, APT repositories, or similar mechanisms
- Proven experience designing and implementing OTA update systems and reliable rollback strategies using tools such as Mender, Balena, or equivalent frameworks
- Experience in OS and BSP bring-up on new hardware platforms, including bootloader integration, hardware initialization, and low-level debug workflows
- Strong understanding of TCP/IP networking and embedded networked systems
- Strong scripting and automation experience in Python and Bash
- Knowledge of security best practices for embedded systems, including system hardening, authentication, encryption, secure communications, and secure boot concepts
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate across hardware, avionics, systems, application software, and test teams in a fast-paced product environment
- Strong technical writing skills for documenting architectures, systems, procedures, test plans, and troubleshooting steps
Preferred Qualifications
- 12+ years of experience in embedded Linux, platform software, autonomous systems, robotics, aerospace, or defense technology environments
- Experience leading teams in high-tech, aerospace, robotics, or DoD-related environments, including prior work with aircraft, spacecraft, unmanned systems, or mission-critical platforms
- Proven track record delivering embedded Linux platforms from development through fielding in defense or commercial systems
- Experience with embedded build systems such as Yocto Project or Buildroot, including adapting Linux distributions for embedded and production environments
- Deep understanding of bootloader customization, secure boot flows, ARM Trusted Firmware, cryptographic integrity checks, and key management
- Experience with Docker and container-based deployment workflows for embedded systems, including image optimization for resource-constrained devices
- Experience with CI/CD systems such as Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or Azure DevOps for automated build, test, packaging, and deployment workflows
- Working knowledge of ROS 2, DDS, or similar robotics middleware for distributed autonomous systems
- Experience with AI/ML deployment and inference optimization on embedded platforms using technologies such as CUDA, TensorRT, or similar acceleration frameworks
- Experience with multimedia and camera system software, including GStreamer or similar frameworks for streaming, storage, encoding, decoding, and low-latency video transport
- Familiarity with video codecs and streaming protocols such as H.264, H.265, RTSP, RTMP, MPEG-DASH, or HLS
- Experience integrating camera sensors, gimbals, or other vision systems into embedded Linux platforms and distributed vehicle applications
- Experience with communications software for radios, satellite systems, tactical datalinks, SDRs, or distributed networking in contested or bandwidth-constrained environments
- Familiarity with communication protocols and hardware interfaces such as CAN, SPI, I2C, UART, MAVLink, MQTT, WebSockets, or RESTful APIs
- Experience with virtualization or emulation technologies such as KVM or QEMU for platform development and validation
- Familiarity with SITL, HIL, or other simulation and integration test environments
- Knowledge of filesystem optimization techniques for embedded systems such as SquashFS, UBIFS, or similar technologies
- Contributions to open-source projects related to embedded Linux, kernel development, networking, multimedia, or system optimization are a plus
- Advanced degree in Engineering, Engineering Management, MBA, or a related technical discipline is a plus
Work Environment
- This role is based in San Diego, CA.
- We welcome candidates who are local or open to relocating; relocation assistance is available and may be included in the offer package where appropriate.
This position typically operates in a standard office setting and manufacturing environment. This role requires use of standard office equipment and the physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach and move about regularly throughout the day. Must have manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment.
Compensation
U.S. Range: $185,000 - $228,000
The posted salary range reflects an estimate based on a variety of compensation factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, education, certifications, specialized skills, geographic location, and business needs. Actual compensation may vary, and this range is subject to change as our compensation structure or market conditions evolve.
Benefits & Perks
Our culture fosters collaboration, respect, and trust, empowering passionate people to do their best work. We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth. In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:
- We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and visions plans
- 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals
- Equity grants for new hires
- Unlimited PTO
- Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in November, & December.
- Generous Parental Leave
- Lifestyle Spending Account
- FSA
- DCFSA
- HSA
- Hospital Indemnity insurance
- Critical Illness insurance
- Accident insurance
- Basic Life/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance, 100% covered by Firestorm. Plus, the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your family.
- Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available to you as well.
Export Control Compliance
To conform to U.S. government export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Firestorm is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding equitable hiring practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process.
Firestorm is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require accommodations or assistance during the application process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at careers@launchfirestorm.com so we can provide the support you need.
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Req ID: R156