I run a low-level programming conference [0] with professionals who rely on C and C++ day-to-day or just low-level stuff in general.

While this is a plug, I genuinely believe joining the event and talking to them would help you. The networking / hallway effect, even virtually, shouldn't be underestimated either.

Good luck -- there's definitely lots of system software people needed, as someone else here pointed out.

[0] https://www.handmade-seattle.com