This contract position is based hybrid-onsite in either San Diego, CA or Branford, CT

Are you a Linux systems engineer who thrives at the intersection of low-level system configuration and real-world hardware deployment? We're working with an innovative laboratory instrument company looking for a contract software engineer to own the development and deployment of their Linux-based platform.

This is a hands-on technical role where your work directly impacts how instruments are built, updated, and maintained in the field.

What You'll Be Doing

• Develop and maintain Ubuntu-based OS images for instrument deployment, including atomic/system-level updates (image-based or A/B strategies)
• Implement reliable software update mechanisms with rollback and recovery capabilities
• Configure and harden Linux system services — systemd, boot configuration, filesystem layout, and permissions
• Build USB device handling workflows (detection, mounting, formatting)
• Configure and troubleshoot network file shares (NFS, SMB)
• Support production deployment workflows including imaging, provisioning, and field updates
• Integrate with JFrog Artifactory for OS image storage, distribution, and package management
• Debug complex issues across OS, filesystem, and hardware interfaces

What You Bring

• Strong Linux system administration experience (Ubuntu preferred)
• Hands-on experience building or customizing Linux OS images
• Familiarity with atomic update patterns (ABRoot, etc.)
• Experience with systemd, device management (udev), and USB workflows
• Knowledge of network file systems (NFS, SMB)
• Experience with JFrog Artifactory or similar artifact repositories
• Strong troubleshooting skills across OS and hardware layers
• Scripting proficiency in Bash and/or Python

Nice to Have

• Background in embedded or laboratory instrument systems
• Experience with field deployment or fleet management
• C#/.NET on Linux
• CI/CD pipelines for system images