Senior Systems Software Development Engineer

About the role

Design and implement real-time system software architectures leveraging SMP and AMP approaches for embedded audio systems. Bring up, debug, and maintain bootloader (U-Boot) and embedded Linux across new hardware platforms. Lead early board bring-up and debug of new PCBs using ARM SoCs, WiSoCs, BT SoCs, and microcontrollers. Develop and maintain Linux kernel drivers across a wide range of subsystems, interfaces, and peripherals. Own and evolve the HDMI software stack, including video path integration, ARC/eARC, CEC, userspace interfaces supporting the audio/product pipeline, and integrate vendor SDKs, BSP components, and OS modules into the build and release process. Develop and maintain HAL libraries enabling clean, testable interfaces between hardware and user space. Identify platform gaps relative to hardware capabilities and product requirements; propose and deliver improvements to enable faster prototyping and evaluation of new hardware. Contribute to BSP validation and system-level debugging across HW/SW boundaries. Define, execute, and document unit and integration testing for system software components. Partner with silicon and component vendors to coordinate support and resolve platform issues across CPU/radio SoCs, MCU/PIC, NPU/GPU, and peripheral devices. Support hardware engineering teams with deep technical debugging and contribute to OS/platform modernization efforts.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement real-time system software architectures leveraging SMP and AMP approaches for embedded audio systems
• Bring up, debug, and maintain bootloader (U-Boot) and embedded Linux across new hardware platforms
• Lead early board bring-up and debug of new PCBs using ARM SoCs, WiSoCs, BT SoCs, and microcontrollers
• Develop and maintain Linux kernel drivers across a wide range of subsystems, interfaces, and peripherals
• Own and evolve the HDMI software stack, including video path integration, ARC/eARC, CEC, userspace interfaces supporting the audio/product pipeline, and integrate vendor SDKs, BSP components, and OS modules into the build and release process
• Develop and maintain HAL libraries enabling clean, testable interfaces between hardware and user space
• Identify platform gaps relative to hardware capabilities and product requirements; propose and deliver improvements to enable faster prototyping and evaluation of new hardware
• Contribute to BSP validation and system-level debugging across HW/SW boundaries
• Define, execute, and document unit and integration testing for system software components
• Partner with silicon and component vendors to coordinate support and resolve platform issues across CPU/radio SoCs, MCU/PIC, NPU/GPU, and peripheral devices
• Support hardware engineering teams with deep technical debugging and contribute to OS/platform modernization efforts

Requirements

• Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or related field
• At least 5 years of professional experience developing firmware/system software for embedded systems
• Strong proficiency in C/C++
• Significant experience with embedded Linux, kernel internals, and device driver development
• Experience bringing up and debugging systems using U-Boot and common boot flows
• Experience with toolchain and debug tooling (e.g., gcc, binutils, gdb)
• Experience designing and developing software/firmware using Free-RTOS as developing bare-metal applications for microcontrollers
• Strong debugging capability using tools such as JTAG, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes
• Proven ability to build performance-critical software in resource-constrained environments (e.g., high-speed peripheral drivers)
• Proficiency with Yocto Project / OpenEmbedded workflows
• Strong understanding of Linux execution contexts and concurrency, including locking/mutexes, SMP behavior, and kernel/user boundaries
• Familiarity with key interfaces/protocols such as: DDR, NAND, PCIe, Ethernet, SPI, I2C, UART, TCP/IP, Wi-Fi (802.11), Bluetooth/BLE

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in Python
• Prior hardware design exposure and ability to read schematics/datasheets
• Familiarity for low-level optimization and performance tuning
• Familiarity with USBPD and development experience in USB PD ICs
• Experience working in Agile development environments

Benefits

The base pay range for this role based off geographic location is: $137,000 and $170,900. The specific pay offered will depend on the candidate’s geographic location, as well as qualifications and experience. We apply geographic pay differentials based on the cost of labor in the market. Employees in high-cost locations may be compensated at the upper end of the range, while those in medium or low cost markets may be compensated at the lower end of the range. Sonos offers a comprehensive benefits program with choice and flexibility in mind to help support the health, wealth, and overall well-being of our employees. Regular full time employees in the US are eligible for benefits on day one, including: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance, A 401(k) plan with company matching and immediate vesting, An Open Time Off policy (OTO) so you have maximum opportunity to disconnect and recharge, with no tenure-based vacation accruals required, 80 hours of sick time upon hire, refreshed annually, Up to 12 paid holidays per calendar year, Sonos offers a generous paid leave program for new parents or to care for a family member with a serious health condition, as well as short- and long-term disability for your own medical condition, Company-paid Disability, Life, and AD&D Insurance, Voluntary benefits, including Voluntary Life, AD&D, Accident, and Pet Insurance, Mental health benefits to support your holistic well-being, A generous employee discount program & Sonos Radio HD - on us!