1

Junior Linux Kernel Engineer Ubuntu Jobs in Renton, WA

We are looking for a Staff Engineer who is passionate about the Linux kernel. As a Staff Engineer at DigitalOcean, you will work as a high-level technical leader responsible for designing, optimizing ...

We are looking for a Staff Engineer who is passionate about the Linux kernel. As a Staff Engineer at DigitalOcean, you will work as a high-level technical leader responsible for designing, optimizing ...

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 ...

HPC Performance Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site +1

$165K - $242K/yr

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 ...

Embedded Linux Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$166K - $220K/yr

Experience with Linux kernel development * Experience with uboot, EDK2, platform firmware, etc ... Familiarity with functional programming paradigms * Experience with one or more of the following ...

Embedded Linux Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$166K - $220K/yr

Experience with Linux kernel development * Experience with uboot, EDK2, platform firmware, etc ... Familiarity with functional programming paradigms * Experience with one or more of the following ...

... junior engineers - Proficiency in design and analysis of algorithms and data structures - In-depth knowledge of TCP/IP - Kernel or embedded development, particularly Linux kernel - Scripting (Ruby ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Junior Linux Kernel Engineer Ubuntu information

See Renton, WA salary details

$37.7K

$80.8K

$123.2K

How much do junior linux kernel engineer ubuntu jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior linux kernel engineer ubuntu in Renton, WA is $80,762.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,600.00 and $90,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Junior Linux Kernel Engineer Ubuntu job?

A Junior Linux Kernel Engineer Ubuntu job involves working on the Linux kernel, specifically for Ubuntu and related Canonical projects. Responsibilities typically include debugging kernel issues, maintaining patches, optimizing performance, and contributing to upstream kernel development. Junior engineers collaborate with senior developers, test new kernel features, and ensure hardware compatibility. Strong knowledge of C programming, kernel internals, and debugging tools like GDB and perf is essential. This role provides a foundation for growth in open-source development and low-level system engineering.

What are some common challenges faced by Junior Linux Kernel Engineers working with Ubuntu?

One common challenge for Junior Linux Kernel Engineers on Ubuntu is quickly understanding the complex and evolving codebase while adhering to Ubuntu's specific kernel customization and integration practices. New engineers often spend significant time learning to troubleshoot bugs, navigate documentation, and contribute effectively within established development workflows. Collaboration with senior engineers, participation in code reviews, and clear communication are integral to overcoming these hurdles and growing technically. Over time, junior engineers build deeper expertise and can take on larger projects and increased responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Junior Linux Kernel Engineer Ubuntu position, and why are they important?

A Junior Linux Kernel Engineer Ubuntu should possess a solid understanding of C programming, Linux operating systems, and basic kernel architecture, often backed by a relevant computer science degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, building and debugging tools, and certifications such as LFCS or CompTIA Linux+ are advantageous. Strong problem-solving abilities, eagerness to learn, and effective communication skills help junior engineers excel in collaborative environments. These capabilities are essential for contributing safely and efficiently to kernel development and troubleshooting in a fast-evolving ecosystem like Ubuntu.

What job categories do people searching Junior Linux Kernel Engineer Ubuntu jobs in Renton, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Junior Linux Kernel Engineer Ubuntu jobs in Renton, WA are:
What cities near Renton, WA are hiring for Junior Linux Kernel Engineer Ubuntu jobs? Cities near Renton, WA with the most Junior Linux Kernel Engineer Ubuntu job openings:
Infographic showing various Junior Linux Kernel Engineer Ubuntu job openings in Renton, WA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 79% In-person, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,762 per year, or $38.8 per hour.

Staff Software Engineer, Kernel

DigitalOcean

Seattle, WA • Hybrid

$191K - $239K/yr

Other

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

We are looking for a Staff Engineer who is passionate about the Linux kernel. 

As a Staff Engineer at DigitalOcean, you will work as a high-level technical leader responsible for designing, optimizing, and maintaining Linux kernels for our compute and GPU fleets. You will optimize and enhance core system performance, resiliency, and security, ensuring our products consistently exceed customer expectations. You will bridge hardware and software, driving system-level architecture, debugging performance bottlenecks, and mentoring senior engineers.

What You'll Do:
  • Optimize kernels for performance and resiliency across the DigitalOcean fleet for storage, networking, and virtualization
  • Drive cross-functional engineering initiatives and influence hardware roadmaps without direct authority
  • Define low-level software architecture
  • Tune kernels for low latency, high throughput, and power efficiency
  • Diagnose and resolve issues in the kernel
  • Deliver critical kernel fixes and security mitigations with kernel live patches
  • Investigate and resolve virtual machine downtime and kernel issues in our production environment
  • Implement monitoring and alerting of key metrics to drive resiliency of compute infrastructure
  • Improve tooling and automation for testing and deployment of Linux kernels
  • Lead initiatives to enhance shared infrastructure, balancing performance optimization with rigorous security standards
  • Work cross-functionally to harness new performance capabilities from evolving hardware architectures
  • Participate in on-call rotations as needed to support system reliability
  • Work with Linux kernel community to push changes upstream
What You'll Add to DigitalOcean:
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, or Computer/Electrical Engineering or equivalent work experience
  • Experience maintaining Linux kernels for large-scale cloud infrastructure, with a deep understanding of operating system internals
  • Broad knowledge of the Linux kernel and kernel subsystems
  • Demonstrated experience with kernel patching and debugging
  • Debugging skills with Linux kernel and kernel drivers
  • Expertise in C/C++ programming and one or more scripting languages
  • Familiarity with compiler toolchains, build environments
  • Experience with Linux virtualization using KVM, QEMU
  • General understanding of Linux kernel security mechanisms and common security concepts
  • Familiarity with x86_64 and/or ARM architectures
  • Experience contributing patches to the upstream Linux kernel community is highly preferred
  • Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems at scale
  • Excellent cross-team collaboration and communication skills
  • Professional-level written and spoken English with strong presentation abilities
Compensation Range: 
  • $191,200 - $239,000

*This is a hybrid role

JR: 2026-7920

#LI-Hybrid