Senior Embedded Software Engineer - Embedded Linux

As a Senior Embedded Software Engineer at Zoox, you will play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of embedded Linux platforms. Your responsibilities include architecting and optimizing software for Linux-embedded systems, leveraging open-source projects, and contributing to the entire software development lifecycle. Additionally, you will develop new features for custom-embedded Linux boards and create tailored Linux distributions based on manufacturer’s Board Support Packages.

To qualify for the Senior Embedded Software Engineer role at Zoox, you need at least 8 years of experience in software development on Linux, alongside a Bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field. Alternatively, a Master's degree with 7 years of experience will also suffice. Proficiency in C programming, as well as experience with Shell and Python scripting, are mandatory. Bonus qualifications include familiarity with Linux kernel development and embedded build frameworks like Yocto.

A Senior Embedded Software Engineer at Zoox must have expert-level programming skills in C, as well as solid experience with Shell and Python scripting. These skills are essential for developing and debugging complex applications within Linux-embedded environments, enabling you to create robust and efficient software solutions.

At Zoox, as a Senior Embedded Software Engineer, you will work on exciting projects that encompass developing and extending embedded Linux platforms tailored for our autonomous vehicles. You will engage with multiple advanced platforms and contribute to application development across a variety of innovative projects, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in vehicular technology.

Zoox offers a comprehensive benefits package for Senior Embedded Software Engineers, which includes competitive salaries, Amazon Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), stock appreciation rights, health insurance coverage, long-term and short-term disability insurance, as well as life insurance. Additionally, you will enjoy paid time off, including vacation and sick leave, creating a supportive work-life balance.

When responding to this question, share specific projects or roles where you worked with embedded Linux. Highlight your experience in developing and optimizing Linux systems, including any challenges you faced and how you overcame them to illustrate your problem-solving skills.

Explain your debugging process, emphasizing your methodological approach, such as using tools like gdb or strace. Provide an example of a complex problem you faced, the steps you took to identify the issue, and the final outcome to demonstrate your technical acumen.

Discuss particular open-source projects you have contributed to, detailing your role in those projects and the skills you applied. Emphasize the importance of collaboration and community engagement in your growth as a software engineer.

Indicate your familiarity with modifying and maintaining the Linux kernel, if applicable. Discuss any specific contributions or projects and how they relate to controlling hardware from the kernel, showcasing your technical depth.

Reflect on a project where you built custom Linux distributions, discussing the objectives, your responsibilities, and the technologies you used, such as specific Board Support Packages. This shows your capability to tailor Linux systems to meet particular needs.

Yocto is a powerful tool for creating custom Linux distributions for embedded systems. Explain how you have used Yocto to streamline the build process and to integrate necessary packages, highlighting the advantages it offers in terms of flexibility and management of dependencies.

Discuss techniques such as code profiling, efficient memory usage, and reducing latency. Provide a concrete example where you optimized an application, which could involve refactoring code or making architectural changes to improve performance.

Mention projects where you utilized Shell or Python scripting, detailing how these languages helped automate processes, enhance functionality, or improve system administration. Highlight your fluency in these languages and their relevance to your work.

Explain your approach to requirements gathering, such as collaborating with stakeholders, conducting interviews, and considering end-user needs. Emphasize the importance of clear communication and thorough documentation in this process.

Share your methods for keeping up with technological advancements, such as attending conferences, participating in forums, and engaging with the developer community. Demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning is essential in this rapidly evolving field.