System Software Engineer – Linux Kernel and Device Drivers

MatX is hiring a System Software Engineer - Linux Kernel and Device Drivers to work full-time in Mountain View, CA. You'll design and implement the low-level software that powers our custom AI accelerators, working on everything from kernel drivers to system-level tools that interface with next-generation silicon.

Role Overview

Our host systems software team builds the complete driver stack that makes MatX's AI accelerators accessible and performant. You'll own the transition from hardware specifications to production-quality driver implementations, collaborating with hardware engineers and firmware teams throughout design, prototyping, validation, and launch. This is foundational infrastructure work with immediate impact on AI application performance.

Responsibilities

• Design and build the Linux kernel driver layer for PCIe-based AI accelerators, including memory management, DMA handling, interrupt processing, and command submission
• Develop userspace libraries and utilities that sit on top of kernel drivers, managing device communication and memory access
• Validate chip functionality across simulation, emulation, and FPGA platforms before reaching production silicon
• Write debugging tools and prototyping code that communicate directly with hardware
• Lead hardware bring-up efforts, resolving cross-layer integration problems spanning firmware, kernel, and userspace
• Optimize host I/O performance for throughput, DMA efficiency, interrupt latency, and minimal OS overhead
• Create comprehensive unit and regression tests for driver and library components
• Integrate device monitoring and error reporting into management and BMC systems
• Provide architectural input to inform future chip designs
• Collaborate on adjacent system components and infrastructure

Skills & Qualifications

• BS degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent professional experience
• 8+ years developing systems-level software, with shipped Linux kernel drivers
• Production-level PCIe device driver implementation experience
• Strong C programming skills in both kernel and userspace environments
• Ability to read hardware datasheets and register definitions and implement from them independently
• Deep understanding of computer architecture basics: memory-mapped I/O, DMA, interrupt handling, IOMMU, memory hierarchy, process management, virtual memory
• Experience debugging hardware-software interaction problems with limited diagnostic information
• Self-directed engineer comfortable with technical ambiguity, able to own components from initial specification through production validation
• Bonus: pre-silicon validation experience, first-silicon platform bring-up, SR-IOV or dma-buf or peer-to-peer PCIe or VFIO experience, kernel profiling and analysis tools, BMC and host communication patterns, or Rust systems programming

Why Join MatX

MatX offers competitive salary and equity-based compensation. Health benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance with HSA company contributions. You'll receive 4 weeks of accrued paid time off, 12 company holidays, and 3 weeks of annual flexible or remote time. Parental leave extends to 12 weeks paid. Professional development is supported with $1,500 yearly funding. Retirement benefits include 401K and Roth IRA with 5% company matching. Additional perks include flexible spending accounts, a $50 monthly lifestyle allowance, commute assistance for rideshares up to one hour, and home office support. You'll work in our Mountain View office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with Monday and Friday available for remote work. Compensation is calibrated to background and experience: early-career positions range from $120,000–$250,000 annually; mid-career from $175,000–$362,500; senior-level from $250,000–$475,000, plus equity.

Next Steps

To apply, complete your application directly on this page, or you'll be redirected to the employer's application platform to finish submitting there.