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Junior Linux Kernel Engineer Jobs in Seattle, WA

The Select Group

Senior Linux Engineer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

Senior Linux Engineer- Bellevue, Washington We are seeking an Embedded Linux Platform Engineer to ... Kernel, file system, and driver updates * Bootloader configuration and upgrades * Build and support ...

New

Socket.dev

Compute Runtime Software Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$80 - $100/hr

We're filling multiple roles on this team, both junior and senior. We're looking to add talented ... Linux containerization, Linux filesystems, Image distribution, Content storage, Kernel and ...

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 ...

Apex Informatics

Software Engineer V

Redmond, WA · On-site

... Linux kernel customization • Experience with Android or Linux performance tools and security models • Former Meta experience is a plus (having worked on product teams or on devices in Reality ...

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Junior Linux Kernel Engineer information

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$38.1K

$81.7K

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

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior linux kernel engineer in Seattle, WA is $81,710.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,200.00 and $91,000.00 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 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.

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.

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Junior Linux Kernel Engineer jobs near you

Software Engineer - Linux Kernel (C++, C)

SpaceXAI

Seattle, WA • On-site

$180K - $440K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 4 days ago

SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 152 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

16th of 72 rated aerospace companies

Job description

SpaceXAI's mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity. We operate with a flat organizational structure. All employees are expected to be hands-on and to contribute directly to the company's mission. Leadership is given to those who show initiative and consistently deliver excellence. Work ethic and strong prioritization skills are important. All employees are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.

At SpaceXAI, we design, build, and operate the largest AI supercomputers in the world, from the ground up. As a member of the Platform Core team, you will be responsible for the lowest layers of the software stack on the devices setting the pace for how fast we can push the frontier of AI. Our team's software interfaces directly with the core hardware of the supercomputer and its network fabric. Our mission is to expose the full capability of that hardware — limited only by physics — to the rest of the stack, all while retaining the smallest, most robust footprint possible.
RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Build and maintain the lean, high-reliability Linux-based operating system that underpins our supercomputer network fabric.
  • Write (or rewrite) high-performance device drivers to extract the maximum physical capability from our network and compute hardware.
  • Manage deployment, operation, and debugging of our platform in production, including:
    • Rigorous resolution and root-causing of anomalies to ensure the system is constantly improving in reliability.
    • Developing and constantly improving our tools for observability and configuration management.
  • Collaborate with our hardware teams and external partners to design the next generation of supercomputer hardware – and then bring up our OS and software stack on it.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Hands-on systems programming experience in C or C++.
  • Strong operating systems fundamentals (scheduling, memory management, I/O) — you must be able to articulate in extreme detail how a computer works, from the hardware all the way up to high-level applications.
  • Understanding of computer networking, both in the host (OS stack) as well as common network devices like switches and routers.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Deep knowledge of the Linux kernel and its networking stack — transferable experience with another production-grade kernel is okay, too!
  • Proficiency with debugging tools spanning kernel, network, and userspace (e.g., ftrace, perf, Wireshark/tcpdump, eBPF, gdb, and more).
  • Experience bringing up new hardware from scratch — you have flashed bare-metal software on a microcontroller with JTAG, or bootstrapped a Linux kernel and rootfs on new hardware.
  • Demonstrated track record of developing and optimizing device/peripheral drivers — ideally for high-speed interfaces, or with advanced considerations like DMA and cache coherency.
  • Understanding of major peripheral hardware interface standards (Ethernet, PCIe, I2C, SPI, etc.) — you can critically review a schematic, and debug these interfaces if needed.
  • Experience with product security, OS/system hardening, and secure boot schemes.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

$180,000 - $440,000 USD

Base salary is just one part of our total rewards package at xAI, which also includes equity, comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and various other discounts and perks.

SpaceXAI is an equal opportunity employer. For details on data processing, view our Recruitment Privacy Notice.

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About SpaceX

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing, data services, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and satellite telecommunications

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hawthorne, CA, US

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