5-7 years of experience in Linux-based systems on hardware devices
Proficient in C/C++ with embedded Linux internals knowledge
Strong debugging capabilities using tools like gdb and perf/eBPF
Familiar with kernel device interfaces such as I2S and I2C
Experienced in building OS images and managing updates
Comfortable collaborating with cross-functional teams
Bonus points for upstream contributions to Linux or exposure to platform security
Responsibilities
Design, implement, and debug kernel modules and device drivers
Configure and maintain OS components, including networking and security
Build and operate image/OTA pipelines for software updates
Analyze performance and optimize resource usage using various profiling tools
Ensure system reliability through observability practices
Collaborate with hardware and application teams to define interfaces
Establish engineering best practices like CI and release management
Benefits
Flexible work hours
Remote work options
Opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI technology
Access to continuous learning and development resources
Supportive and inclusive company culture
Full Job Description
Location: San Francisco, CA (Hybrid: 4 days onsite/week). Relocation assistance available.
About the Role:
We're seeking a System Software Engineer to design, implement, and debug core platform components and the pipelines that build and update system images. You'll work across operating system layers, focusing on performance, security, and deep system debugging to ship production-grade systems.
In this role, you will:
Design, implement, and debug system-level components and services across kernel and user space.
Configure and maintain OS platform services (init, services, networking, security policies) and related tooling.
Build and operate image and update pipelines, ensuring reliability, reproducibility, and rollback safety.
Instrument and analyze performance using profiling and tracing; optimize CPU, memory, I/O, and power usage.
Own platform observability and reliability: logging, crash capture, watchdogs, and diagnostics.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define interfaces and deliver end-to-end features.
Partner with external suppliers to support builds and deployments.
You might thrive in this role if you:
Have shipped production systems software on modern operating systems.
Are proficient in C/C++ and a scripting language, and comfortable with OS internals (concurrency, memory management, filesystems, networking, power management).
Bring strong systems debugging skills using debuggers, tracers, profilers, and logs across kernel/user-space boundaries.
Understand configuration of platform services and interfaces, and can translate requirements into stable, well-documented APIs.
Are fluent in user-space foundations (service management, IPC, networking, packaging, automation).
Have experience building platform images and designing update mechanisms for reliability and security.
Experience with graphics/media, hardware acceleration, or high-throughput data paths.
Familiarity with connectivity stacks and network configuration.
Observability and diagnostics in distributed or resource-constrained environments.
Work on open-source platforms or contributions to systems projects.
About OpenAI
OpenAI is an artificial intelligence research laboratory consisting of the for-profit corporation OpenAI LP and its parent company, the non-profit OpenAI Inc. The company was founded in 2015 by a group of technology leaders, including Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, Ilya Sutskever, and John Schulman. OpenAI's mission is to develop and promote friendly AI for the betterment of humanity. The company has developed a number of cutting-edge AI technologies, including GPT-3, a language processing system that can generate human-like text. OpenAI has received funding from a number of high-profile investors, including LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and venture capitalist Peter Thiel.
