System Software Engineer, Linux Kernel and Device Drivers

Overview In this role you will architect and implement the Linux kernel driver stack for MatX AI accelerators, build low-level userspace libraries, and bring up features in pre-silicon environments. You will work across the stack from drivers to tooling, collaborating with hardware, firmware, and platform teams. Your work directly enables high-throughput, low-latency AI compute on heterogeneous silicon. This is a hands-on opportunity to influence first-silicon bring-up and drive impactful optimization in the host software path. Compensation / Benefits4 weeks PTO12 company holidaysremote work up to 3 weeksHealth: medical, dental, visionLife and disability insurance401K/Roth IRA with company contribution up to 5% ResponsibilitiesArchitect and implement the Linux kernel driver stack for AI accelerators (PCIe endpoint) including memory management, DMA, interrupts, and command submissionDevelop low-level userspace libraries on top of the driver (ioctl/sysfs interfaces, mmap, chip access utilities)Test and validate new chip features in pre-silicon environments (simulation, emulation, FPGA)Write prototype code, debugging utilities, and bring-up tooling for direct chip interactionCollaborate with hardware, BMC firmware, and platform engineers on first-silicon bring-up across RTL, firmware, kernel, and userspaceProfile and optimize host I/O path (PCIe throughput, DMA, latency, OS overhead)Deliver unit and regression tests for kernel and library componentsExpose driver state and errors for telemetry and management systemsInfluence next-generation chip architecture by feeding software requirements back to silicon designShare ownership of related components (telemetry daemons, chip initialization) Key requirementsBS or higher in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience8+ years in low-level systems softwareStrong Linux kernel development experience with device drivers (PCIe)Strong C programming skills (kernel and userspace)Ability to read hardware datasheets and program devices from register mapsDeep understanding of computer architecture and OS internals (MMIO, DMA, interrupts, IOMMU, memory hierarchy)Proven debugging of complex hardware/software interactions with limited visibilitySelf-driven, comfortable with ambiguity, capable of owning a component end-to-endSelf-driven and comfortable with ambiguityCross-functional collaborationHands-on, pragmatic problem-solvingLinux kernel driver development (PCIe)C programming (kernel and userspace)Reading hardware datasheets and programming devices from registers