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Hourly Linux Kernel Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Hetronic USA

Embedded Software Engineer

Southfield, MI · On-site

$120K - $158K/yr

... embedded Linux (Yocto/Buildroot) targets; contribute to device trees, kernel modules, and HALs ... Hourly employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Methode ...

Hetronic USA

Embedded Software Engineer

Oklahoma City, OK · On-site

$122K - $160K/yr

... embedded Linux (Yocto/Buildroot) targets; contribute to device trees, kernel modules, and HALs ... Hourly employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Methode ...

Nova Biomedical

Senior Software Engineer

Waltham, MA · Hybrid

$140K - $175K/yr

Developing application in C/C++ in Linux environment at user-space and kernel level * Develop and ... The provided salary range for this role represents the expected base salary or hourly rate for this ...

Panasonic

MTS II, Software Developer - IaaS

Beaverton, OR · On-site

$38.46 - $64.42/hr

OS & Kernel * Linux administration and internals (systemd, boot process, kernel tuning). * Custom ... Non-exempt hourly employees accrue 14 vacation days per year + 7 sick days + 3 personal days.

Nova Biomedical

Senior Software Engineer

Waltham, MA · On-site

$140K - $175K/yr

Developing application in C/C++ in Linux environment at user-space and kernel level * Develop and ... The provided salary range for this role represents the expected base salary or hourly rate for this ...

Nova Biomedical

Senior Software Engineer

Waltham, MA · Hybrid

$140K - $175K/yr

Developing application in C/C++ in Linux environment at user-space and kernel level * Develop and ... The provided salary range for this role represents the expected base salary or hourly rate for this ...

Panasonic

MTS IV, Software Engineer - IaaS

Beaverton, OR · On-site

$116K - $194K/yr

Linux administration and internals (systemd, boot process, kernel tuning) * Custom kernel config or ... Non-exempt hourly employees accrue 14 vacation days per year + 7 sick days + 3 personal days.

Panasonic

MTS II, Software

Irvine, CA · On-site

$39 - $64/hr

OS/Kernel configuration Linux/VxWorks (BSP) for various hardware architectures as well as verifying ... The hourly wage range of $39 - $64 is just one component of Panasonic's total package. The final ...

Panasonic Avionics Corporation

MTS II, Software

Irvine, CA · Hybrid

$39 - $64/hr

OS/Kernel configuration Linux/VxWorks (BSP) for various hardware architectures as well as verifying ... The hourly wage range of $39 - $64 is just one component of Panasonic's total package. The final ...

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Hourly Linux Kernel information

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$101K

$149.1K

$176K

How much do hourly linux kernel jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for hourly linux kernel in the United States is $149,062.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $136,500.00 and $165,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Hourly Linux Kernel vs Hourly Linux System Administrator?

AspectHourly Linux KernelHourly Linux System Administrator
Primary RoleDeveloping, maintaining, and optimizing the Linux kernelManaging, configuring, and supporting Linux systems
Required SkillsDeep knowledge of kernel architecture, C programming, debugging kernel issuesSystem setup, user management, scripting, troubleshooting
CertificationsNone specific; advanced Linux and kernel knowledge preferredCompTIA Linux+, LPIC, RHCE
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, development teams, open-source projectsData centers, enterprise IT departments, hosting providers

While both roles require Linux expertise, the Hourly Linux Kernel focuses on kernel development and low-level system work, whereas the Hourly Linux System Administrator manages and maintains Linux systems for organizations. They share some Linux knowledge but differ significantly in technical depth and responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Hourly Linux Kernel Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Hourly Linux Kernel Developer, you need deep knowledge of C programming, operating systems concepts, and experience with Linux kernel internals, often demonstrated by relevant degrees or contributions to open-source kernel projects. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, debugging tools such as GDB, and kernel build systems is typically required. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication are standout soft skills for collaborating with other developers and contributing to complex codebases. These skills ensure high-quality, maintainable kernel code and efficient teamwork in a specialized technical environment.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals in hourly Linux Kernel roles, and how can they be managed?

Professionals working hourly on Linux Kernel projects often encounter challenges such as troubleshooting complex system-level bugs, adapting to evolving kernel versions, and efficiently communicating with distributed teams. Managing these challenges requires strong problem-solving skills, familiarity with version control systems like Git, and active participation in open-source communities. Building collaborative relationships with other kernel contributors and maintaining clear documentation of your work can also help streamline development and ensure high-quality results.

What are Hourly Linux Kernel jobs?

