Principal Technologist (Austin, TX)

Principle Technologist

Location: Austin, TX

 ABOUT WIND RIVER 

Wind River is a global leader in delivering software for mission-critical intelligent systems. For more than four decades, the company has been an innovator and pioneer, powering billions of systems that require the highest levels of security, safety, and reliability.  

Wind River helps customers across automotive, aerospace, defense, industrial, medical, and telecommunications industries solve complex technology challenges on their journey toward the new intelligent machine economy. The company’s software powers generation after generation of the safest, most secure systems in the world.  Examples include playing a key role in NASA space missions such as Artemis I, the James Webb Space Telescope, and multiple Mars rovers. We’ve achieved recent 5G milestones including the world’s first successful 5G data session with Verizon and building one of the largest Open RAN networks in the world with Vodafone. 

The company has received industry recognition for its technology innovation and leadership, and for its workplace culture, including global Great Place to Work certification and being named a “Top Workplace” for ten consecutive years. If you want to be part of a unique culture where the lived experience is based on our cultural attributes of growth mindset, customer-focus, and diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging, come join us and help advance the future software defined world. 

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Principal Open Source Technologist is a senior technical leadership role focused on open source strategy, community engagement, and technical excellence in open source projects. This role drives Wind River's open source initiatives, represents the company in open source communities, and ensures our contributions align with business objectives while advancing the open source ecosystem.

In your daily job you will:

Open Source Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute Wind River's open source strategy and roadmap
• Identify strategic open source projects and communities for engagement
• Drive technical vision for open source contributions and initiatives
• Represent Wind River in open source communities and working groups
• Influence open source project direction and technical decisions
• Build relationships with key open source maintainers and contributors

Technical Contributions

• Lead significant contributions to open source projects (Linux kernel, Yocto Project, etc.)
• Design and implement features that benefit both Wind River and the open source community
• Review and approve open source contributions from Wind River engineers
• Ensure code quality and adherence to open source project standards
• Maintain upstream patches and ensure compatibility with upstream projects
• Drive upstream-first development practices

Community Engagement

• Actively participate in open source communities and mailing lists
• Present at open source conferences and events (Linux Plumbers, FOSDEM, etc.)
• Organize and lead open source community events and meetups
• Build and maintain relationships with open source community leaders
• Mentor engineers on open source contribution practices
• Foster a culture of open source contribution within Wind River

HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE
 

Key skills and competencies for succeeding in this role are:

Open Source Project Areas

Linux Kernel

• Contribute to Linux kernel development and maintenance
• Address kernel features relevant to embedded systems
• Work on device drivers, subsystems, and core kernel functionality
• Ensure Wind River's kernel patches are upstream-ready

Yocto Project

• Lead contributions to Yocto Project and OpenEmbedded
• Drive features and improvements for embedded Linux builds
• Participate in Yocto Project technical steering
• Mentor Yocto Project contributors

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• 12+ years of software engineering experience
• 8+ years of experience with embedded Linux or systems programming
• 5+ years of active open source contribution experience
• Proven track record of significant open source contributions
• Experience as a maintainer or core contributor to major open source projects

• Expert-level proficiency in C/C++ and systems programming
• Deep understanding of Linux kernel architecture and development
• Extensive experience with embedded systems and real-time systems
• Strong knowledge of open source development practices and tools
• Experience with Git and distributed version control
• Expertise in code review and open source contribution workflows
• Understanding of open source licensing and compliance
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis - without requirement for any type of visa sponsorship/transfer, now, or at any time in future. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
• Must be a local resident of Greater Austin, TX, with ability to work on campus.

Leadership & Communication

• Exceptional technical communication skills
• Strong public speaking and presentation abilities

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Maintainer or core contributor status in major open source projects
• Extensive Yocto Project experience and leadership
• Significant Linux kernel contributions and recognition
• Experience in safety-critical industries (aerospace, automotive, medical)
• Knowledge of functional safety standards (ISO 26262, DO-178C, etc.)
• Open source project governance experience
• Industry recognition (awards, keynote speaking, etc.)
• Published technical papers or articles on open source topics
• Key Performance Indicators
• Open source contribution quality and impact
• Community engagement and relationship building
• Strategic open source project participation
• Upstream contribution acceptance rate
• Conference presentations and speaking engagements
• Mentoring and development of open source contributors
• Open source strategy execution
• Industry recognition and thought leadership

BENEFITS 

• Hybrid work model for workplace flexibility 
• Comprehensive health, dental, and life insurance 
• Short and long-term disability coverage 
• RRSP matching for financial security 
• Flexible time-off policies for work-life balance 
• Employee assistance program for mental well-being 
• Learning benefits, including a LinkedIn Learning subscription and seminars 

Join us at Wind River, where we're not just shaping technology; we're shaping the future of a safer, more connected world. Your journey to make a meaningful impact begins here. 

Wind River is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity. We prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation or any other legally protected status.

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