DensityAI is a company focused on AI technology, and they are seeking a Kernel Engineer to write and optimize compute kernels for a custom AI accelerator. The role involves collaborating with ...
DensityAI is a company focused on AI technology, and they are seeking a Kernel Engineer to write and optimize compute kernels for a custom AI accelerator. The role involves collaborating with ...
Linux Kernel Software Engineer
Santa Clara, CA · On-site
$123K - $191K/yr
Kernel software engineers are also responsible for the CPU subsystems on all Arista products. You will evaluate new CPUs and work with CPU vendors to integrate their kernel support into EOS. You will ...
Linux Kernel Software Engineer
Santa Clara, CA · On-site
$123K - $191K/yr
Kernel software engineers are also responsible for the CPU subsystems on all Arista products. You will evaluate new CPUs and work with CPU vendors to integrate their kernel support into EOS. You will ...
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They are seeking a Senior Linux Kernel SW Engineer to join their server software and solutions engineering team, where the role involves enabling AMD x86-64 architecture features in Linux and ...
Linux Kernel SW Engineer
Austin, TX · On-site
They are seeking a Senior Linux Kernel SW Engineer to join their server software and solutions engineering team, where the role involves enabling AMD x86-64 architecture features in Linux and ...
Systems Engineer, Kernel
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CoreWeave is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Systems Kernel Engineer to join our HAVOCK Team, reporting into the Manager of Systems Engineering. In this role, you will be a key contributor to ...
Quick apply
Systems Engineer, Kernel
$165K - $242K/yr
CoreWeave is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Systems Kernel Engineer to join our HAVOCK Team, reporting into the Manager of Systems Engineering. In this role, you will be a key contributor to ...
Systems Engineer, Kernel
Livingston, NJ · On-site
$165K - $242K/yr
CoreWeave is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Systems Kernel Engineer to join our HAVOCK Team, reporting into the Manager of Systems Engineering. In this role, you will be a key contributor to ...
Systems Engineer, Kernel
Livingston, NJ · On-site
$165K - $242K/yr
CoreWeave is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Systems Kernel Engineer to join our HAVOCK Team, reporting into the Manager of Systems Engineering. In this role, you will be a key contributor to ...
Description As a Kernel Engineer on the Scheduler team, you will drive the evolution of the XNU kernel to support the expanding capabilities of Apple Silicon. You will work on the heart of the ...
Description As a Kernel Engineer on the Scheduler team, you will drive the evolution of the XNU kernel to support the expanding capabilities of Apple Silicon. You will work on the heart of the ...
Linux Kernel SW Engineer
Austin, TX · On-site
$101K/yr
AMD's server software and solutions engineering team is seeking a senior engineer to join the Linux Kernel and Virtualization development team. This role requires good understanding x86 architecture ...
Linux Kernel SW Engineer
Austin, TX · On-site
$101K/yr
AMD's server software and solutions engineering team is seeking a senior engineer to join the Linux Kernel and Virtualization development team. This role requires good understanding x86 architecture ...
GPU Kernel Engineer
San Francisco, CA · On-site
$180K - $280K/yr
About the role We're looking for a GPU kernel engineer with deep, low-level CUDA expertise to make our training and inference faster and more efficient. You'll write and optimize custom kernels ...
GPU Kernel Engineer
San Francisco, CA · On-site
$180K - $280K/yr
About the role We're looking for a GPU kernel engineer with deep, low-level CUDA expertise to make our training and inference faster and more efficient. You'll write and optimize custom kernels ...
Linux Kernel SW Engineer
Austin, TX · Hybrid
AMD's server software and solutions engineering team is seeking a senior engineer to join the Linux Kernel and Virtualization development team. This role requires good understanding x86 architecture ...
Linux Kernel SW Engineer
Austin, TX · Hybrid
AMD's server software and solutions engineering team is seeking a senior engineer to join the Linux Kernel and Virtualization development team. This role requires good understanding x86 architecture ...
