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Junior Linux Kernel Engineer Jobs in Redmond, WA

DigitalOcean

Staff Software Engineer, Kernel

Seattle, WA · Hybrid

$191K - $239K/yr

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 ...

DigitalOcean

Staff Software Engineer, Kernel

Seattle, WA · On-site

$191K - $239K/yr

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 ...

Anduril Industries

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 ...

Anduril Industries

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 ...

Amazon

Software Dev Engineer, EC2 Nitro

Seattle, WA · On-site

... 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 ...

CoreWeave

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 ...

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Junior Linux Kernel Engineer information

See Redmond, WA salary details

$37.5K

$80.4K

$122.6K

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

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior linux kernel engineer in Redmond, WA is $80,412.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,300.00 and $89,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Junior Linux Kernel Engineer do?

A Junior Linux Kernel Engineer assists in developing, maintaining, and debugging the Linux kernel, which is the core part of the Linux operating system. Their responsibilities often include writing and testing kernel modules, fixing bugs, and contributing to kernel updates under the guidance of senior engineers. They may also help in troubleshooting hardware compatibility and optimizing system performance. This role often requires strong programming skills in C and familiarity with Linux systems and tools.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Junior Linux Kernel Engineer, and why are they important?

A Junior Linux Kernel Engineer should have a solid understanding of C programming, operating system fundamentals, and computer architecture, typically supported by a relevant degree in computer science or engineering. Familiarity with Linux kernel development tools like Git, GCC, GDB, and patch submission processes, as well as knowledge of version control and debugging tools, is essential. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help in diagnosing issues and collaborating with senior engineers and open-source communities. These competencies are crucial for ensuring reliable kernel contributions, learning from experienced developers, and maintaining code quality in a complex technical environment.

What are some typical challenges a Junior Linux Kernel Engineer might face in their first year on the job?

As a Junior Linux Kernel Engineer, you may encounter challenges such as understanding the vast and complex architecture of the Linux kernel, navigating extensive codebases, and adhering to strict coding and documentation standards. Collaborating with more experienced engineers and participating in open-source communities can be both rewarding and daunting, as it often requires clear communication and constructive feedback. Additionally, you'll likely spend time debugging low-level system issues and learning to use specialized development tools, all of which are essential for building your expertise and confidence in the role.
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Junior Linux Kernel Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Junior Linux Kernel Engineer job openings in Redmond, WA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,412 per year, or $38.7 per hour.
Staff Software Engineer, Kernel

Staff Software Engineer, Kernel

DigitalOcean

Seattle, WA • Hybrid

$191K - $239K/yr

Other

Posted 3 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

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