Senior Linux Platform Engineer / SW & HW Expert
Are you driven by a deep need to understand how systems work, from the kernel to the application layer? Do you see a working system not as an endpoint, but as a baseline for improvement, optimization, and hardening? We are a specialized team of software and hardware experts at the heart of medical instrument development. We build and own Linux, a purpose‑built, Debian‑based platform that powers the next generation of medical devices. We are seeking a senior engineer to join our team, someone who combines deep technical mastery with a passion for craftsmanship and a relentless drive to make things better. In this role, you will be a core contributor and consultant, ensuring the foundational operating system is robust, secure, and perfectly tailored to the demanding world of MedTech.
Tasks & Responsibilities
* Architect and Engineer our Core OS Platform: Take ownership of our custom Debian‑based distribution. This includes everything from kernel customization and driver integration to the creation, maintenance, and optimization of Debian packages.
* Master the Build and Release Pipeline: Evolve and improve the infrastructure and processes used to build, test, and release our Linux distribution, ensuring reliability and reproducibility.
* Be the Ultimate Escalation Point: Act as the go‑to expert for complex, low‑level system issues. Perform deep‑dive troubleshooting, debugging, and root‑cause analysis across both software and hardware.
* Consult and Empower Development Teams: Guide internal project teams on how to best leverage the Roche Linux platform.
* Proactively Drive Improvement: Constantly seek out opportunities to enhance our distribution, tools, and processes. Whether it's improving system performance, strengthening security, or automating a complex workflow, you will be expected to identify needs and champion solutions.
Must Haves
* Deep, Hands‑On Linux Mastery (8+ years): You are a seasoned professional who is comfortable across the entire Linux stack. (*****)
* Custom Distribution Engineering: Proven, extensive experience building, modifying, or maintaining a customized Linux distribution, with a strong preference for Debian (e.g., using tools like debootstrap, molior, aptly). (*****)
* Expertise in Debian Packaging: You don't just apt‑get install. You can create, patch, and maintain .deb packages from scratch, understanding policy, dependencies, and best Practices. (*****)
* Strong Scripting and Automation Skills: Fluency in Python and Shell scripting is essential for building tools and automating system tasks.
* Fundamental Systems Knowledge: A solid grasp of operating system theory (process management, memory, filesystems), software build systems (make, CMake), and the full testing and packaging lifecycle. (*****)
* A Systems Thinker: You see the big picture and understand how individual components interact to form a cohesive, reliable system.
* Driven by Curiosity: You have an innate need to understand why things work the way they do and are not satisfied with surface‑level explanations.
* A Pragmatic Problem‑Solver: You approach complex challenges with a logical and structured mindset, capable of working independently to find the root cause.
* A Proactive Contributor: You don’t wait for tasks to be assigned. You identify areas for improvement and take the initiative to make things better for the entire team.
* An Excellent Communicator: You can clearly articulate complex technical concepts to engineers and non‑technical stakeholders alike (Advanced English required).
Nice to Have
* Proficiency in a systems programming language like C or C++.
* Experience with embedded systems, the ARM platform, hardware drivers, and low‑level hardware/software integration.
* Knowledge of modern infrastructure: Virtualization (KVM), Containers (Docker, Kubernetes), CI/CD pipelines, and Infrastructure as Code (Terraform).
* Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS).
For this position we can only consider applicants with a Swiss work permit or a Swiss/EU passport.
#J-18808-Ljbffr