Zipline Logo

Zipline

Staff Software Engineer – Embedded Linux

Job Posted 25 Days Ago Posted 25 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
South San Francisco, CA
180K-235K
Mid level
South San Francisco, CA
180K-235K
Mid level
As a Staff Software Engineer, you'll design and maintain embedded Linux systems, focusing on flight computers, kernel development, and performance analysis.
The summary above was generated by AI

Staff Software Engineer – Embedded LinuxAbout Zipline

Do you want to change the world? Zipline is on a mission to transform the way goods move. Our aim is to solve the world’s most urgent and complex access challenges by building, manufacturing and operating the first instant delivery and logistics system that serves all humans equally, wherever they are. From powering Rwanda’s national blood delivery network and Ghana’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution, to providing on-demand home delivery for Walmart, to enabling healthcare providers to bring care directly to U.S. homes, we are transforming the way things move for businesses, governments and consumers. The technology is complex but the idea is simple: a teleportation service that delivers what you need, when you need it. Through our technology that includes robotics and autonomy, we are decarbonizing delivery, decreasing road congestion, and reducing fossil fuel consumption and air pollution, while providing equitable access to billions of people and building a more resilient global supply chain.

Join Zipline and help us to make good on our promise to build an equitable and more resilient global supply chain for billions of people.

About the Role

As a Linux Software Engineer at Zipline, you’ll build and maintain our Yocto-based Linux kernel BSP powering our flight computers, enabling our highly autonomous aircraft to safely fly over millions of homes day-in and day-out. You will work closely with other Linux experts on this team. You will also work closely with software engineers who build user-space applications and drivers. This job also spans the entire development lifecycle, working with the Release team, owning validation, and analyzing performance from real-world flight tests.

Our technical stack is built on embedded Linux, running on three desktop-grade computers with a distributed network of sensors, redundant communication links, and actuators. We are looking for detail-oriented engineers with deep expertise in embedded Linux and distributed systems, including kernel development, userspace tooling, real-time performance tuning, system reliability and core operating systems activities. 

What You’ll Do

  • Design and build the software architecture necessary to run everything from critical flight software to interconnected ground-based hardware on embedded Linux systems
  • Contribute to the development and maintenance of our custom Linux distribution on Yocto, ensuring a reliable and performant foundation for our flight and ground-based systems
  • Analyze the runtime characteristics of our Linux-based avionics software in flight to build confidence in its performance, with a focus on system reliability, maintainability, and optimization
  • Develop and optimize kernel and userspace drivers for production and prototype sensors, and refine sensor data APIs for perception, navigation, and other autonomy software engineers
  • Develop metrics, monitoring, and troubleshooting capabilities to prepare the system for field deployment at scale
  • Design and build data collection and testing tools to support early-stage evaluation of new sensors, communications systems, and edge compute platforms

What You’ll Bring

  • Strong software engineering skills, with proficiency in at least one strongly typed language; we use Rust and C++ onboard, and Python for tooling
  • Deep expertise in embedded Linux development, including experience with kernel modifications, userspace programming, and performance tuning
  • Experience working with Yocto or other build systems for custom Linux distributions
  • Strong software architecture skills, with experience designing and shipping solutions for complex real-world use cases
  • A systems-oriented mindset, with a focus on reliability, fault tolerance, and performance optimization
  • Technical leadership skills and experience owning large technical systems that other engineers contribute to
  • Detail-oriented mindset to think through validating a system’s safety
What Else You Need to Know   

The starting cash range for this role is $180,000 - $235,000. Please note that this is a target, starting cash range for a candidate who meets the minimum qualifications for this role. The final cash pay for this role will depend on a variety of factors, including a specific candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, working location, and projected impact. The total compensation package for this role may also include: equity compensation; discretionary annual or performance bonuses; sales incentives; benefits such as medical, dental and vision insurance; paid time off; and more. 

 

Zipline is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, or other characteristics protected by state, federal or local law or our other policies.

 

We value diversity at Zipline and welcome applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech. If you like the sound of this position but are not sure if you are the perfect fit, please apply!

Top Skills

C++
Embedded Linux
Python
Rust
Yocto
HQ

Zipline South San Francisco, California, USA Office

South San Francisco, CA, United States

Similar Jobs

An Hour Ago
Costa Mesa, CA, USA
168K-252K Annually
Senior level
168K-252K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Hardware • Robotics • Security • Software • Defense
Develop real-time video feeds from remote drones, design ISR payloads, and integrate camera systems while ensuring robust video technology performance.
Top Skills: C++Embedded LinuxFfmpegGstreamerNixosNvidia JetsonOpencvOpenglPythonRustV4L2Va-ApiVl42Webrtc
An Hour Ago
Costa Mesa, CA, USA
142K-213K Annually
Junior
142K-213K Annually
Junior
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Hardware • Robotics • Security • Software • Defense
As an Electromechanical Engineer, you'll integrate power and control systems, design hardware, collaborate with product teams, and support military exercises.
Top Skills: CadLattice OsNx/Teamcenter
2 Hours Ago
Costa Mesa, CA, USA
154K-231K Annually
Senior level
154K-231K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Hardware • Robotics • Security • Software • Defense
The Senior Systems Engineer will lead the design and implementation of networking solutions for command and control of unmanned systems, utilizing advanced networking and cybersecurity expertise while collaborating across teams.
Top Skills: AfsimAWSAzureC/C++CameoJamaMatlabPythonRustSimulink

What you need to know about the San Francisco Tech Scene

San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area attracts more startup funding than any other region in the world. Home to Stanford University and UC Berkeley, leading VC firms and several of the world’s most valuable companies, the Bay Area is the place to go for anyone looking to make it big in the tech industry. That said, San Francisco has a lot to offer beyond technology thanks to a thriving art and music scene, excellent food and a short drive to several of the country’s most beautiful recreational areas.

Key Facts About San Francisco Tech

  • Number of Tech Workers: 365,500; 13.9% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
  • Major Tech Employers: Google, Apple, Salesforce, Meta
  • Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, fintech, consumer technology, software
  • Funding Landscape: $50.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
  • Notable Investors: Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Bessemer Venture Partners, Greylock Partners, Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins
  • Research Centers and Universities: Stanford University; University of California, Berkeley; University of San Francisco; Santa Clara University; Ames Research Center; Center for AI Safety; California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
By clicking Apply you agree to share your profile information with the hiring company.

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account