Android Framework Engineer

THE PROBLEM

As Flock expands our fleet of custom devices across thousands of communities, building headless operating systems that run continuously in the field requires extreme system-level reliability. Operating without standard UI components or app store frameworks means our hardware relies entirely on custom system services and low-level IPC architecture. You will engineer core system services, optimize device hardware abstractions, and build the custom Android framework powering our long-term field deployments.

WHAT YOU'LL OWN

• Architect and implement custom Android system services, AIDL interfaces, and hardware abstractions for headless AOSP builds.

• Build testable system-level features using Kotlin, Java, Rust, and C++ to interface directly between the kernel and application layer.

• Diagnose complex OS-level memory leaks, concurrency deadlocks, and performance bottlenecks using tools like Perfetto and Android Profiler.

• Develop automated CTS and VTS test suites, unit tests, and system update pipelines to maintain fleet reliability over the air.

• Conduct root-cause analysis on system tombstones, bug reports, and kernel logs across custom Qualcomm-based hardware platforms.

WHAT THIS ROLE IS NOT

• This isn't a mobile app development role, you won't write UI code, manage Fragments, or deploy applications to the Google Play Store.

• This is not a high-level application scripting job, you will spend your time in the AOSP stack writing AIDL interfaces, system services, and low-level IPC frameworks.

• This isn't a desktop simulation position, you will debug live code running on physical, headless camera hardware in real-world deployment states.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Practical experience designing versioned service interfaces using AIDL or HIDL to expose hardware functionality to system applications.

• Proficiency in Kotlin and Java with strong knowledge of OS threading concepts, coroutines, synchronization, and memory management.

• Experience building or debugging custom AOSP environments, shell scripts, init.rc configurations, and SE Linux security policies.

• Capability to trace execution flow across different layers of the Android stack using tools like Perfetto, tracing utilities, and tombstone logs.

• Experience with C or C++, Linux kernel drivers, or Qualcomm camera stacks is a plus.

COMPENSATION

In this role, you'll receive a starting salary between $130,000 and $160,000 as well as Flock Stock Options. Base salary is determined by job-related experience, education/training, as well as market indicators. Your recruiter will discuss this in depth with you during our first chat.

WHY FLOCK

Every community deserves to be safe. Flock builds the technology that makes that real: last year we supported over 1 million criminal investigations and helped locate more than 10,000 missing people. We're 1,700 people building the impossible with over $1B in funding, and the expectations are high on purpose. If you want a role where the stakes are real and the pace matches, this is it.

Some problems get solved faster in the same room, so we prioritize candidates in Atlanta and Boston. Hub-based roles mean real in-person time with your coworkers. Remote roles exist, and when a posting is open to remote work, it says so.

Building the impossible takes every kind of mind. Flock is an equal opportunity employer, and we know the best solutions come from diverse perspectives, experiences, and skills working together with mutual respect. Everyone is welcome to apply. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, email recruiting@flocksafety.com; your information stays confidential and is used only to arrange the right accommodation for your interviews.

On compensation: we pay fairly for the work. Base salary is determined by job-related experience, education, training, and market indicators. The range in this posting covers base salary only and doesn't include equity, sales bonus plans where applicable, or benefits. The range may be adjusted over time, and this posting may span more than one career level.

One last thing: all legitimate communication from Flock comes from an email ending in @flocksafety.com http://flocksafety.com or noreply@ashbyhq.com. We never make offers through messaging apps or third parties, and we never request payment or sensitive personal information during hiring. If you encounter suspicious outreach about a Flock role, report it to recruiting@flocksafety.com.