Senior Systems Software Engineer – Android Power Management

About

This Senior systems software engineering role focuses on system-level power characterization, measurement, and optimization for Android-based platforms. You will work at the intersection of Android internals, the Linux kernel, and hardware power labs to improve power efficiency, battery life, and thermal behavior across complex embedded systems. The position is ideal for engineers who thrive in hands-on environments and enjoy solving challenging system-level power problems spanning firmware, kernel, framework, and thermal management layers.

Responsibilities

• Perform end-to-end Android system-level power characterization across idle, active, peak, and thermal-limited scenarios.
• Set up, configure, and operate power measurement equipment, including bench power supplies, power analyzers, and oscilloscopes, for embedded and mobile platforms.
• Execute hands-on power measurements and collect electrical data in hardware power labs.
• Analyze battery life, peak power consumption, and thermal behavior at the system level, correlating electrical measurements with Android and Linux kernel traces.
• Tune and optimize the Android power stack across framework, HAL, and kernel layers, including PowerManager, wakelocks, and related components.
• Configure and refine Thermal HAL and thermal policies to balance performance, power, and device temperature.
• Optimize CPU and GPU frequency scaling, governors, suspend and resume behavior, and idle states to improve power efficiency.
• Debug complex power issues across Android framework, HAL layers (Power, Thermal, Sensor), Linux kernel, and device drivers.
• Trace issues across software layers and into hardware behavior to identify root causes and implement robust fixes.
• Leverage Qualcomm internal measurement platforms to perform detailed system-level power characterization and tuning.
• Collaborate closely with hardware, firmware, and platform engineering teams to align software optimizations with board-level and SoC-level power capabilities.
• Interpret PCB schematics and embedded firmware behavior as part of system-level power analysis and optimization.
• Use Android and Linux debugging tools such as ADB, dumpsys, logs, traces, and kernel instrumentation to investigate power and thermal issues.
• Communicate findings, trade-offs, and recommendations clearly to cross-functional partners and influence platform-level decisions.
• Drive continuous improvements in power efficiency, battery life, and thermal stability through experimentation and data-driven decision making.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of experience in Android system software, embedded Linux, or system-level software development.
• Proficiency in C and C++ across kernel and user space for Android and Linux-based systems.
• Proven experience performing end-to-end Android power characterization across idle, active, peak, and thermal-limited scenarios.
• Ability to analyze battery life, peak power, and thermal behavior at the system level.
• Hands-on experience using bench power supplies, power analyzers, and oscilloscopes for embedded or mobile systems.
• Experience correlating electrical measurements with software activity, system states, and Android or Linux kernel traces.
• Deep expertise in Android power management, including tuning and debugging PowerManager, wakelocks, and related mechanisms.
• Strong knowledge of Thermal HAL and thermal policies, including configuration and tuning for power and thermal balance.
• Experience with CPU and GPU frequency scaling, governors, suspend and resume behavior, and idle states in Android and Linux.
• Strong cross-layer debugging skills spanning Android framework, HAL layers (Power, Thermal, Sensor), Linux kernel, and device drivers.
• Experience with Qualcomm-based platforms, including platform bring-up, power optimization, and tuning.
• Expertise using Android and Linux debugging tools such as ADB, dumpsys, logs, traces, and kernel instrumentation.
• Demonstrated ability to correlate software traces with physical power measurements.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root-cause investigation skills.
• Clear technical communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Embedded Systems, or a related field.
• Experience working with embedded firmware and understanding its impact on system-level power behavior.
• Familiarity with PCB schematics and board-level design considerations relevant to power and thermal characteristics.
• Background in SoC architecture and power systems for mobile or embedded platforms.
• Interest in continuous learning across Android internals, embedded Linux, SoC architecture, and power systems.
• Ability to operate with high technical autonomy while taking ownership of complex system-level problems.

Work Environment

You will work in an engineering-driven, problem-solving focused environment that values deep technical expertise and hands-on experimentation. The role combines lab-based work with extensive software debugging, giving you direct ownership of real power measurements rather than relying solely on software metrics. You will collaborate closely with hardware, firmware, and platform engineers and have high visibility into platform-level decisions. The culture emphasizes ownership, experimentation, and data-driven decision making, with strong support for continuous learning across Android, embedded Linux, SoC architecture, and power systems. Work may be on-site or hybrid, depending on lab access needs and the requirements of power measurement equipment and hardware collaboration.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Bellevue, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $160000.00 - $180000.00/yr.

• 17 vacation days per year
• 5 sick days per year
• medical, dental, vision
• The company does an annual trip that is similar to our contest trip except the company doesn't cover significant others. However, the employee can fly their significant other in prior to the strip starting or after the trip concludes to extend their stay.
• They also have a chance to earn a "bonus" based on what they bill to the client

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Bellevue,WA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Apr 30, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.