Senior Yocto Build Engineer

Ford Motor Company

Senior Yocto Build Engineer designing secure, scalable embedded Linux build infrastructure for Ford’s electric vehicle platforms. Optimizing Yocto workflows, automation, and release pipelines.

Posted 9/10/2026full-timePalo Alto • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $138,800 - $232,700 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in designing and maintaining Yocto/OpenEmbedded build systems for automotive and embedded Linux platforms, with a strong focus on build security practices, performance optimization, and compliance with industry standards. Proficient in collaborating with stakeholders to enhance build infrastructure and streamline workflows.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Yocto Project ExperienceEmbedded Linux Build SystemsBuild Security PracticesC/C++ DevelopmentAutomation and Scripting

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Yocto ProjectOpenEmbeddedLinux InternalsC/C++ DevelopmentPython ScriptingBash ScriptingContainerization TechnologiesBuild Performance OptimizationVersion Control (Git)BSP Maintenance

Soft Skills

CollaborationTechnical LeadershipMentoring

Tools & Technologies

DockerPodmanBuildahBazelCMake

Industry Keywords

Automotive StandardsISO 26262ASPICERegulatory ComplianceVulnerability Scanning

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AndroidC++DockerLinuxPythonRust

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Design, implement, and maintain Yocto/OpenEmbedded build systems for automotive and embedded Linux platforms
Create and optimize layer stacks, recipes, machine configurations, distro policies, and image definitions for production targets
Develop and maintain BSP integrations, SDK generation, and cross-toolchain setups for multiple hardware architectures and target boards
Collaborate with stakeholders to gather requirements and translate them into scalable embedded build system improvements supporting quality, security, and delivery speed
Drive architectural decisions for build reproducibility, layered customization, dependency management, and image composition strategies
Develop and maintain automation tools, scripts, and internal build frameworks to streamline image builds, testing, and release workflows
Manage build infrastructure, including local and CI-based Yocto builds, sstate caching, shared downloads, and artifact retention strategies
Implement security practices for embedded builds, including signed artifacts, vulnerability scanning, SBOM generation, and compliance with manufacturing requirements
Ensure compliance with automotive industry standards and regulatory requirements across multiple target platforms
Document build architecture, layer structure, image definitions, and operational procedures
Support build-related incidents, performance issues, recipe failures, and release blockers
Establish build metrics, KPIs, and dashboards to monitor build health, throughput, and developer productivity
Optimize Yocto build performance through layer cleanup, incremental build tuning, cache strategy adjustments, and dependency pruning
Work with third-party vendors, silicon partners, and platform teams to integrate BSPs, toolchains, and software modules into the release pipeline
Drive adoption of Yocto best practices and mentor engineers on embedded Linux build workflows, automation, and debugging
Provide technical leadership as a senior individual contributor, shaping the roadmap for embedded Linux build infrastructure, toolchain evolution, and software delivery

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, STEM, or equivalent professional experience
5+ years of hands-on experience with Yocto Project and OpenEmbedded build systems
Strong experience developing and maintaining layers, recipes, machine files, distro configurations, and image builds for Linux-based embedded systems
Expert-level understanding of Git and version control strategies, including branching, release management, and layered software integration
Deep knowledge of Linux internals, cross-compilation, toolchains, and embedded software packaging workflows
Experience with C/C++ development and toolchain customization for embedded systems
Scripting experience in Python and Bash
Experience with containerization technologies and tools such as Docker, Podman, and Buildah
Strong understanding of build security practices, artifact signing, reproducibility, and vulnerability scanning for embedded systems
Experience with build performance optimization, observability, and metrics collection for large-scale Yocto environments
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States
Master's degree in Computer Science or other STEM focus areas with prior experience as an embedded software developer (even better)
Experience with AOSP build system and Android repo workflows (even better)
Experience with Bazel, CMake, or other build systems in a mixed-language embedded environment (even better)
Experience with automotive ECUs, Linux-based compute platforms, or multiple target architectures (even better)
Programming experience in Rust and Cargo (even better)
Experience with BSP maintenance, kernel customization, bootloader integration, and device tree updates (even better)
Knowledge of automotive industry standards, including ISO 26262 and ASPICE (even better)
Familiarity with regulatory compliance requirements for embedded systems (even better)
Experience with vulnerability scanning and security tooling in software supply chains (even better)
Experience with artifact management, release pipelines, and software factory automation (even better)

Benefits

Comp & perks

Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
Flexible family care days
Paid parental leave
New parent ramp-up programs
Subsidized back-up child care
Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement and fertility treatments
Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
Tuition assistance
Established and active employee resource groups
Paid time off for individual and team community service
A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time
Visa sponsorship available