You will tackle the most complex kernel problems while mentoring and growing the engineers around you to deliver production-ready infrastructure at scale. What You'll Be Working On: * Virtualization ...
New
Quick apply
You will tackle the most complex kernel problems while mentoring and growing the engineers around you to deliver production-ready infrastructure at scale. What You'll Be Working On: * Virtualization ...
New
You'll work closely with the architecture and compiler teams to define the kernel programming model, implement core tensor operations, and drive the performance profiling workflow that validates ...
You'll work closely with the architecture and compiler teams to define the kernel programming model, implement core tensor operations, and drive the performance profiling workflow that validates ...
They are seeking a Founding GPU Kernel Engineer who will optimize GPU kernels for machine learning workloads and develop automated compiler passes to enhance performance across various GPU ...
They are seeking a Founding GPU Kernel Engineer who will optimize GPU kernels for machine learning workloads and develop automated compiler passes to enhance performance across various GPU ...
Kernel Engineer (Compute / Accelerator)
$260K - $320K/yr
You'll work closely with the architecture and compiler teams to define the kernel programming model, implement core tensor operations, and drive the performance profiling workflow that validates ...
Quick apply
Kernel Engineer (Compute / Accelerator)
$260K - $320K/yr
You'll work closely with the architecture and compiler teams to define the kernel programming model, implement core tensor operations, and drive the performance profiling workflow that validates ...
Senior OS/Kernel Engineer
$143K - $186K/yr
About the Position We are seeking a senior OS / kernel engineer to join our SkyOS team. The team is responsible for the design and development of NIO's full-domain vehicle operating systems. The ...
Senior OS/Kernel Engineer
$143K - $186K/yr
About the Position We are seeking a senior OS / kernel engineer to join our SkyOS team. The team is responsible for the design and development of NIO's full-domain vehicle operating systems. The ...
Kernel Engineer (Compute / Accelerator)
Mountain View, CA · On-site
$260K - $320K/yr
You'll work closely with the architecture and compiler teams to define the kernel programming model, implement core tensor operations, and drive the performance profiling workflow that validates ...
Kernel Engineer (Compute / Accelerator)
Mountain View, CA · On-site
$260K - $320K/yr
You'll work closely with the architecture and compiler teams to define the kernel programming model, implement core tensor operations, and drive the performance profiling workflow that validates ...
Senior OS/Kernel Engineer
San Jose, CA · On-site
$143K - $186K/yr
About the Position We are seeking a senior OS / kernel engineer to join our SkyOS team. The team is responsible for the design and development of NIO's full-domain vehicle operating systems. The ...
Senior OS/Kernel Engineer
San Jose, CA · On-site
$143K - $186K/yr
About the Position We are seeking a senior OS / kernel engineer to join our SkyOS team. The team is responsible for the design and development of NIO's full-domain vehicle operating systems. The ...
Senior OS/Kernel Engineer
San Jose, CA · On-site
$122K - $168K/yr
About the Position We are seeking a senior OS / kernel engineer to join our SkyOS team. The team is responsible for the design and development of NIO's full-domain vehicle operating systems. The ...
Quick apply
Senior OS/Kernel Engineer
San Jose, CA · On-site
$122K - $168K/yr
About the Position We are seeking a senior OS / kernel engineer to join our SkyOS team. The team is responsible for the design and development of NIO's full-domain vehicle operating systems. The ...
You will tackle the most complex kernel problems while mentoring and growing the engineers around you to deliver production-ready infrastructure at scale. What You'll Be Working On: * Virtualization ...
New
Quick apply
You will tackle the most complex kernel problems while mentoring and growing the engineers around you to deliver production-ready infrastructure at scale. What You'll Be Working On: * Virtualization ...
New
Outstanding programming skills in C. * Should have the ability to prepare and submit patches to the Linux kernel mainline. * A history of participation in Linux kernel mailing lists and open source ...
