Senior OS/Kernel Engineer
| Hours | Full-time |
|---|---|
| Location | San Jose, CA San Jose, California open_in_new |
About this job
Job Description
About NIO
NIO Inc. is a pioneer and a leading company in the global smart electric vehicle market. Founded in November 2014, NIO aspires to shape a sustainable and brighter future with the mission of “Blue Sky Coming”.
NIO envisions itself as a user enterprise where innovative technology meets experience excellence. NIO designs, develops, manufactures and sells smart electric vehicles, driving innovations in next-generation core technologies. NIO distinguishes itself through continuous technological breakthroughs and innovations, exceptional products and services, and a community for shared growth.
NIO provides premium smart electric vehicles under the NIO brand, premium smart electric vehicles for families through the ONVO brand, and small smart high-end electric cars with the FIREFLY brand.
- Prototype and evaluate advanced systems software concepts, including kernels, file systems, drivers, and networking, to improve system performance, safety, and dependability.
- Design, implement, and optimize critical low-level system components to fulfill strict real-time performance and safety goals.
- Contribute to the long-term systems software architecture and help guide technical decisions within the smart EV infrastructure.
- Collaborate closely with broader engineering teams to transition prototypes and advanced concepts into highly reliable, production-ready deployments.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related fields.
- Strong background and hands-on experience in operating system internals, virtualization, or system security.
- Solid understanding of computer hardware architecture, with practical experience in at least one of the following: x86, Arm, or RISC-V.
- Proficiency in C, assembly, and/or Rust. Proven ability to navigate, debug, and improve complex, low-level codebases.
- Strong troubleshooting skills to diagnose and resolve complex system-level performance, memory, and stability issues.
- Ability to work independently on ambiguous technical problems while remaining a strong, communicative team collaborator.
- Master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
- Familiarity with the latest academic research in systems (e.g., papers from SOSP, OSDI, ASPLOS) and a track record of applying these concepts to solve industry problems.
- Experience modifying, extending, or building core system software components (such as custom kernel modules, hypervisors, real-time operating systems (RTOS), or network stacks).
- Exposure to microkernel architectures or automotive/safety-critical operating systems.
- Familiarity with formal verification methods or automotive safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262).
Along with competitive pay, as a full-time NIO employee, you are eligible for the following benefits on the first day you join NIO:
Anthem Blue Cross, HSA, and Kaiser HMO medical plans with $0 for Employee Only Coverage.
Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plan. Both provide options with a $0 paycheck contribution covering you and your eligible dependents.
Company Paid HSA (Health Savings Account) Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Anthem Blue Cross medical plan
Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
401(k) with Brokerage Link option
Company paid Basic Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Sick and Vacation time
13 Paid Holidays a year
Paid Parental Leave for first 8 weeks at full pay (eligible after 90 days of employment with NIO)
Paid Disability Leave for first 6 weeks at full pay (eligible after 90 days of employment with NIO)
Voluntary benefits including: Voluntary Life and AD&D options for you, your spouse/domestic partner and dependent child(ren), pet insurance
Commuter benefits
Mobile Cell Phone Credit
Free lunch and snacks
Onsite gym
Employee discounts and perks program
Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only. It does not include discretionary bonus, equity, or benefits.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.