Embedded Linux Senior Software Engineer - Optimisation

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Embedded Linux Senior Software Engineer - Optimisation based in South Africa.

This is a senior engineering opportunity focused on optimizing Linux across the full software stack for next-generation hardware <platforms.You> will work across kernel, system software, middleware, applications, and graphical environments to deliver high-performance experiences on emerging silicon.The role combines deep technical problem-solving with close collaboration with hardware partners and specialists across IoT, server, desktop, and edge <technologies.You> will contribute to complex platform architectures, helping customers integrate applications, SDKs, operating system images, and optimized workloads.Your work will span a diverse range of use cases, from robotics and connected devices to telecommunications, retail, and large-scale data centers.The position offers significant exposure to modern open-source technologies and challenging engineering problems across the Linux ecosystem.This role is ideal for a self-motivated engineer who combines strong C/C++ and Linux expertise with excellent communication skills and a passion for building optimized systems.

Accountabilities

• Design and implement optimized Linux integrations for the latest IoT, embedded, desktop, and server-class hardware platforms.
• Collaborate with hardware and technology partners to deliver high-performance, reliable, and polished Linux experiences on their platforms.
• Take a holistic approach to platform optimization, contributing to technical plans, testing strategies, quality metrics, and overall system performance.
• Serve as a technical lead on complex customer engagements involving complete architectures spanning cloud, edge, hardware, operating systems, and applications.
• Support customers with application integration, SDK adoption, device OS image creation, and application optimization across Linux-based platforms.
• Work across the full Linux software stack, from low-level system components through middleware, applications, and graphical environments.
• Investigate and resolve complex performance, integration, compatibility, and platform issues across diverse hardware and software configurations.
• Collaborate with distributed engineering teams and external partners to integrate next-generation platform features and performance enhancements.
• Contribute to open-source projects and help maintain high-quality engineering and packaging practices.
• Apply technical judgment and creative problem-solving to deliver solutions across a wide variety of embedded, IoT, and enterprise use cases.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, STEM, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• Strong professional experience developing software for Linux-based environments, ideally across embedded, IoT, desktop, or server platforms.
• Hands-on experience with Linux packaging technologies such as Debian, RPM, or Yocto.
• Strong programming experience in C and C++.
• Experience working with open-source communities, development practices, and software licensing.
• Strong understanding of Linux systems and the ability to work across different layers of the software stack.
• Experience working effectively in globally distributed teams through strong self-discipline, autonomy, and motivation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with technical partners and customers.
• Experience with graphics stacks is a plus.
• Good understanding of networking technologies and protocols, including TCP/IP, DHCP, and HTTP/REST.
• Basic understanding of security best practices for IoT, embedded, or server environments.
• Experience across embedded platforms, including boards, SoCs, BMCs, bootloaders, firmware, operating systems, applications, and services, is highly valued.
• Familiarity with Docker, OCI containers, or Kubernetes is a plus.
• Strong passion for technology, continuous learning, and solving complex engineering problems.
• Public speaking or technical presentation experience is an advantage.

Benefits

• Fully remote working environment with the flexibility of working from anywhere.
• Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year.
• Annual compensation review.
• Performance-based annual bonuses or other additional rewards may apply depending on the role and location.
• Recognition and rewards programs.
• Annual holiday leave.
• Parental leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Opportunities to travel internationally and meet colleagues during in-person engineering sprints.
• Priority Pass access and travel upgrades for eligible long-haul company events.
• Opportunity to work with advanced Linux, IoT, embedded, cloud, and server technologies.
• Exposure to next-generation hardware platforms and collaboration with major technology and silicon partners.
• Opportunity to contribute to open-source technologies used across a broad range of global industries.
• Significant technical ownership across complex system architectures and performance optimization initiatives.