Outstanding programming skills in C. * Should have the ability to prepare and submit patches to the Linux kernel mainline. * A history of participation in Linux kernel mailing lists and open source ...
Kernel & OS Engineering: Serve as the SME for Linux kernel customization. Install, configure, and maintain system hardware/software across RHEL 7-10 environments. * Infrastructure Management: Design ...
Kernel & OS Engineering: Serve as the SME for Linux kernel customization. Install, configure, and maintain system hardware/software across RHEL 7-10 environments. * Infrastructure Management: Design ...
Kernel Engineer information
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a kernel engineer, and why are they important?
To thrive as a Kernel Engineer, you need deep expertise in C programming, operating system concepts, and low-level hardware interactions, typically supported by a degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with version control systems (like Git), debugging tools (such as GDB), and kernel development frameworks is crucial. Problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication are standout soft skills in this role. These skills enable the creation of reliable, efficient, and secure kernels that form the backbone of computing systems.
What is the difference between Kernel Engineer vs Device Driver Developer?
| Aspect | Kernel Engineer | Device Driver Developer |
|---|---|---|
| Required Credentials | Bachelor's or higher in Computer Science, Linux/Unix knowledge, programming skills in C/C++ | Similar credentials, often with specialized knowledge in hardware and driver development |
| Work Environment | System-level development, kernel code, Linux/Unix environments | Hardware interaction, driver coding, embedded or OS-specific environments |
| Industry Usage | Operating system development, open-source projects, hardware manufacturers | Hardware companies, embedded systems, OS vendors |
| Common Search/Comparison | Kernel Engineer | Device Driver Developer |
Kernel Engineers focus on developing and maintaining the core kernel of operating systems, ensuring system stability and performance. Device Driver Developers specialize in creating software that allows hardware components to communicate with the OS. While both roles require similar technical skills and often overlap, Kernel Engineers work on the entire kernel infrastructure, whereas Device Driver Developers concentrate on specific hardware interfaces.
What is a kernel engineer?
A Kernel Engineer is a software engineer who specializes in the development, maintenance, and optimization of operating system kernels, such as Linux or Windows. Their primary responsibilities include designing new kernel features, fixing bugs, improving performance, and ensuring compatibility with hardware. They often work closely with hardware manufacturers and other software developers to build stable and secure system foundations. Kernel Engineers must have a deep understanding of operating system internals, low-level programming (typically in C or C++), and computer architecture. This role is critical for maintaining and advancing the core components that allow computers and devices to function efficiently.
Are kernel engineers in demand?
Kernel engineers are in high demand due to the critical role they play in developing and maintaining operating system kernels, especially in areas like embedded systems, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. Companies seek professionals with expertise in C, C++, and Linux kernel development to improve system performance and security, making this a strong job market for qualified candidates.
What are some typical challenges kernel engineers face when working on operating system updates?
Kernel Engineers often encounter challenges related to maintaining system stability and compatibility when implementing updates or new features. Ensuring that changes do not introduce regressions or security vulnerabilities requires thorough testing and collaboration with QA and other engineering teams. Additionally, Kernel Engineers need to keep up-to-date with hardware advancements and support a wide range of devices, which can add complexity to their work. Effective communication and strong problem-solving skills are essential for navigating these challenges and delivering high-quality code.
More about Kernel Engineer jobs
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Cities with the most Kernel Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Kernel Engineer jobs?
States with the most job openings for Kernel Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Kernel Engineer jobs look for?
The top searched job categories for Kernel Engineer jobs are:
Full-time
Re-posted 13 days ago
Job description
Job Summary:
DensityAI is a company focused on AI technology, and they are seeking a Kernel Engineer to write and optimize compute kernels for a custom AI accelerator. The role involves collaborating with architecture and compiler teams to ensure high performance of ML workloads on hardware.
