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Zoox

Senior/Staff Software Engineer - Embedded Linux Operating Systems

Foster City, CA
Salary
USD 237,000 - 322,000 / per-year-salary
Level
Staff
Work type
Hybrid · Foster City

Not stated in the posting: visa.

Open. First seen 22 October 2026.

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About the role

Zoox's Robot Software Infrastructure team is seeking a passionate software engineer to help develop and advance the common performant operating system that powers several devices on our vehicle including Autonomy systems. This team develops platform-level software and services, including operating systems that enable complex, hardware-accelerated workloads critical for autonomous driving on automotive-grade hardware.

We work closely with cross-functional teams—including developers, release management, hardware engineering, manufacturing and operations—to support vehicle development and deployment at scale. You'll have the opportunity to influence the next generation of our platform, hardware, and robotaxi. If you are excited to explore a broad problem space and are mindful of how components fit within a larger system, you may be a great fit!

In this role, you will:

  • Design, develop, and maintain the operating system platform that powers various on-bot devices and applications
  • Architect and implement platform-level software to support robust and scalable robotics infrastructure
  • Configure and manage embedded Linux build systems (e.g., Yocto) and bootloader processes (e.g., U-Boot) to ensure reliable system startup and maintenance
  • Develop and optimize device drivers and kernel-space components using C, C++, or Rust to meet performance and reliability requirements
  • Collaborate cross-functionally to support seamless integration and delivery of the OS platform, triage issues, support new hardware bring-up and manufacturing functions

Qualifications

  • 8+ years delivering production systems and software applications, 2+ years of delivering custom Embedded Linux operating systems
  • Have a deep understanding of Linux, build systems like Yocto, and bootloaders like U-Boot
  • Be familiar with Linux init systems (e.g., systemd), containerization concepts (e.g., chroot, cgroups, Linux namespaces), and filesystems
  • Understand device drivers and kernel-space code and proficiency in a language without automatic memory management (e.g., C or C++), and in multiple scripting languages like bash and Python
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills along with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience

Bonus Qualifications

  • Experience with embedded Linux in a robotics application
  • Familiarity with security software: PKI, secure boot, OTA software update, hardware key storage, etc.
  • Familiarity with Nvidia GPUs, Nvidia Thor/Orin, Cuda, TRT, etc.
  • Graduate degree with a focus on networking, operating systems, or firmware

About Zoox

Zoox is developing the first ground-up, fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the supporting ecosystem required to bring this technology to market. Sitting at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and design, Zoox aims to provide the next generation of mobility-as-a-service in urban environments. We’re looking for top talent that shares our passion and wants to be part of a fast-moving and highly execution-oriented team.

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Zoox's standard text

Accommodations

If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please reach out to accommodations@zoox.com or your assigned recruiter.

A Final Note:

You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.

What this role asks for

Standard for embedded / hardware roles

C++ · Embedded Systems · Python

Common in embedded / hardware postings at any company.

In most of Zoox's ads

Machine Learning

Named in most of its open postings, whatever the role.

85% of this description is written for the role. The rest is Zoox's standard text, folded away below.

Compared with Zoox's other open jobs.

The team: Software Systems HIRES STEADILY

This role is one of 29 open in Software Systems. 9 were posted in the last 30 days and the oldest in October: a team that hires all year rather than one being built.

WHAT THE TEAM WORKS WITH, ACROSS ITS POSTINGS

Machine Learning (28 of 29), Python (18 of 29), C++ (17 of 29), Embedded Systems (10 of 29), Linux (8 of 29), Bash (7 of 29), PyTorch (7 of 29)

OTHER ROLES ON THIS TEAM

From the team and dates on Zoox's own job board.

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