This might be the perfect role for you if you are excited by:
- Digging into the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), the Linux Kernel, and low-level APIs to dial in great custom hardware experiences and features.
- Being one of the first people to get access to early prototypes and test units of new hardware.
- Having input on the CPU, memory, and other specs that will be included.
- Building a product that our customers genuinely love because it solves real, everyday problems for busy families and those with neurodivergent kids (the ADHD and Autism communities are among our biggest fans).
If so, read on!
Skylight’s mission is to build the OS of the family. We make consumer products, like Skylight Frame and Skylight Calendar, that are loved by millions of people across the globe. Through a singular focus on care for our customers, Skylight has scaled from a school project to over $180M in annual revenue while being completely bootstrapped. We have a huge opportunity to make family life easier and more connected, and that’s why we have been working hard to expand our team.
At Skylight, our engineering team is small but mighty — our software powers an experience for millions of customers. We've built a healthy, bootstrapped, and profitable business, and are scaling our Engineering team to better support our growth, improve our technical infrastructure, and continue to expand the feature set for customers.
This is a Senior or higher-level position.
Our ideal candidate is a deeply experienced AOSP Engineer with an expert-level command of the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) and its internals. They should be proficient in Java and Kotlin, with professional experience in low-level development using C. They are experienced in navigating AOSP and implementing robust Android solutions for custom hardware. Experience working with Jetpack Compose is nice to have, but not required.
Responsibilities
You will be directly responsible for all aspects of our AOSP and platform engineering:
- Customize and maintain our proprietary AOSP fork.
- Collaborate with ODMs/manufacturers to integrate and validate their AOSP patches, Board Support Packages (BSP), and Hardware Abstraction Layers (HAL).
- Design and implement features that require a deep understanding of Android internals (e.g., PackageManager, ActivityManager, WindowManager).
- Implement and debug complex inter-process communication using AIDL/Binder interfaces.
- Develop and debug the Linux kernel and device drivers for our custom hardware.
- Perform low-level device debugging (e.g., using UART, JTAG).
- Implement and maintain robust OTA (Over-the-Air) system image update workflows.
- Conduct system performance profiling and optimization (e.g., using systrace, perfetto) across the entire software stack, from kernel to SDKs.
- Collaborate closely with product management, hardware, and other engineering teams on technical requirements and seamless hardware/software integration.
- Create and maintain detailed documentation related to AOSP and low-level system development.
- Assist in project management for AOSP development, ensuring timely delivery.
- Provide technical support for system-level and AOSP-related issues internally and externally.
- Stay updated with the latest trends and best practices in AOSP and Android platform engineering.
- Communicate regularly and clearly with stakeholders about progress and challenges.
Requirements
- 6+ years of professional experience in AOSP platform development
- Expert-level command of AOSP internals (PackageManager, ActivityManager, etc.)
- Proven experience customizing and maintaining an AOSP fork
- Strong proficiency in Java/Kotlin and professional experience in C
- Hands-on Linux kernel development and low-level debugging
- Experience implementing AIDL/Binder interfaces
- Solid understanding of OTA system image updates and release management
- Experience with system performance profiling tools (systrace, perfetto)
Bonus Skills
- Experience with Jetpack Compose
- Familiarity with Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth APIs (connectivity, pairing flows)
- Experience with CI/CD automation and source control (AWS CodeBuild, CodeCommit)
- Low-level debugging with UART/JTAG
Benefits
Our competitive compensation package includes:
- Competitive Salary + Equity Package
- 401K matching
- Wellness, learning, and home-office budgets
- Health, Dental & Vision Medical Plans
- Tremendous autonomy to set the direction of your work
- Unlimited PTO
- Company holidays on the first Friday of every month
Equal opportunity employer
Skylight is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. If you’re the best person for the job, we want you on board!
We hire across the U.S., but for legal reasons, we have to list NY and CO separately.
For Colorado-based candidates, the range being offered for this role is $180K-200K based on experience and for California-based candidates, the range being offered for this role is $180-200K based on experience. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider employment for qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of this law.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Originally posted on Himalayas