Responsibilities:
• Write and optimize compute kernels for a custom AI accelerator — tensor operations, data movement patterns, memory hierarchy exploitation
• Develop and maintain profiling infrastructure to measure kernel performance against architectural targets
• Define and document shuffle patterns for ML kernel primitives across CPU-like control, tensor cores, and CUTLASS-style operations
• Drive kernel DSL design decisions — thread spawn mechanisms, register passing conventions, and memory management strategies
• Enable end-to-end kernel execution on the architectural simulator
• Collaborate with the compiler team on the MLIR dialect — your kernels are the primary validation target
• Create onboarding documentation and kernel writing guides for the broader team
Qualifications:
Required:
• C/C++ — production-grade systems code, not scripted glue. You'll write performance-critical kernels.
• CUDA or equivalent accelerator programming — deep experience writing GPU kernels, understanding warp/wavefront execution, memory coalescing, shared memory optimization. The mental model transfers directly.
• Computer architecture — you need to reason about pipelines, memory hierarchies, data movement costs, and how software maps to hardware.
• Performance profiling and optimization — you live in profilers. Identifying bottlenecks, measuring throughput, and iterating until kernels meet targets is the core loop.
• Tensor operations — practical understanding of GEMM, convolution, attention, reduction, and scatter/gather as they map to hardware.
• Python — for scripting, DSL integration, and profiling automation.
Preferred:
• RISC-V, x86, or ARM64 ISA experience
• MLIR or LLVM compiler infrastructure
• HPC or scientific computing background (large-scale parallel compute intuition)
• FPGA or Verilog/SystemVerilog (ability to read RTL and reason about the hardware you're targeting)
• Familiarity with CUTLASS, Triton, or similar kernel libraries
Company:
DensityAI is an infrastructure for data centers serving automotive, robotics, and industrial applications Founded in 2025, the company is headquartered in Mountain View, USA, with a team of 51-200 employees. The company is currently Early Stage.
DensityAI is a company focused on AI technology, and they are seeking a Kernel Engineer to write and optimize compute kernels for a custom AI accelerator. The role involves collaborating with architecture and compiler teams to ensure high performance of ML workloads on hardware.
Responsibilities:
• Write and optimize compute kernels for a custom AI accelerator — tensor operations, data movement patterns, memory hierarchy exploitation
• Develop and maintain profiling infrastructure to measure kernel performance against architectural targets
• Define and document shuffle patterns for ML kernel primitives across CPU-like control, tensor cores, and CUTLASS-style operations
• Drive kernel DSL design decisions — thread spawn mechanisms, register passing conventions, and memory management strategies
• Enable end-to-end kernel execution on the architectural simulator
• Collaborate with the compiler team on the MLIR dialect — your kernels are the primary validation target
• Create onboarding documentation and kernel writing guides for the broader team
Qualifications:
Required:
• C/C++ — production-grade systems code, not scripted glue. You'll write performance-critical kernels.
• CUDA or equivalent accelerator programming — deep experience writing GPU kernels, understanding warp/wavefront execution, memory coalescing, shared memory optimization. The mental model transfers directly.
• Computer architecture — you need to reason about pipelines, memory hierarchies, data movement costs, and how software maps to hardware.
• Performance profiling and optimization — you live in profilers. Identifying bottlenecks, measuring throughput, and iterating until kernels meet targets is the core loop.
• Tensor operations — practical understanding of GEMM, convolution, attention, reduction, and scatter/gather as they map to hardware.
• Python — for scripting, DSL integration, and profiling automation.
Preferred:
• RISC-V, x86, or ARM64 ISA experience
• MLIR or LLVM compiler infrastructure
• HPC or scientific computing background (large-scale parallel compute intuition)
• FPGA or Verilog/SystemVerilog (ability to read RTL and reason about the hardware you're targeting)
• Familiarity with CUTLASS, Triton, or similar kernel libraries
Company:
DensityAI is an infrastructure for data centers serving automotive, robotics, and industrial applications Founded in 2025, the company is headquartered in Mountain View, USA, with a team of 51-200 employees. The company is currently Early Stage.