Staff Engineer - Linux Kernel and Device Driver

Job description

Company Description Axiado is building the future of AI powered digital infrastructure. We are a fast-growing, well funded silicon, systems, and solutions company pioneering a new category of semiconductor called the Trusted Control/Compute Unit (TCU) that combines advanced hardware security, AI driven resilience and efficiency, and real-time platform management. Our technology protects the world’s most critical infrastructure—from data centers to next generation cloud and AI platforms—by securing systems at the foundation levels of hardware, independent of host CPUs and operating systems. Founded in 2019 and now over 150 employees are strong, Axiado has evolved into a recognized leader in the convergence of AI, security, and silicon innovation. We partner with and are actively engaged in commercial programs with multiple Tier 1 industry leaders, validating both our technology and our long-term market trajectory. Axiado has also won numerous industry awards for our ground-breaking products and technological innovations, including being named one of Fast Company’s 2025 Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Security, winning the 2025 Global InfoSec Award for Outstanding AI Security Solution, and being named a finalist for the Global Semiconductor Alliance’s 2025 “Start-Up to Watch” award. At Axiado, developing breakthrough technology takes more than great engineering—it takes a team of exceptional people who collaborate boldly, challenge assumptions, and take pride in building what comes next. We value curiosity, execution, respect, and a shared desire to make a meaningful impact on the security and reliability of the digital world. If you’re driven to innovate, energized by hard problems, and excited to help define the future of secure AI infrastructure, we invite you to apply and join us on this journey. Job Description We are seeking a highly skilled Staff Engineer - Linux Kernel and Device Driver to provide technical leadership for the architecture, development, and optimization of our low-level software stack. This role requires strong expertise in debugging complex system-level issues and performing root-cause analysis across hardware and software layers. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to build robust and scalable solutions for next-generation embedded systems. Key responsibilities Design, development, and maintenance of Linux kernel modules and subsystems, with a strong focus on device drivers for a variety of hardware interfaces (e.g., Ethernet, PCIe, USB, I2C, SPI, SGPIO, eSPI, Display). Own the kernel-level aspects of system integration and board bring-up. Collaborate with hardware and other software teams to define interfaces, debug bring-up issues, and validate functionality. Employ expert-level debugging skills to diagnose and resolve complex kernel-level issues, including kernel panics, race conditions, and tricky hardware-software interactions. Partner with hardware and system-level software teams to define requirements, co-design interfaces, and ensure seamless hardware-software integration. Participate in the broader Linux kernel community, contributing patches, and staying current with evolving kernel development. Use advanced tools (e.g., ftrace, perf, kdump) to profile the kernel and drivers, and implement improvements for stability and performance.  Qualifications Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer engineering, Electronics Engineering, or related field. 10+ years of experience in Linux kernel development, with a specialization in device drivers. Deep knowledge of Linux kernel internals, including memory management, process scheduling, and concurrency. Proficiency in C/C++ and assembly programming for embedded systems. Strong experience with Linux kernel, device drivers, and system-level software. Proficiency in debugging tools such as GDB, JTAG, Lauterbach, serial consoles, and oscilloscopes. Ability to perform root cause analysis for hardware/software interaction issues. Hands-on experience with embedded Linux systems, Drivers, Board Support Packages (BSPs), and bootloaders (e.g., U-Boot). Familiarity with one or more of the hardware communication protocols like I2C, SPI, UART, PCIe, USB, SGPIO, eMMC, eSPI, Display, and Ethernet. Experience with Yocto Project, Buildroot, and cross-compilation toolchains. Experience with Software open-source methodologies for Linux Kernel and related projects is a plus. Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with diverse technical teams. Additional Information Axiado is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining the highest caliber talent in a diverse and multifaceted environment. We are headquartered in the heart of Silicon Valley, with access to the world's leading research, technology and talent. We are building an exceptional team to secure every node on the internet. For us, solving real-world problems takes precedence over purely theoretical problems. As a result, we prefer individuals with persistence, intelligence and high curiosity over pedigree alone. Working hard and smart, continuous learning and mutual support are all part of who we are. Axiado is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Axiado does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.