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Internship Linux Kernel Developer Jobs in San Jose, CA

In this role, you'll be improving and debugging the RISC-V Linux kernel, with particular focus on ... And you'll work with hardware architects and engineers, both inside SiFive and at RISC-V ...

In this role, you'll be improving and debugging the RISC-V Linux kernel, with particular focus on ... And you'll work with hardware architects and engineers, both inside SiFive and at RISC-V ...

Linux Kernel Architect

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$180 - $280/hr

In this role, you'll be improving and debugging the RISC-V Linux kernel, with particular focus on ... And you'll work with hardware architects and engineers, both inside SiFive and at RISC-V ...

JD Kernel - Developer Engineer Skill Linux, C, C++ Mandatory Board Bring Up Mandatory Kernel Mandatory BSP , Android HAL/HIDL Mandatory Kernel Driver - Development Mandatory Automated Unit Testing ...

JD Kernel - Developer Engineer Skill Linux, C, C++ Mandatory Board Bring Up Mandatory Kernel Mandatory BSP , Android HAL/HIDL Mandatory Kernel Driver - Development Mandatory Automated Unit Testing ...

Showing results 21-40

Internship Linux Kernel Developer information

See San Jose, CA salary details

$118.4K

$174.7K

$206.3K

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

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for internship linux kernel developer in San Jose, CA is $174,699.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $160,000.00 and $193,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an internship Linux Kernel Developer do?

An Internship Linux Kernel Developer assists in developing, testing, and maintaining components of the Linux kernel under the guidance of experienced engineers. Interns typically work on bug fixes, feature enhancements, or kernel module development while learning about low-level programming, operating systems, and open-source collaboration. This role provides hands-on experience with kernel code, debugging tools, and version control systems like Git, making it ideal for students interested in systems programming. Interns also contribute to documentation and may interact with the broader Linux development community.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an internship Linux Kernel Developer?

To thrive as an Internship Linux Kernel Developer, you need a solid understanding of C programming, operating systems concepts, and familiarity with Linux internals, often backed by coursework or personal projects. Experience with version control systems like Git and build tools such as Make, as well as knowledge of debugging tools like GDB, is typically required. Curiosity, attention to detail, and effective problem-solving and communication skills help interns stand out in collaborative kernel development environments. These skills are crucial for contributing reliable code, troubleshooting complex issues, and working effectively within the open-source community.

What kinds of projects or tasks can an internship Linux Kernel Developer expect to work on?

As an Internship Linux Kernel Developer, you can expect to work on tasks such as debugging kernel modules, contributing to open-source patches, and writing test cases for new kernel features. Interns often collaborate closely with experienced kernel developers to address real-world issues, review code, and participate in discussions about architectural improvements. These contributions help the team maintain the stability and performance of the Linux kernel, while also giving you practical experience with version control systems like Git and exposure to industry-standard development workflows.

What are the most commonly searched types of Linux Kernel Developer jobs in San Jose, CA?

The most popular types of Linux Kernel Developer jobs in San Jose, CA are:

What job categories do people searching Internship Linux Kernel Developer jobs in San Jose, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Internship Linux Kernel Developer jobs in San Jose, CA are:

What cities near San Jose, CA are hiring for Internship Linux Kernel Developer jobs?

Cities near San Jose, CA with the most Internship Linux Kernel Developer job openings:

Infographic showing various Internship Linux Kernel Developer job openings in San Jose, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 10% Internship, 62% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $174,699 per year, or $84 per hour.

Senior Software Engineer, Linux Kernel

Waymo

Mountain View, CA • On-site

$213K - $263K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago


Job description

Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company with the mission to be the world's most trusted driver. Since its start as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, Waymo has focused on building the Waymo Driver-The World's Most Experienced Driver™-to improve access to mobility while saving thousands of lives now lost to traffic crashes. The Waymo Driver powers Waymo's fully autonomous ride-hail service and can also be applied to a range of vehicle platforms and product use cases. The Waymo Driver has provided over ten million rider-only trips, enabled by its experience autonomously driving over 100 million miles on public roads and tens of billions in simulation across 15+ U.S. states.
Waymo Onboard Infrastructure is responsible for low-level software and infrastructure on various components of the Waymo self-driving system. The team's scope covers everything from low-level system software to high-bandwidth data logging, IPC (low-latency and high-throughput), performance analysis, and full-system debugging. We work with the Hardware, Compute, Sensor, Perception, Behavior and Machine Learning teams to build the most performant and low-latency self-driving solution in the industry.
In this role, you will work on the System Software Team. The System Software team owns the primary compute node of Waymo's on-vehicle compute platform - an integrated embedded system. You will write Linux Kernel drivers (including creating appropriate user-space APIs) to communicate with custom hardware (e.g. custom ASICs and FPGAs). If you enjoy building embedded systems using novel compute hardware and working with engineering teams that will be direct consumers of your work, you'll be a great fit for this role.
In this hybrid role, you will report to the Technical Lead Manager.
You will:
  • Work on a small team of System Software and Linux Kernel Engineers to develop system software components from early prototyping to production launch of driverless vehicles
  • Develop and test Linux Kernel device drivers and other components for high-performance embedded systems including custom ASICs and accelerators.
  • Work with a variety of engineering teams and SoC partners to take on ambiguous problems.

You have:
  • BA/BS degree in Computer Science, or relevant technical field or equivalent practical experience
  • Proficiency in C and C++
  • 5+ years of programming experience in an asynchronous environment with multiple processes, threads, timers, and interrupts
  • Experience with Linux kernel and device driver development
  • Working knowledge of hardware bring-up and debugging, including the ability to read schematics/datasheets and use common tools (oscilloscopes, multimeter, logic analyzers)

We prefer:
  • Experience with early-silicon development tools, e.g. emulators, simulators and FPGAs
  • Experience with common hardware protocols/interfaces (PCIe, Ethernet, or I2C)
  • Experience working with multiple types of industry partners (CM, ODM, OEM, or ISV)
  • Working knowledge of complex hardware-accelerated compute pipelines (GPUs, ML accelerators, image/data processors)
  • Experience with bootloaders or programming in a BIOS
  • Experience with building and maintaining testing infrastructure for OS and other low level code.
  • Experience with performing safe and robust software and firmware updates.

The expected base salary range for this full-time position across US locations is listed below. Actual starting pay will be based on job-related factors, including exact work location, experience, relevant training and education, and skill level. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the role location or, if the role can be performed remote, the specific salary range for your preferred location, during the hiring process.
Waymo employees are also eligible to participate in Waymo's discretionary annual bonus program, equity incentive plan, and generous Company benefits program, subject to eligibility requirements.
Salary Range
$213,000-$263,000 USD