Senior Engineer - Linux Kernel

Senior Engineer – Linux Kernel Location: Ottawa, Canada, Office based work - 3 days required

About Wind River Wind River is a global leader in delivering software for mission‑critical intelligent systems. For more than four decades, the company has been an innovator and pioneer, powering billions of systems that require the highest levels of security, safety, and reliability.

Wind River helps customers across automotive, aerospace, defense, industrial, medical, and telecommunications industries solve complex technology challenges on their journey toward the new intelligent machine economy. The company’s software powers generation after generation of the safest, most secure systems in the world. Examples include playing a key role in NASA space missions such as Artemis I, the James Webb Space Telescope, and multiple Mars rovers. We’ve achieved recent 5G milestones including the world’s first successful 5G data session with Verizon and building one of the largest Open RAN networks in the world with Vodafone.

The company has received industry recognition for its technology innovation and leadership, and for its workplace culture, including global Great Place to Work certification and being named a “Top Workplace” for ten consecutive years. If you want to be part of a unique culture where the lived experience is based on our cultural attributes of growth mindset, customer‑focus, and diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging, come join us and help advance the future software‑defined world.

YOUR ROLE The Senior Engineer – Systems (Kernel Sustaining) provides technical expertise and leadership for maintaining Linux kernel components, drivers, and subsystems. Senior Engineers work independently on complex kernel issues, address CVE vulnerabilities, and mentor junior engineers in kernel development.

In your daily job you will: Development & Implementation

Maintain Linux kernel components, drivers, and subsystems

Address CVE vulnerabilities and security issues

Backport and integrate upstream kernel patches

Ensure kernel stability, performance, and compatibility

Write high‑quality, maintainable kernel code following Linux standards

Debug and resolve complex kernel issues

Technical Leadership

Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers

Participate in code reviews and technical discussions

Contribute to architecture and design decisions

Drive technical improvements and best practices

Lead technical initiatives and small projects

Team Collaboration

Collaborate effectively with team members and cross‑functional partners

Work with distributed teams across US, Romania, and India

Share knowledge through documentation and technical discussions

Participate in sprint planning, estimation, and retrospectives

Contribute to team process improvements

Kernel Sustaining Specific

Address CVE vulnerabilities and security issues

Backport upstream kernel patches to supported versions

Maintain kernel drivers and subsystem components

Ensure kernel stability, performance, and compatibility

Test kernel changes on multiple hardware platforms

Work with upstream kernel community when needed

Guide technical direction for kernel components

Design solutions for complex kernel problems

How You Will Contribute Key skills and competencies for succeeding in this role are: Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field

5+ years of software engineering experience

3+ years of experience with embedded Linux or systems programming

Experience with C programming in production systems

Strong background in software development lifecycle

Technical Skills

Strong proficiency in C programming

Solid understanding of Linux kernel architecture

Experience with embedded systems development

Knowledge of build systems (Yocto, Buildroot, or similar)

Strong debugging and problem‑solving skills

Experience with version control (Git) and code review

Understanding of software development methodologies (Agile, Scrum)

Domain Knowledge

Linux kernel development or maintenance

Device drivers and hardware interfaces

Kernel subsystems (memory management, process scheduling, etc.)

Kernel security and CVE management

Kernel debugging and troubleshooting

Performance optimization

Soft Skills

Strong communication and collaboration skills

Ability to mentor and guide junior engineers

Technical writing and documentation skills

Problem‑solving and analytical thinking

Self‑directed and proactive

Attention to detail and quality

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with Yocto Project

Experience with kernel debugging and profiling tools

Understanding of kernel security mechanisms

Open source kernel contributions

Experience in automotive, aerospace, or industrial sectors

Knowledge of real‑time kernel features

Key Performance Indicators

CVE resolution time and quality

Code quality and technical contributions

Project delivery and patch completion

Code review participation and quality

Mentoring and knowledge sharing

Technical problem resolution

Team collaboration and communication

Benefits

Workplace Flexibility: Hybrid Work

Company‑sponsored health, dental, and life insurance

Income protection through short and long‑term disability coverage

Matching RRSP

Vacation and various time off policies to encourage work‑life balance

Well‑being programs: employee assistance program, mental well‑being through Unmind

Learning benefits: LinkedIn Learning subscription and seminars

Security Clearance Requirements Successful candidates must engage in a security clearance process in regard to their citizenship in order to perform fundamental job duties, as per applicable law. In particular, candidates with certain citizenship may not be able to perform such fundamental job duties. Currently, this includes citizens of the following countries: Belarus; Burma; China; Cuba; Iran; North Korea; Syria; Venezuela; Afghanistan; Cambodia; Central African Republic; Cyprus; Democratic Republic of Congo; Ethiopia; Eritrea; Haiti; Iraq; Lebanon; Libya; Russia; Somalia; South Sudan; Sudan; Zimbabwe. The security clearance process may take a significant amount of time to complete, and any offer of employment will be contingent on the candidate's legal ability to perform the fundamental job duties. Wind River is committed to meeting its obligations to candidates under applicable human rights law and privacy law in this regard.

Privacy Notice – Active Candidates:

https://www.aptiv.com/privacy-notice-active-candidates

Aptiv is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

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