Hourly Linux Kernel jobs are positions where experts work on the Linux kernel, usually for specific tasks or projects, and are paid based on the hours they work. These roles often involve tasks such as debugging, patching, optimizing, or adding features to the Linux kernel. Employers may hire hourly Linux kernel developers for short-term needs or ongoing maintenance. Such positions are common in organizations needing specialized kernel expertise without committing to full-time employment. The flexibility of hourly work allows both companies and developers to manage their time and resources efficiently.
More about Hourly Linux Kernel jobs
What cities are hiring for Hourly Linux Kernel jobs? Cities with the most Hourly Linux Kernel job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Linux Kernel jobs? The most popular types of Linux Kernel jobs are:
What states have the most Hourly Linux Kernel jobs? States with the most job openings for Hourly Linux Kernel jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Hourly Linux Kernel jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Hourly Linux Kernel jobs are:
Hourly Linux Kernel jobs near you
Infographic showing various Hourly Linux Kernel job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 9% Full Time, 79% Part Time, 10% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $149,062 per year, or $71.7 per hour.
Distributed Systems Engineer (L5 + L6), Compute Runtime

Distributed Systems Engineer (L5 + L6), Compute Runtime

Netflix

Remote

$499K - $900K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago

Netflix rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

57th of 65 rated media

Job description

At Netflix, our mission is to entertain the world. Together, we are writing the next episode - pushing the boundaries of storytelling, global fandom and making the unimaginable a reality. We are a dream team obsessed with the uncomfortable excitement of discovering what happens when you merge creativity, intuition and cutting-edge technology. Come be a part of what's next.
The Opportunity:
The Cloud Infrastructure Organization's mission is to increase the fleet-wide agility, scalability, reliability, and efficiency of our Platform. We are responsible for one of the largest Cloud Compute footprints built on AWS and constantly seeking to push boundaries through innovation to delight hundreds of millions of Netflix users daily.
We are seeking a passionate engineer to join the team responsible for developing and maintaining the software that runs on our compute fleet. The team owns the Kubernetes data plane software; the container runtime; the way we download and run containers; and maintaining the underlying compute node's operating system. The team is responsible for enabling containers to run on our compute nodes as efficiently and reliably as possible. The team partners with other teams within Netflix to ensure we are staying ahead of the needs of the business and enabling other teams to innovate on top of our platform.
You will be joining a team of stunning engineers who tackle some of the largest cloud compute challenges in the industry. You will have a direct line of sight between the work you do and the entertainment of our 300M+ members. This team provides the foundational infrastructure that drives almost all computing at Netflix. The infrastructure enables Netflix's website, video playback, video encoding work, AI/ML workloads, and numerous other business-critical functions. We free every engineer to have an impact in our "context, not control" culture and to directly contribute to the success of Netflix's business.
Some examples of the team's work can be found in tech blogs on "noisy neighbor" detection and mount lock contention.
What you will do:
  • Build and maintain the software that runs our Kubernetes container orchestration platform
  • Architect and design innovative solutions to support new workloads and features, and improve the reliability and performance of existing workloads
  • Develop and maintain Kubernetes and containerd customizations and plugins
  • Contribute to the upstream containerd and Kubernetes projects
  • Debug performance and operational problems observed with container workloads
  • Continuously and proactively increase efficiency and optimize our compute platform

What we are looking for:
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience evolving Compute infrastructure for a large organization; total 8+ years of software development experience
  • Experience supporting containers and related runtimes as a service (e.g. Kubernetes kubelet, containerd, runc, NRI plugins, etc.)
  • Experience debugging system performance issues in a Linux environment
  • Excellent operational and troubleshooting skills
  • Experience designing large-scale distributed systems, preferably a compute orchestration system like Kubernetes
  • Proficiency in Go, Java, or C/C++
  • Understanding of networking concepts (TCP, IPv4, sockets, host and service networking in a containerized environment)
  • Ability to thrive in ambiguity in a "context not control" environment while working with high velocity
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills

Additionally, while not required, the following experience is also helpful:
  • Track record of successful contributions to open source projects
  • Linux kernel development experience
  • Experience managing compute infrastructure for AI/ML workloads
  • Understanding of networking concepts (TCP, IPv4, sockets, host and service networking in a containerized environment)

Generally, our compensation structure consists solely of an annual salary; we do not have bonuses. You choose each year how much of your compensation you want in salary versus stock options. To determine your personal top of market compensation, we rely on market indicators and consider your specific job family, background, skills, and experience to determine your compensation in the market range. The range for this role is $499,000.00 - $900,000.00. This compensation range will vary based on location.
Netflix provides comprehensive benefits including Health Plans, Mental Health support, a 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer match, Stock Option Program, Disability Programs, Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts, Family-forming benefits, and Life and Serious Injury Benefits. We also offer paid leave of absence programs. Full-time hourly employees accrue 35 days annually for paid time off to be used for vacation, holidays, and sick paid time off. Full-time salaried employees are immediately entitled to flexible time off. See more details about our Benefits here.
Netflix is a unique culture and environment. Learn more here.
Inclusion is a Netflix value and we strive to host a meaningful interview experience for all candidates. If you want an accommodation/adjustment for a disability or any other reason during the hiring process, please send a request to your recruiting partner.
We are an equal-opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity builds stronger teams. We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.
Job is open for no less than 7 days and will be removed when the position is filled.

What Netflix employees say

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About Netflix

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with 222 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries, feature films and mobile games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

Industry

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Gatos, CA, US

Year founded

1997

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