Embedded Linux Kernel & MIPI Validation Engineer

Embedded Linux Kernel & MIPI Validation Engineer

San Jose, CA, USA

Full-Time

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled engineer with deep expertise in MIPI protocol validation, SoC bring-up, and Linux kernel driver development. The ideal candidate will have strong hands‑on experience working with display/camera interfaces, high‑speed PHYs, and system-level debugging on real hardware. This role requires working across hardware, firmware, and kernel layers to ensure robust interface performance and system stability.

Key Responsibilities

🔹 MIPI Protocol Validation

• Perform deep-dive validation of MIPI D‑PHY, C‑PHY, DSI‑2, and CSI‑2 protocols.
• Use oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers, and logic analyzers to verify:
• Packet formats and ECC/CRC validation
• HS/LP transitions and timing parameters
• Lane calibration, skew, and signal integrity
• Debug PHY issues involving voltage swing, termination, clocking, and synchronization.

🔹 Cross‑Platform Bring‑Up

• Lead initial power‑on, bootloader bring-up, and low‑level hardware initialization for new boards.
• Work across various SoC platforms to validate connectivity, pinmux, clocks, resets, and peripheral initialization.
• Conduct board‑level electrical checks and assist with hardware debugging.

🔹 Linux Kernel Development

• Develop, port, and optimize Linux kernel drivers in DRM/KMS (Display) or V4L2 (Camera).
• Debug kernel crashes, panel bring‑up issues, and synchronization errors.
• Work with kernel logs, traces, and low-level kernel subsystems.

🔹 Display & Camera Interface Management

• Implement and debug DSI Command Mode (DBI) and Video Mode (DPI) bring-up.
• Validate TE (Tearing Effect) synchronization and frame update behavior.
• Work with camera sensor initialization, link validation, and frame data integrity.

🔹 System Configuration & Debug

• Develop and maintain .dtsi / .dtbo device tree files for:
• Power sequencing
• Reset trees
• PLL and high‑speed clock configuration
• GPIO/pinmux definitions
• Troubleshoot system-level issues across hardware, kernel, and middleware layers.

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong understanding of MIPI D‑PHY, C‑PHY, DSI, CSI‑2 standards.
• Experience with oscilloscope probing, high-speed signal validation, and SI fundamentals.
• Proficiency in Linux kernel debugging, driver development, and board bring‑up.
• Hands-on experience with protocol analyzers, logic analyzers, and lab equipment.
• Ability to read schematics, PCB layouts, and debug electrical-level issues.
• Experience with display panels, camera sensors, or SoC multimedia subsystems.

Good to Have

• Experience with panel timing, display drivers, LED drivers, or imaging pipelines.
• Understanding of bootloaders (U-Boot), firmware initialization, or RTOS.
• Exposure to scripting (Python, Bash) for automation or test frameworks.
• Knowledge of signal integrity concepts (impedance, skew, jitter, eye diagram basics).