Operating System Design Manager

OS System Design Manager

The OS System Design Manager will lead the architecture and system design of core OS-level components across Linux, Android, Windows, and RTOS-based platforms, focusing on HAL, middleware, system services, and OS-level abstractions that enable consistent, scalable, and secure experiences across Lenovo and Motorola devices.

The preferred working locations are Chicago, IL or San Jose, CA.

• Lead system architecture and design across multi-OS environments (Linux, Android, Windows, RTOS), focusing on HAL and middleware layers.
• Define and evolve OS-level abstractions, system services, and framework-facing interfaces that deliver consistent capabilities across diverse device platforms.
• Drive integration of system components with vendor HALs, silicon-specific interfaces, and low-level drivers across multiple operating systems.
• Collaborate with AI, product, firmware, hardware, and platform teams to ensure scalable and unified system designs.
• Deliver platform solutions that meet stringent performance, reliability, latency, and power goals across various hardware architectures.
• Oversee technical execution including design reviews, system bring-up, debugging, and integration readiness for production platforms.
• Manage and grow a team of system engineers, fostering strong execution, technical depth, and platform expertise.
• Stay current with advances in OS architectures, HAL design patterns, system optimization approaches, and multi-OS best practices.

• 12+ years of hands-on engineering experience in OS-level software, system design, HAL, or middleware development across Linux, Android, Windows, or RTOS platforms.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering is required.
• 3+ years of people-management experience, leading platform or system engineering teams.
• Strong understanding of framework - system service - HAL - driver interactions across multiple operating systems.
• Proficiency in C/C++ for embedded and system-level development and familiarity with Java/Kotlin/C#/Rust as applicable to different OS environments.
• Proven experience delivering system-level components for consumer-grade devices (phones, tablets, PCs, IoT, embedded).
• Deep understanding of OS fundamentals including process models, memory management, IPC, scheduling, performance, power optimization, and system security.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams through system architecture decisions, cross-platform debugging, and production-quality delivery.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate product requirements into scalable multi-OS system architectures.

• Experience with HAL design, middleware frameworks, and system services across diverse OS platforms.
• Master’s Degree in Engineering is preferred.
• Background working with silicon vendors.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled system features, sensor frameworks, data-flow optimization, or on-device processing pipelines.
• Experience with updatable system components (Android APEX/Mainline, Linux modular packaging, Windows system modules).
• Strong problem-solving skills for cross-layer issues spanning frameworks, middleware, native daemons, HALs, and kernel interfaces.
• Passion for system design, OS architecture, and building clean, maintainable, and scalable system abstractions across heterogeneous platforms.

The base salary budgeted range for this position is $190K - $230K. Individuals may also be considered for bonus and/or commission.

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