Company Overview:
Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup founded by two former Navy electrical engineers with a proven track record in robotics and software. We are developing a small, autonomous gun turret that employs advanced computer vision and control systems to precisely target and neutralize small drones and loitering munitions. Our innovative approach requires overcoming significant technical challenges, making this an exciting and dynamic environment for experienced engineers.
With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our founders' successful exits from two previous ventures acquired for a combined $180M in 2022, we are committed to ensuring that the groundbreaking technologies we develop have a real-world impact.
Position Overview:
We are seeking a highly skilled Embedded Software Engineer specializing in Jetson hardware platforms and driver development. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience configuring embedded Linux PCs such as NVIDIA Jetson, writing Linux drivers, and integrating custom hardware. You will play a critical role in enabling high-performance computer vision and control applications by ensuring reliable low-level software support for our autonomous systems.
We’re hiring across multiple experience levels, including:
Associate Embedded Software Engineer
Embedded Software Engineer
Senior Embedded Software Engineer
Staff Embedded Software Engineer
Senior Staff Embedded Software Engineer
Your title and level will be determined based on your experience, skills, and the scope of responsibility appropriate for the role.
What You'll Do:
Develop and maintain Linux kernel drivers for Jetson-based platforms, supporting Ethernet NICs, USB devices, and MIPI cameras.
Write and optimize drivers for custom PCIe devices, FPGAs, and other high-performance peripherals.
Configure, customize, and optimize embedded Linux distributions for NVIDIA Jetson platforms to meet performance and reliability requirements.
Collaborate with hardware and computer vision teams to ensure seamless integration of sensors, accelerators, and custom hardware with embedded software.
Debug low-level system issues, analyze performance bottlenecks, and implement fixes for real-time applications.
Produce thorough documentation of driver implementations, hardware interfaces, and configuration processes.
What You'll Need:
Experience: 3+ years of experience in embedded Linux software development, including driver programming and low-level system configuration.
Educational Background: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
Embedded Linux: Strong experience building, configuring, and customizing Linux kernels and drivers for embedded platforms.
Driver Development: Proven experience writing Linux drivers for Ethernet NICs, USB devices, and MIPI camera interfaces.
Hardware Interfaces: Familiarity with PCIe and FPGA-based systems.
Languages: Proficiency in C/C++ for kernel and driver development; Python or Bash for scripting and automation.
Debugging & Testing: Skilled with low-level debugging tools, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and performance profiling techniques.
You'll Stand Out:
NVIDIA Jetson Experience: Direct experience developing software and drivers on NVIDIA Jetson platforms.
Robotics & Autonomy: Exposure to robotic or autonomous systems requiring real-time responsiveness.
High-Performance Systems: Experience optimizing code for low-latency, high-throughput embedded applications.
Networking & Protocols: Knowledge of networking protocols (TCP/IP, UDP) and peripheral communication standards (I2C, SPI, CAN, UART).
Open Source Contributions: Demonstrated involvement in kernel or driver-related open-source projects.
What We Offer:
Competitive salary
ACS Equity Package
Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
Paid Time Off
Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
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Skills Required
- 3+ years embedded Linux software development experience, including driver programming and low-level system configuration
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field
- Experience building, configuring, and customizing Linux kernels and embedded Linux distributions
- Proven experience writing Linux drivers for Ethernet NICs, USB devices, and MIPI camera interfaces
- Familiarity with PCIe and FPGA-based systems and driver integration
- Proficiency in C/C++ for kernel and driver development
- Scripting proficiency in Python or Bash for automation
- Skilled with low-level debugging tools, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and performance profiling
Allen Control Systems Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Health, dental, and vision coverage are consistently listed as employer‑provided across current role descriptions, indicating a solid core healthcare offering. This aligns with the startup‑standard package the company advertises.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off is explicitly advertised alongside core health benefits in multiple postings. While accrual details aren’t shown publicly, its consistent inclusion signals baseline time‑off coverage.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — An “ACS Equity Package” is repeatedly called out in job descriptions, suggesting equity grants are a standard component of total compensation. Visibility of equity across roles points to broad access to ownership upside, with specifics to be confirmed.
Allen Control Systems Insights
What We Do
Allen Control Systems is a defense technology company for a new era of drone warfare and to completely change battlefield economics. ACS is developing counter-drone robotic gun systems targeted at neutralizing attacking drone swarms, drones that are pre-programmed with AI, and drones that are non-jammable. ACS was created to lower the cost per kill of a drone to a few dollars. We do this by combining cutting-edge hardware and software that allows us to point an inexpensive gun that already exists in the field more accurately than anyone ever has before. ACS is a remote organization, with our HQ in Austin, Texas, and an office in Alexandria, Va. If you're passionate about our mission, we’d love to hear from you.
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