Embedded Linux Engineer/Yocto BSP Developer

Greetings from Optilink Network Pvt Ltd

We are looking for a Senior Embedded Linux Software Developer with extensive experience in developing, integrating, and optimizing software for Linux-based embedded platforms. The ideal candidate will be responsible for building robust system software, working with the Linux kernel, device drivers, board bring-up and system-level debugging..

The ideal candidate will work on the networking subsystem of the Linux kernel and contribute to core networking protocol implementations used in high-performance networking products such as ONTs, OLTs, switch and Routers.

Youll collaborate closely with hardware, firmware and system architecture teams to deliver high-quality embedded Linux solutions for production-grade products

Role & responsibilities

• Design, develop and maintain Embedded Linux system software for custom hardware platforms.
• Perform board bring-up from sractch, cross-toolchain, bootloader customization (U-Boot) and kernel configuration for network-oriented SoCs.
• Build and maintain Linux root filesystems using Yocto, Buildroot, Debian-based systems.
• Develop and integrate Linux kernel drivers, protocol stack optimizations, netfilter/bridge subsystems, device trees and board support packages (BSP).
• Develop and optimize platform drivers, gpio and network device drivers.
• Develop and optimize user-space applications, system daemons and inter-process communication (IPC) mechanisms (sockets, shared memory etc.).
• Work on system startup scripts, init systems (systemd), boot process and overall OS configuration.
• Debug kernel-space and user-space issues using tools like GDB, kgdb, strace, perf, ftrace.
• Optimize system performance, boot time, and memory footprint.
• Collaborate effectively with UI and full-stack developers to design and integrate system APIs and communication interfaces for device management dashboards.
• Collaborate with hardware and QA teams for integration, validation, and release.

Participate in design reviews, code reviews, and mentoring of junior developers

Preferred candidate profile

• 7+ years of hands-on experience in Embedded Linux system development, preferably in networking products (eg. GPON products and Switches).
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ programming for both kernel and user space.
• Strong Proficiency with Board-bring up process, cross-toolchain, bootloaders (U-Boot), device tree configuration, and BSP customization.
• Proficiency with Yocto Project, Buildroot or similar build systems.
• Deep understanding of Linux internals & low-level system programming networking stack, process management, memory management and low-level device drivers.
• Hands-on experience in platform & bus drivers (such as gpio, i2c, ethernet, usb) and network interface drivers (Ethernet, switch, PHY, VLAN, etc.).
• Hands-on shell scripting, Makefile, Git, Cmake, packet tracing tools like wireshark and cross-compilation toolchains.
• Experience with GNU or similar compiler and debugging suites, JTAG, GDB, kgdb, strace, perf, dmesg, ftrace and other debugging tools.
• Experience and deep understanding of Linux kernel networking subsystem, OSI layer, netfilter, bridge or routing protocols and should be able to tweak those in kernel source.
• Strong working knwoledge of Communication protocols like TCP/IP stack, L2 Protocols, L2 packet forwarding, Ehernet/MPLS-TP OAM, Routing Protocols (BGP,RIP,OSPF,IS-IS), PON Protocol, PHY, Switching, Security, PCIe.
• Ability to read and interpret chip/SoC datasheets and techincal reference manuals.
• Strong ability in reverse engineering, debugging and identifying root causes of system-level issues.
• Working knowledge of networking-specific SoCs based on architectures such as MIPS or similar embedded processors is preferred.
• Collaborate effectively with UI and full-stack developers to design and integrate system APIs and communication interfaces for device management dashboards.
• Understand and implement REST/JSON-based APIs, netlink/dbus interfaces, and network communication protocols that bridge embedded services with front-end applications.
• Familiarity with DevOps workflows (CI/CD pipelines, Docker, Jenkins, GitLab CI) is a plus for seamless integration with broader product development teams.