Open Source Architect
4 days ago
Nottingham
Principal / Director – Open Source Architect (Linux Kernel / Embedded Systems) – UK / Europe (Flexible / Hybrid) – £150,000 – £190,000 base + 30% bonus My client’s specialist software and architecture team is looking to add a Principal / Director – Open Source Architect to support the development and integration of next-generation compute, graphics, and embedded platform technologies. This role is focused on building internal capability around Linux kernel development, embedded Linux platforms, upstreaming, and open source strategy — moving away from reliance on external consultants and towards a more embedded, scalable, engineering-led approach. You will operate close to the hardware/software boundary, working across low-level software, Linux internals, embedded systems, platform enablement, and architecture teams to ensure alignment between internal engineering development and the wider open source ecosystem. Principal / Director – Open Source Architect Role & Responsibilities: • Define and drive open source and Linux kernel strategy across the organisation, • Lead and contribute to Linux kernel development, BSP, driver, and upstreaming activities, • Build internal capability and reduce reliance on external partners and consultants, • Act as the key technical interface between internal teams and open source communities, • Ensure alignment between internal platform development and external ecosystem standards, • Support integration of software with hardware platforms across CPU / GPU / SoC / RISC-V environments, • Collaborate with global engineering, architecture, and product teams, • Support platform optimisation across performance, scalability, reliability, and security, • Stay aligned with industry trends and developments across open source, embedded Linux, and low-level systems engineering Principal / Director – Open Source Architect Essential Skills: • Strong experience in Linux kernel development and embedded systems, • Proven track record of open source contribution and upstreaming, • Deep understanding of low-level software, Linux internals, drivers, BSPs, and system-level interactions, • Experience across embedded Linux, Yocto / Buildroot, secure boot, or platform bring-up environments, • Experience working across CPU, GPU, RISC-V, AI edge, or complex SoC environments, • Ability to operate at both hands-on and strategic levels, • Strong communication skills with the ability to engage internal teams and external communities, • Experience working across distributed/global engineering teams What This Isn’t • Not an application-level or user-space development role, • Not pure DevOps or cloud infrastructure, • Not isolated development — this is about ecosystem alignment, platform enablement, and long-term capability building Why This Role • Ownership of a critical and growing capability within the organisation, • Direct influence on how open source and Linux platforms are used internally, • Opportunity to shape strategy and reduce reliance on external partners, • Senior environment with real technical and organisational impact, • Highly engineering-led organisation operating across advanced compute and embedded systems development Salary and Package: • £150,000 – £190,000 base salary (depending on level and experience), • 30% bonus, • Total compensation: £195,000 – £247,000+, • Flexible / hybrid working model, • Pension, • Private medical, • Life assurance, • Income protection, • Training and development My client can offer a 3-stage process consisting of a 1st stage Video Call, 2nd Stage Video Call, and a 3rd Stage on-site Interview (meet the team and site tour). This process can be completed within 2–3 weeks (based on availability).