Senior OS / Kernel Engineer

About NIO

NIO is a pioneer and a leading company in the global smart electric vehicle market. Founded in November 2014, NIO aspires to shape a sustainable and brighter future with the mission of “Blue Sky Coming.” NIO envisions itself as a user enterprise where innovative technology meets experience excellence. NIO designs, develops, manufactures, and sells smart electric vehicles, driving innovations in next-generation core technologies.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Prototype and evaluate advanced systems software concepts, including kernels, file systems, drivers, and networking, to improve system performance, safety, and dependability.
• Design, implement, and optimize critical low-level system components to fulfill strict real-time performance and safety goals.
• Contribute to the long-term systems software architecture and help guide technical decisions within the smart EV infrastructure.
• Collaborate closely with broader engineering teams to transition prototypes and advanced concepts into highly reliable, production-ready deployments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related fields.
• Strong background and hands-on experience in operating system internals, virtualization, or system security.
• Solid understanding of computer hardware architecture, with practical experience in at least one of the following: x86, Arm, or RISC-V.
• Proficiency in C, assembly, and/or Rust.
• Proven ability to navigate, debug, and improve complex, low-level codebases.
• Strong troubleshooting skills to diagnose and resolve complex system-level performance, memory, and stability issues.
• Able to work independently on ambiguous technical problems while remaining a strong, communicative team collaborator.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Familiarity with the latest academic research in systems (e.g., papers from SOSP, OSDI, ASPLOS) and a track record of applying these concepts to solve industry problems.
• Experience modifying, extending, or building core system software components (such as custom kernel modules, hypervisors, real-time operating systems (RTOS), or network stacks).
• Exposure to microkernel architectures or automotive/safety-critical operating systems.
• Familiarity with formal verification methods or automotive safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262).

Benefits

• Anthem Blue Cross, HSA, and Kaiser HMO medical plans with $0 for Employee Only Coverage.
• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plan. Both provide options with a $0 paycheck contribution covering you and your eligible dependents.
• Company Paid HSA (Health Savings Account) Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Anthem Blue Cross medical plan.
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• 401(k) with Brokerage Link option.
• Basic Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Sick and Vacation time.
• 13 Paid Holidays a year.
• Paid Parental Leave for first 8 weeks at full pay (eligible after 90 days of employment with NIO).
• Paid Disability Leave for first 6 weeks at full pay (eligible after 90 days of employment with NIO).
• Voluntary benefits including: Voluntary Life and AD&D options for you, your spouse/domestic partner and dependent child(ren), pet insurance.
• Commuter benefits.
• Mobile Cell Phone Credit.
• Free lunch and snacks.
• Onsite gym.
• Employee discounts and perks program.