Senior Technical Lead MPU Linux Kernel Engineer and Platform AVV

Senior Technical Lead MPU Linux SDK and Platform Validation (AVV)

Lead Linux SDK bring-up and AVV for a next-gen MPU platform.

Location: Bangalore, India

About GlobalFoundries

GlobalFoundries is a leading full-service semiconductor foundry providing a unique combination of design, development, and fabrication services to some of the world’s most inspired technology companies. With a global manufacturing footprint spanning three continents, GlobalFoundries make possible the technologies and systems that transform industries and give customers the power to shape their markets. For more information, visit www.gf.com.

Introduction:

We’re looking for a senior technical leader to drive software enablement for our next-generation MPU platform focusing on baseline Linux SDK bring-up, core platform drivers, and software-driven platform validation (AVV). You will lead the team responsible for enabling first silicon and delivering a robust Linux-based SDK that unlocks advanced platform capabilities over time.

This is an exciting opportunity:

• To shape the MPU Linux software stack from bring-up through a production SDK: Linux BSP, drivers, tooling, and validation (AVV).

• Work at the intersection of SoC hardware, firmware, OS, and system validation influencing architecture decisions and tapeout readiness through software-centric AVV.

• Enable multiple end markets: Edge AI, vision processing, digital cockpit/HMI, industrial/robot vision, radar/lidar, and mid-range infotainment.

Our goal is to deliver a scalable MPU software platform that validates the SoC thoroughly and provides customers and partners with a robust SDK repository accelerating time-to-value through hardware/software co-optimization.

If you are an innovative problem solver with a deep passion for low-level software, platform bring-up, and system validation  and love building things from the ground up we want to hear from you!

As our mission goes, we are committed to offering Freedom to Innovate Compute join us to build an MPU platform that enables a broad ecosystem and accelerates customer innovation.

Our Key Differentiators 

This MPU platform software scope includes:

• Linux-first baseline SDK (APL): kernel/BSP bring-up, core drivers, build & packaging, and documentation enabling an ecosystem-ready developer experience.

• Software-centric AVV and platform enablement across key domains: low power/PRCM, DDR, high-speed IO (PCIe/USB/HDMI), networking/TSN, multimedia, and industrial connectivity with a clear ramp from baseline SDK to advanced features.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership

  • Build and lead a cross-functional software team spanning Linux BSP/SDK, platform drivers, and validation (AVV).

  • Define execution plans, milestones, and quality metrics for baseline SDK (APL) and advanced features ramp (post-APL).

  • Mentor engineers and tech leads; drive design reviews, coding standards, and end-to-end delivery ownership.

• Platform SDK Development (Linux + RTOS)

  • Own the architecture and delivery of the baseline Linux platform SDK (APL), including BSP bring-up, device drivers, foundational middleware, build systems, and release packaging.

  • Ensure a modular, maintainable software architecture enabling reuse across internal validation and customer deliverables; drive upstream-quality practices for Linux components (kernel, drivers, and tooling).

  • Deliver reference applications, enablement guides, and application frameworks (e.g., vision/compute frameworks such as OpenVX where applicable) aligned to target markets.

  • Lead enablement for key subsystems: low-power/PRCM, DDR, high-speed peripherals (PCIe/USB/HDMI), networking/TSN, multimedia, and industrial connectivity (e.g., EtherCAT/ProfiNET/EtherNet/IP).

• Post-Silicon AVV

  • Define and execute software-centric AVV strategy for post-silicon validation.

  • Validate key MPU platform subsystems: DDR, high-speed IO (PCIe/USB/HDMI), networking/TSN, power management/PRCM, and foundational Linux enablement.

  • Lead first-silicon bring-up, deep debug, and regression closure in close collaboration with RTL/DV/PD teams; drive issue triage and silicon readiness decisions.

  • Implement platform and use-case validation covering functional, performance, power, and stability behaviours for key workloads (vision, cockpit/HMI, Edge AI, industrial).

  • Establish release gates for software-based validation (ABV-style): test plans, coverage, and sign-off criteria to enable hardware readiness and SDK quality milestones.

  • Build automation infrastructure for pre/post-silicon validation labs and CI pipelines (smoke, regression, performance, and stability testing).

• Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Drive VDK/SoC model enablement (digital twin) to accelerate early software bring-up and HMI/use-case development ahead of silicon availability.

  • Work closely with system architects, hardware, DV/PD, and bring-up teams.

  • Provide software-driven feedback to system architects and hardware teams on memory/IO subsystems, performance/power trade-offs, and driver/OS requirements.

  • Align roadmaps and execution with internal stakeholders and external partners (IP vendors, driver providers, ecosystem collaborators) to meet SDK and silicon milestones.

• Customer & Ecosystem Engagement

  • Collaborate with customers and ecosystem partners on bring-up, integration, and adoption of the MPU baseline SDK and advanced feature packages.

  • Contribute to relevant ecosystems where appropriate (e.g., Linux kernel/drivers, toolchains, RTOS, validation tooling) to improve long-term maintainability and adoption.

Preferred Qualification:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Embedded Systems, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering.

• 15+ years of experience in embedded/low-level software and platform bring-up/validation, with 2+ years in a technical leadership role.

• Strong expertise in Linux (kernel, device drivers, BSP bring-up) including board bring-up and low-level debugging.

• Hands-on experience with SoC bring-up and debug (JTAG, trace, emulation), and validation of complex subsystems such as DDR, PCIe, USB, HDMI/Display, and power management.

• Strong knowledge of networking and connectivity stacks: Ethernet/Linux networking, TSN concepts, plus common embedded interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C, GPIO).

• Strong scripting/automation skills (Python, Bash) and familiarity with CI/CD practices for build, test, and validation pipelines.

Good to have:

• Experience maintaining or upstreaming Linux kernel/device-driver code and working with build systems (Yocto/Buildroot or similar) is a plus.

• Experience enabling high-speed peripherals (PCIe/USB), multimedia/display pipelines (HDMI/MIPI), or vision/AI software stacks.

• Familiarity with industrial Ethernet/protocol ecosystems (e.g., EtherCAT, ProfiNET, EtherNet/IP) and/or real-time networking.

• Experience with virtual platforms/VDKs, SoC modeling, or digital-twin workflows to accelerate pre-silicon software development.

​More about us:

MIPS is well-known as a microprocessor pioneer, having led the way in RISC-based computing to enable faster and more power efficient semiconductors for a wide range of applications from consumer electronics to networking and communications. More than 30 years after the introduction of the original MIPS RISC architecture, MIPS processors have shipped into billions of consumer and enterprise products.

Today, MIPS is once again leading a RISC revolution as we build on our deep roots to accelerate the RISC-V architecture for high-performance applications. We are focused on delivering our first RISC-V products: the MIPS eVocore processors, which provide a new level of scalability for high-performance heterogeneous computing. Because of our RISC heritage, deep engineering expertise, and proven technologies, MIPS can accelerate development and deployment of RISC-V based solutions.

MIPS - GlobalFoundries company is an equal opportunity employer, cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We believe having a multicultural workplace enhances productivity, efficiency and innovation whilst our employees feel truly respected, valued and heard.

As an affirmative employer, all qualified applicants are considered for employment regardless of age, ethnicity, marital status, citizenship, race, religion, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation and medical and/or physical abilities.

All offers of employment with GlobalFoundries are conditioned upon the successful completion of background checks, medical screenings as applicable and subject to the respective local laws and regulations.