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Freelance Linux Kernel Developer Jobs in Austin, TX

Senior Platform Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$103K - $142K/yr

... as the Linux kernel or other high-profile projects Education/Qualifications BA/BS or MA/MS degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science or Computer Engineering We may use artificial ...

Senior Platform Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$103K - $142K/yr

... as the Linux kernel or other high-profile projects Education/Qualifications BA/BS or MA/MS degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science or Computer Engineering We may use artificial ...

Embedded Software Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$134K - $215K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our ... Develop and maintain Linux kernel drivers for Jetson-based platforms, supporting Ethernet NICs, USB ...

Embedded Software Enginner

Austin, TX · On-site

$130K - $171K/yr

Major electronics systems design company is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer with Linux ALSA kernel device driver experience. In this position you will be responsible for defining and leading ...

Embedded Software Engineer

Austin, TX

$130K - $171K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our ... Develop and maintain Linux kernel drivers for Jetson-based platforms, supporting Ethernet NICs, USB ...

Embedded Software Enginner

Austin, TX

$130K - $171K/yr

Major electronics systems design company is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer with Linux ALSA kernel device driver experience. In this position you will be responsible for defining and leading ...

Embedded Software Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$134K - $215K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our ... Develop and maintain Linux kernel drivers for Jetson-based platforms, supporting Ethernet NICs, USB ...

Embedded Software Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$130K - $171K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our ... Develop and maintain Linux kernel drivers for Jetson-based platforms, supporting Ethernet NICs, USB ...

Senior Platform Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$121K - $160K/yr

Confluera is seeking a Senior Platform Engineer to develop and maintain a software platform that ... Linux kernel or other high-profile projects Company : Confluera provides security platform ...

Staff Embedded/Firmware Engineer 1

Austin, TX · On-site

$100K - $137K/yr

... Linux Kernel, etc. • 5+ years of experience in Hardware bring-up, validation of all low-level ... in Engineering Notes This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and ...

... kernel - and drive resolution Contribute to CI/CD pipelines, revision control workflows, and ... CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices Experience with containerization and orchestration ...

Arista BIOS software engineers are also responsible for low level software driving the CPU ... Track ongoing developments in the Linux Kernel and identify features and functionality of interest ...

Arista BIOS software engineers are also responsible for low level software driving the CPU ... Track ongoing developments in the Linux Kernel and identify features and functionality of interest ...

Showing results 41-60

Freelance Linux Kernel Developer information

See Austin, TX salary details

$100.1K

$147.8K

$174.5K

How much do freelance linux kernel developer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance linux kernel developer in Austin, TX is $147,752.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $135,300.00 and $163,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Freelance Linux Kernel Developer vs Linux Device Driver Developer?

AspectFreelance Linux Kernel DeveloperLinux Device Driver Developer
CredentialsExperience with Linux kernel development, possibly certifications in Linux or C programmingSimilar credentials, often with specialized knowledge in device driver development
Work EnvironmentFreelance projects, remote work, client-based assignmentsIn-house or freelance, focused on hardware-specific driver development
Industry UsageTechnology companies, startups, open-source projectsHardware manufacturers, embedded systems, specialized tech firms
Search & Comparison IntentLooking for freelance Linux kernel work or collaborationSeeking expertise in developing or maintaining device drivers

The main difference is that a Freelance Linux Kernel Developer works on overall kernel development projects on a freelance basis, while a Linux Device Driver Developer specializes in creating and maintaining drivers for specific hardware components. Both roles require similar technical skills and credentials, but their focus areas and work environments differ.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance Linux kernel developers when working with diverse client codebases?

Freelance Linux Kernel Developers often work with a variety of client codebases, which can present challenges such as adapting to different kernel versions, understanding custom modifications, and ensuring compatibility with client-specific hardware. Navigating disparate documentation and collaborating remotely with in-house teams also requires strong communication and problem-solving skills. Staying up-to-date with upstream kernel changes and maintaining high code quality are essential to deliver reliable, maintainable solutions for each project.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance Linux kernel developer?

To thrive as a Freelance Linux Kernel Developer, you need deep expertise in C programming, operating systems concepts, and a strong understanding of Linux internals, often supported by a relevant computer science degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with version control systems (like Git), kernel debugging tools (such as GDB, perf), and contributing to open-source repositories is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, self-motivation, and clear written communication help developers stand out when collaborating remotely and engaging with the open-source community. These competencies are crucial for efficiently delivering robust kernel solutions and maintaining high standards in a distributed, collaborative environment.

What does a freelance Linux kernel developer do?

A Freelance Linux Kernel Developer specializes in writing, modifying, and maintaining the core of the Linux operating system, often for clients or companies on a project basis. Their responsibilities include debugging kernel code, developing new features, optimizing performance, and ensuring compatibility with hardware and software. Freelancers in this field work independently, offering their expertise to organizations that need custom Linux kernel solutions or support. They typically need strong programming skills in C, in-depth knowledge of operating systems, and experience with open-source collaboration.

What are popular job titles related to Freelance Linux Kernel Developer jobs in Austin, TX?

For Freelance Linux Kernel Developer jobs in Austin, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Freelance Linux Kernel Developer jobs in Austin, TX look for?

The top searched job categories for Freelance Linux Kernel Developer jobs in Austin, TX are:

What cities near Austin, TX are hiring for Freelance Linux Kernel Developer jobs?

Cities near Austin, TX with the most Freelance Linux Kernel Developer job openings:

Senior Platform Engineer

confluera

Austin, TX • On-site

$103K - $142K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

Senior Platform Engineer

Role Responsibilities

Develop and maintain a software platform that
Exposes Linux security instrumentation information
Processes and stores information into a database
Publishes information for consumption by a distributed system
Ensure all software has high unit test coverage, and works on multiple Linux platforms
Perform performance analysis on software, execute tuning, and calculate throughput

Job Requirements


Programming languages needed, in particular C, Go, or Bash
Strong understanding of the Linux operating system
Understanding of good security practices for system service processes
Design or software architecture experience
Understanding of software deployment, packaging and installation techniques
Understands the value of CI/CD and TDD, is able to write high-quality, tested code

Bonus Qualifications

Use of publish-subscribe technologies such as Kafka
Use of technologies such as Zookeeper or Consul
Has contributed upstream to Open Source projects such as the Linux kernel or other high-profile projects

Education/Qualifications

BA/BS or MA/MS degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science or Computer Engineering

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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