About MBRYONICS
MBRYONICS is at the forefront of free space optical communications. Our product portfolio covers a wide range of emerging technologies from photonic integrated circuits to advanced optical systems and embedded software solutions. Our optical communications systems are integrated and deployed in satellite communications systems. The work is exciting and challenging and is at the forefront of the technology domains. As part of our expansion, we are currently looking for a suitably motivated - Senior Linux Kernel Engineer - to join our group.
As a Senior Linux Kernel Engineer at MBRYONICS, you'll be a vital player on our engineering team, architecting, developing, and optimizing the low-level software platform that powers our cutting-edge optical communication systems. This is an excellent opportunity to own the OS layer, dive into high-performance kernel-space development, and lead hardware-software integration in a fast-paced, high-tech setting.
What you'll do- Kernel & Driver Development: Design, implement, and debug custom Linux kernel drivers and subsystems used in our Free Space Optical Communication hardware.
- BSP Architecture: Architect, build, and maintain custom Board Support Packages (BSPs) using tools like Yocto Project or Buildroot.
- Performance Optimization: Optimize the Linux kernel and user-space interfaces for real-time responsiveness, low latency, high throughput, and deterministic behavior.
- Hardware Bring-up: Lead the initial bring-up of new custom hardware platforms, collaborating closely with electronics engineers to validate silicon and board designs.
- Lifecycle Leadership: Own the low-level software lifecycle—from architectural requirements and design to upstreaming patches, deployment, and long-term maintenance.
- Quality & CI/CD: Mentor the team on modern kernel testing methodologies, expanding our CI/CD pipelines to handle hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and automated kernel builds.
- Technical Governance: Conduct rigorous code reviews, establish low-level coding standards, and maintain thorough documentation for software design and system architecture.
- Continuous Innovation: Keep up-to-date with upstream Linux kernel developments, security patches, and emerging real-time Linux technologies (e.g., PREEMPT_RT).
- Education: A Master's degree or PHD in Computer Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
- Kernel Expertise: Extensive, proven industry experience in Linux kernel development, writing custom character/block device drivers, and navigating the Linux kernel source tree.
- Embedded Linux Mastery: Deep understanding of the embedded Linux boot sequence (U-Boot/barebox), device trees, memory management, concurrency, and interrupt handling.
- Tooling Proficiency: Expert knowledge of build systems like Yocto Project, Buildroot, or OpenEmbedded, alongside deep familiarity with Git.
- Low-Level Protocols: Proven experience writing and debugging software for hardware interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, PCIe, CAN bus, and DMA engines.
- Networking Stack: Strong understanding of Linux network architecture, sockets, and high-speed interfaces (Ethernet, TCP/IP, UDP).
- Debugging Skills: Exceptional problem-solving skills using advanced debugging tools (GDB, JTAG/ICE probes, oscillo-scopes, logic analyzers) and kernel tracing utilities (ftrace, perf, printk).
- Soft Skills & Passion: Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines. A genuine passion for low-level software engineering and space technology.
- Career Growth: Contribute to a world-class space-age communication program while developing your technical leadership skills in a state-of-the-art manufacturing environment.
- Collaboration: Work with talented professionals across disciplines to drive impactful solutions.
- Innovation: Be part of a team pioneering advancements in manufacturing engineering for cutting-edge FSO systems.
- Work-Life Balance: Enjoy flexible work schedules and a comprehensive benefits package.
If you're ready to take your career to new heights and drive the future of space-age communication, apply now and join the MBRYONICS team as our Senior Linux Kernel Engineer.
Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities
Core ethical values, diversity and inclusion are invaluable to MBRYONICS’ business success. We recognise that the broad perspectives that result from recruiting, developing and retaining a globally diverse workforce promotes innovation and helps us succeed as a business enterprise. It is the policy and practice of the Company to provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants. The Company will not tolerate discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, civil status, family status, disability, age, or membership of the Traveller community.
Please advise us of any reasonable adjustments which MBRYONICS can make to the interview process on the interest of ensuring a fair, accessible, and equitable recruitment process where you can perform at your best.
Skills Required
- Master's degree or PhD in Computer Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
- Extensive Linux kernel development experience, including writing custom character and block device drivers
- Deep understanding of embedded Linux boot (U-Boot/barebox), device trees, memory management, concurrency, and interrupt handling
- Proficiency with Yocto Project, Buildroot or OpenEmbedded and Git
- Experience with hardware interfaces: SPI, I2C, UART, PCIe, CAN bus, and DMA engines
- Strong knowledge of Linux networking stack (Ethernet, TCP/IP, UDP)
- Advanced debugging skills with GDB, JTAG/ICE probes, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers and kernel tracing (ftrace, perf, printk)
- Proven experience leading hardware bring-up and collaborating with electronics engineers
- Experience expanding CI/CD pipelines, kernel testing methodologies, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing
- Strong communication, leadership, and mentoring skills
- Familiarity with real-time Linux technologies (e.g., PREEMPT_RT)
What We Do
MBRYONICS designs, engineers, and manufactures optical payloads (optical communications and photonics) and optical ground stations for next generation extremely high throughput hybrid Optical/RF satellite systems, optical mesh networks, optical relays, and autonomous optical sensor networks for high precision space domain awareness. We specialise in both the design and MAIT of optical and photonics systems for industrialised series production. MBRYONICS is pioneering the use of and industrialisation of FreeForm optics and photonic integrated circuits for space systems, including inter-satellite communications, optical feeder links, intra-satellite communications (analogue/digital) and microwave photonics applications. We have nearly two decades of experience in research and development on some of the most challenging photonics and optics projects, finding cost effective solutions to new technical challenges. We regularly collaborate and consult with teams that need photonics and optics engineering, design and manufacturing AIT expertise, from early stage path finding to industrial production. Collaborating closely to identify the key problems and opportunities while bringing our years of experience to the table from a multidisciplinary team.
