Engineering and Certification Manager at the Free Software Foundation

The Free Software Foundation is dedicated to promoting computer users' rights regarding free software. The Engineering and Certification Manager will lead the RYF program, managing hardware product submissions and collaborating with various teams to ensure compliance with certification requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Developing technical and strategic direction for the RYF program and related initiatives
• Developing and maintaining key relationships with vendors, community members, and partner organizations to support responsible growth of the FSF
• Overseeing the RYF device submission queue, including conducting hands-on technical reviews and ensuring complete, well-documented certification decisions
• Representing the organization through clear technical communication, public engagement, and collaboration with FSF teams
• Performing additional tasks as assigned by the supervisor

Requirements:

• Approximately 7 to 10 years of relevant professional experience
• Strong technical background
• Deep hands-on proficiency in reverse engineering, firmware analysis, or low-level systems work
• Comfortable working independently
• Ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders
• Enjoys explaining technical ideas clearly in writing and in conversation
• Willing to engage publicly on behalf of the organization
• Understanding of how hardware systems actually behave in the real world
• Experience examining devices beyond marketing claims
• Ability to trace the boot process, inspect firmware, and identify where user freedoms are limited or hindered
• Comfortable working with incomplete information
• Understanding of how to ask the right technical questions to evaluate whether the full software stack remains under the user's control
• Practical experience with hardware architecture and systems
• Understanding of firmware and boot processes
• Experience in reverse-engineering and analysis
• Knowledge of free software principles and FSF licensing guidance
• Skill in managing a queue of issues and tasks without sacrificing technical depth
• Comfort coordinating across legal, licensing, and technical teams
• Ability to assess whether product software is buildable and/or reproducible using only free software tools