Associate Engineer - Kernel

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 

As an Associate Engineer - Systems on our team, you will contribute to the development and maintenance of embedded Linux systems software under the guidance of senior engineers and your manager. You may be assigned to Kernel Sustaining, Board Support Packages, Feature Development, User Space Sustaining, Tool Chain, or general Systems work based on team needs and your growth interests. 

In your daily job you will: 

Complete assigned tasks including bug fixes, small features, tests, and documentation with direction from your team lead or mentor 

Participate in code reviews, standups, and sprint ceremonies to learn team practices and deliver quality work 

Use version control (Git), follow coding standards, and document your changes 

Build skills in Linux systems development—kernel, user space, BSP, toolchain, or feature implementation—depending on your team assignment 

HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE 

Key skills and competencies for succeeding in this role are: 

• Eagerness to learn: Willingness to grow in one or more of kernel sustaining, BSP, feature development, user space, systems, or tool chain with mentorship and training 

• Foundational technical ability: Ability to read and write C/C++, use Git, follow build and test procedures, and debug with guidance 

• Collaboration: Ability to work in a distributed team across US, Romania, and India, ask questions, and communicate progress and blockers clearly  

In your daily job you will:  

Development & Implementation 

• Complete assigned bug fixes, small enhancements, and tests under direction of senior engineers 

• Write clear, maintainable code following team and Linux community standards where applicable 

• Run and extend existing test suites; report and help reproduce defects 

• Document your changes and update team documentation as needed 

• Use Git for version control and follow team branching and review workflows 

Code Quality & Review 

• Participate in code reviews; incorporate feedback and learn from others’ feedback on your code 

• Follow coding standards and project conventions 

• Ensure your work meets defined quality and acceptance criteria before submission 

• Ask for clarification when requirements or design are unclear 

Team Collaboration 

• Work with team members across US, Romania, and India in standups, planning, and retrospectives 

• Communicate status, blockers, and questions in a timely way 

• Share what you learn and contribute to a positive, inclusive team environment 

• Take advantage of mentorship and onboarding to ramp on your assigned technical area 

Technical Areas

Kernel Sustaining 

• Assist with applying security patches and CVE-related fixes under guidance 

• Help backport patches and run kernel build and test procedures 

• Learn kernel subsystems, drivers, and debugging (e.g., kgdb, ftrace) with mentorship 

• Validate kernel changes on supported platforms and document results 

Required Skills

Education & Experience 

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience) 

• 2 to 3 years of software engineering or relevant internship/ academic project experience 

• Some experience with C or C++ and a willingness to work in both as needed 

• Basic familiarity with Linux or embedded systems concepts 

• Understanding of the software development lifecycle (design, implement, test, review, document) 

Technical Skills 

• Ability to read and write C and/or C++ with guidance 

• Basic use of version control (Git): clone, branch, commit, push, pull requests 

• Ability to follow build and test instructions and run existing automation 

• Basic debugging (e.g., reading logs, using printfs/debugger with direction) 

• Willingness to learn team-specific tools (e.g., kernel tools, Yocto, GDB, build systems) 

Soft Skills 

• Strong desire to learn and grow in embedded Linux and your assigned technical area 

• Good verbal and written communication; comfortable asking questions and sharing status 

• Ability to work in a distributed, multicultural team 

• Attention to detail and commitment to quality 

• Reliable time management and ability to meet agreed deadlines with support 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Internship or academic project experience in embedded systems, Linux kernel, or systems programming 

• Exposure to Yocto Project or similar embedded Linux build systems 

• Basic familiarity with Linux kernel, device drivers, or user space libraries 

• Scripting experience (Python, Shell) for automation or tooling 

• Interest or exposure to one or more of: BSP/hardware enablement, compilers/toolchains, security (e.g., CVEs), or real-time systems 

“Windriver 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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