We are developing a next-generation, smart kitchen appliance featuring on-edge AI food recognition, a rich touchscreen user interface, and Wi-Fi cloud and Bluetooth connectivity. We are seeking a Senior Embedded Linux / BSP Engineer to own the foundational operating system development.
In this role, you will build, secure, and maintain a highly optimized, production-ready Linux distribution using the Yocto Project or other build environments. You will act as the critical bridge between our custom hardware and our application software layers, ensuring safety, reliability, and seamless hardware-software integration.
Core Responsibilities
- BSP & Custom Distribution Development: Design, configure, and maintain a custom, lightweight Embedded Linux distribution utilizing the Yocto Project.
- Kernel & Bootloader Customization: Optimize and patch U-Boot and the Linux Kernel. Write and maintain Device Trees (.dts/.dtsi) to configure pin multiplexing (pinmux) for display, camera, and peripheral interfaces.
- Peripheral Driver Integration: Configure and validate Linux drivers for critical hardware subsystems, specifically MIPI-CSI camera sensors, touchscreens, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth modules, and high-speed storage.
- Processor Inter-Communication: Implement and harden a reliable, secure communication protocol (UART/SPI) between the Linux host and a secondary safety microcontroller.
- System Hardening & Security: Implement Secure Boot, encrypted storage, firewalls, and user privilege separation to satisfy consumer appliance security standards.
- OTA Infrastructure: Architect and integrate a robust, fail-safe Over-the-Air (OTA) update system capable of dual-partition system recovery.
- Production Flashing: Collaborate with hardware and factory teams to create minimal, stable manufacturing images for high-volume automated flashing.
Required Technical Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in Embedded Linux development with a track record of shipping commercial, mass-production IoT or consumer electronics devices.
- Expert-level proficiency with the Yocto Project (writing custom layers, BitBake recipes, .conf files, and managing dependencies).
- Strong capability to read hardware schematics and collaborate closely with electrical engineers to bring up new hardware revisions.
- Deep knowledge of Linux kernel driver architecture and low-level communication buses (I2C, SPI, UART, PWM, MIPI-CSI).
- Proficiency in C, C++, Python, and Shell scripting.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience integrating machine learning deployment frameworks (TensorFlow Lite, ONNX Runtime).
- Familiarity with appliance safety certifications (e.g., UL 197 / UL 60730) and regulatory compliance (FCC/CE).
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering or equivalent
- 10+ years of experience in electronic product development with 32-bit ARM microcontrollers
- 10+ years of experience with C/C++
- Experience in wired and wireless communication
- Experience with version control systems such as Git
- Ability to troubleshoot hardware using tools such as scope and logic analyzer
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
What We Do
About Chefman & CHEF iQ Chefman is one of North America’s leading brands of small kitchen appliances. Our mission is to provide the world with innovative products that make everyday cooking a better experience. Our vision is to have every kitchen cooking with Chefman products. In 2020, we launched the CHEF iQ brand, an ecosystem of digitally connected kitchen appliances designed to streamline food preparation through guided cooking experiences. With this brand, we are seeking to redefine cooking as we know it, making great food effortless in an immersive digital experience
