The Engineering and Certification Manager reports to the executive director and takes a leadership role in managing and growing the FSF’s Respects Your Freedom (RYF) program. This role will work in close collaboration with FSF management and the technology and licensing teams. The Engineering and Certification Manager serves as a senior technical authority for the organization and is responsible for evaluating, certifying, and guiding hardware product submissions under the RYF certification requirements and other free hardware design initiatives.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• 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; and
• Performing additional tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Candidate profile

This role is intended for someone with approximately 7 to 10 years of relevant professional experience and a strong technical background. Deep hands-on proficiency in reverse engineering, firmware analysis, or low-level systems work is essential. The ideal candidate is comfortable working independently, managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders, enjoys explaining technical ideas clearly in writing and in conversation, and is willing to engage publicly on behalf of the organization.

The ideal Engineering and Certification Manager is someone who understands how hardware systems actually behave in the real world. They have spent time examining devices beyond marketing claims: tracing the boot process, inspecting firmware, and identifying where user freedoms are limited or hindered. They are comfortable working with incomplete information and understand how to ask the right technical questions to evaluate whether the full software stack remains under the user’s control.

Core technical and program stewardship skills

Practical experience with, and understanding of:

• hardware architecture and systems;
• firmware and boot processes;
• reverse-engineering and analysis;
• 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; and
• ability to assess whether product software is buildable and/or reproducible using only free software tools:

Location and working environment

The FSF is a fully remote organization. With our small staff, each person makes a clear contribution. We work hard but offer a humane work environment; existing staff get the first chance at any new job openings.

Salary and benefits

This exempt, union position has a salary fixed at $83,034/year. Other benefits include:

• flexible and remote working;
• full individual or family health coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts;
• subsidized dental plan;
  
• four weeks of paid vacation annually;
  
• seventeen paid holidays annually;
  
• public transit commuting cost reimbursement;
  
• 403(b) program through TIAA with employer match;
  
• yearly cost-of-living pay increases (based on government guidelines)*;
  
• healthcare expense reimbursement budget;
  
• ergonomic budget;
  
• conference travel and professional development opportunities; and
• potential for an annual performance bonus.

Application instructions

Applications must be submitted via email to hiring@fsf.org. The email must contain the subject line "Engineering and Certification Manager". A complete application should include:

• cover letter;
  
• resume; and
  
• three (3) samples of technical achievements in software development or hardware design. This could be code samples, hardware schematics, PCB designs, etc.

All materials must be in a free format (such as plain text, PDF, or OpenDocument). Email submissions that do not follow these instructions will probably be overlooked. No phone calls, please.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To guarantee consideration, please submit your application by April 17, 2026.

The FSF is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or application for employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex, pregnancy, age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other legally protected status recognized by federal, state, or local law. We value diversity in our workplace.

About the Free Software Foundation

The Free Software Foundation, founded in 1985, is dedicated to promoting computer users' right to use, study, copy, modify, and redistribute computer programs. The FSF promotes the development and use of free (as in freedom) software--particularly the GNU operating system and its GNU/Linux variants--and free documentation for free software. The FSF also helps to spread awareness of the ethical and political issues of freedom in the use of software, and its websites, located at and , are an important source of information about GNU/Linux. Donations to support the FSF's work can be made at https://donate.fsf.org.