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Freelance Linux Kernel Developer Jobs in Manhattan, NY

Embedded Software Engineer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$133K - $160K/yr

You will be responsible for working with a team of engineers in the development and implementation ... Experience with Linux kernel and kernel module development and Linux driver development (wireless ...

Leading a team of HPC engineers \n * Promote and assist with migrations to new technologies to ... kernel modification \n * Server BIOS configuration and optimization \n * At least 10 years of ...

Establish and embed Linux-specific secure engineering principles, such as least privilege daemons, immutable configuration patterns, kernel hardening, and audit telemetry standards, into engineering ...

... developer would. (Compared with kernel development, the emphasis flips: you'd rarely develop the kernel itself, though targeted patches happen, and you'd spend far more time running production ...

Establish and embed Linux-specific secure engineering principles, such as least privilege daemons, immutable configuration patterns, kernel hardening, and audit telemetry standards, into engineering ...

... developer would. (Compared with kernel development, the emphasis flips: you'd rarely develop the kernel itself, though targeted patches happen, and you'd spend far more time running production ...

Establish and embed Linux-specific secure engineering principles, such as least privilege daemons, immutable configuration patterns, kernel hardening, and audit telemetry standards, into engineering ...

Linux Kernel (custom build), Ubuntu * Intel/AMD/ARM CPUs, Nvidia GPUs, DPUs, Infiniband and ... Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related ...

About the Position Linux Engineers work with the critical infrastructure underlying the rest of the ... On any given day, you could be debugging kernel performance, developing management tools, or ...

Showing results 21-40

Freelance Linux Kernel Developer information

See Manhattan, NY salary details

$111.5K

$164.5K

$194.2K

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

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance linux kernel developer in Manhattan, NY is $164,509.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $150,600.00 and $182,100.00 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 Manhattan, NY? For Freelance Linux Kernel Developer jobs in Manhattan, NY, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Linux Kernel Developer jobs in Manhattan, NY look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Linux Kernel Developer jobs in Manhattan, NY are:
What cities near Manhattan, NY are hiring for Freelance Linux Kernel Developer jobs? Cities near Manhattan, NY with the most Freelance Linux Kernel Developer job openings:
Infographic showing various Freelance Linux Kernel Developer job openings in Manhattan, NY as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 79% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 73% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 24% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $164,509 per year, or $79.1 per hour.

Senior Linux Systems Administrator/Remote

Apetan Consulting llc

Jersey City, NJ • Remote

$150/hr

Contractor

Re-posted 17 days ago


Job description

Job Description- Senior Linux Systems AdministratorLocation-RemoteJob Summary

We are seeking a Senior Linux Systems Administrator to manage, maintain, and optimize enterprise Linux environments. The ideal candidate will be responsible for system administration, performance tuning, automation, security, troubleshooting, and ensuring the reliability and availability of critical infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities
  • Install, configure, administer, and maintain Linux servers and operating systems.
  • Monitor system performance, availability, and capacity to ensure optimal operation.
  • Perform system upgrades, patching, and security hardening.
  • Manage user accounts, permissions, file systems, and access controls.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve hardware, software, networking, and operating system issues.
  • Implement and maintain backup, recovery, and disaster recovery solutions.
  • Automate administrative tasks using shell scripting, Python, or configuration management tools.
  • Manage virtualization and container platforms as required.
  • Support high-availability, clustering, and load-balancing environments.
  • Collaborate with application, network, cloud, and security teams.
  • Maintain system documentation, operational procedures, and technical standards.
  • Ensure compliance with security policies and industry best practices.
  • Participate in on-call support and incident response activities.
Required Skills & Experience
  • 5+ years of Linux system administration experience.
  • Strong experience with Linux distributions such as:
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
    • CentOS
    • Ubuntu
    • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES)
  • Strong knowledge of:
    • Linux kernel, processes, and system services
    • Networking protocols (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, SSH, NFS)
    • Storage management and file systems
    • System monitoring and performance tuning
  • Experience with scripting and automation using Bash, Shell, Python, or Perl.
  • Experience with configuration management tools such as Ansible, Puppet, or Chef.
  • Knowledge of virtualization technologies such as VMware, KVM, or Hyper-V.
  • Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, or containerized environments.
  • Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
  • Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP.
  • Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices.
  • Familiarity with monitoring tools such as Nagios, Zabbix, Prometheus, Grafana, or Splunk.
  • Experience with security hardening and compliance frameworks.