Senior Embedded Linux Engineer (m/f/d)

Stuttgart, Austin, Munich

Full-time

Permanent employee

Your mission

The future of AI computing is light, not electrons.
At Q.ANT, we are building photonic processing systems that compute with light—delivering a scalable, energy-efficient alternative to transistor-based architectures for next-generation AI and high-performance computing.

As Senior Embedded Linux Engineer (m/f/d), you take technical ownership of our embedded Linux stack: from custom Linux images and kernel/device drivers to production-ready field deployments. You'll work with technologies such as Yocto, PetaLinux, and Zephyr RTOS, actively shaping the interface between photonic hardware and software.

Your Impact & Responsibilities

Define and own the in-house embedded Linux stack and embedded software for our photonic AI accelerators
Develop and maintain custom Linux images (Yocto/PetaLinux) as well as kernel and device drivers
Interface on-chip and off-chip components via MMIO, AXI, PCIe, SPI, I2C, and UART under real-time requirements
Define and develop host-Linux-based components, including Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS) tasks in the Linux host system
Establish best practices, tools, and methods for building custom Linux and embedded software solutions
Coach and develop junior and mid-level engineers
Collaborate closely with R&D software engineers, processor architects, and digital design engineers
Ensure successful bring-ups and field deployments

Your profile

M.Sc./M.Eng. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field; equivalent industry experience also considered
3+ years of hands-on experience building custom Linux images and device drivers
3+ years of experience in low-level software development and RTOS
Deep understanding of the Linux build system
Hands-on experience interfacing on-chip and off-chip components via MMIO, AXI, PCIe, SPI, I2C, UART
Understanding of services design in a Linux environment
Solid command of C/C++ and Python; experience with Yocto and/or PetaLinux
Experience with CI/CD pipelines and agile development methodology

Why us?

Work on the leading edge: Photonic AI acceleration technologies that will define the next decade of computing - already validated in production HPC environments
Make impact at scale: Help solve one of computing's biggest challenges—making growing demand in compute and sustainability go hand in hand
Own your work from day one: Broad autonomy and decision authority with direct impact on product success and the future of AI infrastructure
Fast-track your growth: Work on challenges with few industry precedents—every problem you solve becomes new institutional knowledge and potentially industry-defining IP
World-class team: Collaborate alongside a passionate, international, cross-functional team of experts in photonics, processor design, and AI systems
Direct access to leadership: Work closely with the company's founders, including CEO Dr. Michael Förtsch, and advisory board members who shaped the semiconductor industry (ARM, Intel, Infineon)
Collaborative culture: Innovative work environment that values technical excellence, open communication, and pragmatic problem-solving
Be part of history: Join at the inflection point where photonic computing transitions from research to mainstream—your contributions will shape this transformation

About us

Who we are and what we do

Q.ANT is a deep-tech scale-up developing photonic processing solutions that compute natively with light and deliver a scalable alternative to transistor-based systems. The analog co-processors are optimised for complex computations and enable energy-efficient performance for next-generation AI and HPC applications. In collaboration with the Institute for Microelectronics Stuttgart IMS CHIPS, Q.ANT operates its own pilot line for photonic chips, based on the material system Thin-Film Lithium Niobate TFLN. Q.ANT was founded by Michael Förtsch in 2018 and is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.