Consultant Embedded Linux & Debian Packaging

Context

A leading logistics company is building out the bbox platform, the next-generation embedded foundation for its rapidly growing parcel locker network. The current embedded architecture does not scale to meet the growth of the fleet, which today consists of a decentralized, heterogeneous mix of devices (Raspberry Pi, other ARM64, and x86).

The latest generation of lockers is based on AMD64 hardware and will run a customized Debian OS derived from a hardware vendor’s base image. This engagement focuses specifically on that AMD64 track: establishing a state-of-the-art, scalable embedded baseline for the bbox platform and enabling the company’s applications to be deployed, updated, and maintained on it reliably.

Missions

The consultant will be responsible for delivering the following:

• A flashable AMD64 image that combines the customized Debian OS (based on the vendor’s image) with the company’s applications pre-integrated.
• Debian packaging (.deb) of the company’s applications. Two Node.js applications are in scope; both are currently under active development and have not yet been packaged. The consultant is responsible for producing clean, maintainable .deb packages for both. The consultant may propose alternative packaging approaches if, based on their experience, these would better serve the project’s goals.
• APT-based update capability for the applications, distributed through an existing private APT repository. The repository infrastructure is already in place; the consultant integrates with it.
• Documentation of the image build process, packaging workflow, and update mechanism, sufficient for the internal team to operate and extend the solution independently.
• Knowledge transfer to the internal team at the end of the engagement.
• Critical review of the existing OS image practices: the consultant is expected to challenge the current approach and propose concrete improvements based on their experience.

Outside the immediate deliverable, the following topics are not part of the initial deliverables but the consultant is expected to provide advice and input on them during the engagement, and may be asked to deliver them in a later phase:

• Full remote OS upgrade capability.
• Support for ARM64 and Raspberry Pi devices.

Working Context

• Inputs provided to the consultant: the hardware vendor’s base OS image and accompanying vendor documentation, as well as documentation on how the existing images are constructed. The consultant may request any additional inputs they need, which the company will provide when available.
• Applications: two Node.js applications, similar in nature, both under active development by internal teams.
• Team setup: the consultant will work autonomously, interfacing with the internal team as needed for inputs, reviews, and knowledge transfer.
• Working language: English.
• Location: Hybrid. Hardware is located in Brussels and Mechelen; on-site presence at these locations is expected when required by the work.

Required Skills and Experience

• Strong hands-on experience with embedded Linux, specifically Debian-based systems.
• Proven experience building custom Debian OS images.
• Solid Debian packaging skills: building .deb packages, writing maintainer scripts, handling dependencies and versioning.
• Experience operating private APT repositories and integrating packages into an update flow.
• Comfortable with bash and systemd, writing and maintaining service units, boot integration, and system-level configuration.
• Experience setting up or integrating with CI/CD pipelines for image and package builds.
• Experience with Puppet, which is the system already in place for remote system management.
• Ability to produce clear technical documentation in English.

Nice-to-Have

• Familiarity with Node.js application deployment patterns (useful for packaging the two applications cleanly).
• Embedded Linux experience with non-Debian systems (e.g., Yocto or others).
• Prior work on ARM64 / Raspberry Pi embedded platforms (relevant for potential follow-on work).
• Experience with fleet / IoT device management at scale.
• Exposure to A/B OTA update mechanisms and secure boot concepts.
• Previous experience in the parcel locker or similar logistics-IoT domain.

1. Strong hands-on experience with embedded Linux, specifically Debian-based systems
2. Proven experience building custom Debian OS images
3. Solid Debian packaging skills: building .deb packages, writing maintainer scripts, handling dependencies and versioning
4. Experience operating private APT repositories and integrating packages into an update flow
5. Comfortable with bash and systemd, writing and maintaining service units, boot integration, and system-level configuration
6. Experience setting up or integrating with CI/CD pipelines for image and package builds
7. Experience with Puppet for remote system management
8. Ability to produce clear technical documentation in English
9. Familiarity with Node.js application deployment patterns (nice-to-have)
10. Embedded Linux experience with non-Debian systems (e.g. Yocto) (nice-to-have)
11. Prior work on ARM64 / Raspberry Pi embedded platforms (nice-to-have)
12. Experience with fleet / IoT device management at scale (nice-to-have)
13. Exposure to A/B OTA update mechanisms and secure boot concepts (nice-to-have)
14. Previous experience in the parcel locker or similar logistics-IoT domain (nice-to-have)