Junior Operating Systems Engineer (Embedded Linux / Yocto)

Job Description

• Junior Operating Systems Engineer (Embedded Linux / Yocto)
• Full time
• San Diego, CA – On-Site

*This position requires an active U.S. national security clearance. To learn more about the security clearance process please access this link.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Build and maintain custom Linux images using the Yocto Project (recipes, layers, BitBake, kernel configuration)
• Support an immutable, A/B-updatable OS image architecture, including secure boot and update tooling
• Package, integrate, and troubleshoot system services, drivers, and third-party software on embedded x86 hardwar
• Contribute to OS hardening efforts (FIPS mode, secure boot, compliance-driven configuration)
• Debug boot, kernel, driver, and userspace issues on real appliance hardware
• Use generative AI tools daily to accelerate development: writing and reviewing recipes, generating test scaffolding, drafting documentation, and debugging build failures
• Write clear documentation for build processes, image releases, and provisioning workflows

Required Qualifications

• Currently holds an active U.S. national security clearance or be able to receive and maintain one. To learn more about the security clearance process please access this link.
• Build and maintain custom Linux images using the Yocto Project (recipes, layers, BitBake, kernel configuration)
• Support an immutable, A/B-updatable OS image architecture, including secure boot and update tooling
• Package, integrate, and troubleshoot system services, drivers, and third-party software on embedded x86 hardwar
• Contribute to OS hardening efforts (FIPS mode, secure boot, compliance-driven configuration)
• Debug boot, kernel, driver, and userspace issues on real appliance hardware
• Use generative AI tools daily to accelerate development: writing and reviewing recipes, generating test scaffolding, drafting documentation, and debugging build failures
• Write clear documentation for build processes, image releases, and provisioning workflows

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with the Yocto Project, Buildroot, or another embedded Linux build system
• Exposure to Rocky Linux / RHEL-family distributions
• Familiarity with secure boot, TPM, disk encryption, or FIPS 140-3 concepts
• Experience with network security tooling (Suricata, Zeek, packet capture)
• Exposure to compliance frameworks (CMMC, NIST 800-171)
• Basic C or Rust reading ability for kernel/driver troubleshooting
• Homelab, open-source contributions, or relevant personal projects