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Junior Linux Kernel Engineer Jobs in Seattle, WA

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 ...

Lead the engineering team through all phases of the software development lifecycle, including ... Lead the design, development, and support of Linux Kernel and driver components, focusing on system ...

Sr. Mobile Engineer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$150K - $188K/yr

Hi, We required Senior Mobile Engineer. These are direct hire permanent jobs with full benefits. If ... Should haveExperience with Linux kernel-space a plus * Should have Experience with networking ...

Sr. Software Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$248K - $348K/yr

Develop and maintain Linux kernel modules and device drivers to support custom hardware and ... Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or related STEM discipline, or 10+ ...

Proficiency with Linux kernel and middleware development on ARM architecture. * Experience with ... MS or BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, and ...

Sr. Software Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$248K - $348K/yr

Develop and maintain Linux kernel modules and device drivers to support custom hardware and ... Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or related STEM discipline, or 10+ ...

Proficiency with Linux kernel and middleware development on ARM architecture. * Experience with ... MS or BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, and ...

Showing results 21-40

Junior Linux Kernel Engineer information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$38.1K

$81.7K

$124.6K

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.

What are popular job titles related to Junior Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA?

For Junior Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Junior Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Junior Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA are:

What cities near Seattle, WA are hiring for Junior Linux Kernel Engineer jobs?

Cities near Seattle, WA with the most Junior Linux Kernel Engineer job openings:

Member of Technical Staff - Compute Infrastructure

Seattle, WA • On-site

SpaceXAI
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago


SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 152 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

18th of 72 rated aerospace companies


Job description

Job Summary:
xAI is dedicated to creating AI systems that enhance humanity's understanding of the universe. The role involves owning and optimizing GPU supercomputers and the platform layer for training and inference, requiring a blend of low-level systems programming and high-scale infrastructure work.
Responsibilities:
• Design, build, and optimize massive GPU clusters for extreme-scale training and inference workloads
• Develop and tune low-level CUDA kernels (GeMM, Attention, etc.), using CUTLASS, Tensor Cores, and Nsight for maximum performance
• Work on Linux kernel internals, scheduling, memory management, and resource isolation at cluster scale
• Build custom container orchestration, virtualization layers (KVM, Firecracker, etc.), and distributed systems that go beyond standard Kubernetes
• Profile, debug, and eliminate bottlenecks across GPU memory hierarchy, networking fabric, filesystems, and multi-GPU operations
• Create and maintain infrastructure-as-code, automation, and tools that keep the entire supercomputer reliable and efficient
• Collaborate closely with AI research teams to deliver production-grade performance and scalability
Qualifications:
Required:
• Design, build, and optimize massive GPU clusters for extreme-scale training and inference workloads
• Develop and tune low-level CUDA kernels (GeMM, Attention, etc.), using CUTLASS, Tensor Cores, and Nsight for maximum performance
• Work on Linux kernel internals, scheduling, memory management, and resource isolation at cluster scale
• Build custom container orchestration, virtualization layers (KVM, Firecracker, etc.), and distributed systems that go beyond standard Kubernetes
• Profile, debug, and eliminate bottlenecks across GPU memory hierarchy, networking fabric, filesystems, and multi-GPU operations
• Create and maintain infrastructure-as-code, automation, and tools that keep the entire supercomputer reliable and efficient
• Collaborate closely with AI research teams to deliver production-grade performance and scalability
Preferred:
• Deep low-level systems programming (C/C++ or Rust)
• Experience building and operating high performance exabyte scale storage systems
• Strong experience with large-scale GPU clusters or distributed compute infrastructure at production scale
• Hands-on work with GPU kernel optimization (CUTLASS, custom kernels, Nsight profiling)
• Experience with Linux kernel internals, scheduling, virtualization, or large-scale orchestration
• Track record of building or running high-performance infrastructure for AI workloads (training or inference platforms)
• Ability to reason from first principles and optimize for both memory-bound and compute-bound scenarios
Company:
SpaceXAI develops AI software and computational infrastructure designed for scientific discovery, automated reasoning, and data processing. It is a sub-organization of SpaceX. Founded in 2023, the company is headquartered in Palo Alto, USA, with a team of 1001-5000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

What SpaceX employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

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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