Behind the code — Life of a Linux developer

Image stabilization, privacy masking, interfaces, and ensuring a smooth connection to the cloud — it’s all in a day’s work for an embedded Linux developer. To discover more, we chatted to Sara Garmark and Martin Löwegren, two engineering managers at the heart of Linux development at Axis.

Linux + Axis OS

“The possibilities for developers are endless — there really is something for everyone,” says Martin, reflecting on the scope of Linux opportunities at Axis. At the heart of all these roles is Axis OS, our custom-built operating system based on the Linux kernel. As an embedded Linux system, it runs directly on our devices and is optimized for real-time performance. This powerful foundation drives everything from our network cameras and audio products to our body-worn solutions, ensuring seamless performance and reliability.

What to expect as a Linux developer at Axis

Linux developers play a vital role across the company’s product and solution offering — in security, analytics, audio, imaging, and more. Together, they shape and strengthen the Axis ecosystem. Sara and Martin give us a snapshot of just some of the tasks their teams are responsible for.

“My team has several functions, all vital for keeping our products running smoothly,” says Sara. “We handle things like image stabilization, barrel distortion correction (correcting geometrical distortions caused by the camera optics), stitching (producing a one-camera experience for multi-sensor panorama cameras), and text and image overlays. We’re also responsible for privacy masking, both static and dynamic, making sure sensitive details like faces or license plates can be hidden if required.”

Martin’s team is dedicated to body worn cameras — wearable products often used by the police and security personnel. “We work higher up in the stack than Sara’s team,” Martin says. “We build on Axis OS and create a solution where devices are managed in a system or add features such as stream data from cameras to the cloud or automatically start recording if an office falls to the ground. My team includes C, Rust, and Go developers, plus front-end developers who design the customer-facing interfaces.”

Collaboration creates results

One thing both Sara and Martin emphasize is collaboration within their own teams, across teams, and with other departments. “We’re very collaborative, and much of our work happens across teams,” says Sara. “By joining forces with other teams, we can reach results much faster and find the best technical solution for our customers.”

Martin agrees, “Developing a body-worn camera requires many competencies, from hardware and low-level firmware development for drivers and image tuning, to user space software that integrates the camera into the solution. Collaboration between teams is essential for our success. For example, by reusing functionality from Axis OS, my team can focus on the parts where we differentiate ourselves.”

“We have this great initiative in many of our teams, Inspiration Fridays, where you get time to experiment, try something new, and explore without pressure.”

Sara Garmark, Engineering Manager

From graduate to pro — Growing with Axis

Whether you’re just starting out or already experienced, Axis offers room to grow. “As a young professional, this is a great place to be,” says Martin. “We mentor and support each other, and you get to work across the full stack.”

Sara adds, “We also run a lot of thesis projects. They’re fantastic for exploring new innovations, and many candidates end up joining us as employees afterwards. Oh, and we have this great initiative in many of our teams, Inspiration Fridays, where you get time to experiment, try something new, and explore without pressure.”

If you join Axis with a lot of experience, there are also many opportunities to develop — you have the freedom to shape your career how you want. Sara explains, “There are many opportunities to move between teams depending on what you want to focus on, or change roles to, for example, a management position instead of hands-on development.”

Why work at Axis?

For Martin, a major reason is that everyone truly lives and breathes the company values. “At Axis, you really feel that the core values are the norm and part of the everyday work, not just buzzwords. We really do act as one, helping each other out, discussing problems, and sharing knowledge.”

For Sara, it’s about knowing how impactful her team’s work is. “My team works with Axis own Artpec chips, the secret sauce in most of our products. We’re at the center of everything, and that’s really exciting.”

What we’re looking for

So, what makes a great Linux developer at Axis? “You need to love programming, of course,” Martin says with a smile. “But just as important are problem-solving skills, curiosity, communication, and a willingness to learn.”

Sara adds, “We give our engineers both responsibility and freedom. That’s why we’re looking for people who can think independently, but who also thrive as part of a team.”

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Want to join the team? Check out our open positions!