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Kernel Maintenance Engineer Ubuntu Linux Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lereta

Linux Systems Engineer

Pomona, CA · On-site

Key Responsibilities * Linux engineering: Design, harden, and maintain RHEL/Ubuntu systems ... Implement metrics/logging; profile and tune kernel/app performance; root-cause analysis for ...

TekSynap

Linux OS Engineer

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

... patching and kernel updates with maintenance windows and rollback plans; validate health post ... Ubuntu administration, system services, and package managers (dnf/yum/apt) • Hands-on with ...

Nvidia

OR · On-site

Drive Linux bring-up and continuous enablement for DGX Station on DGX OS / Ubuntu, including kernel ... Create and maintain platform documentation for DGX Station on Windows and Linux: bring-up guides ...

Qualcomm

Staff Software Engineer - Linux

San Diego, CA · On-site

... Ubuntu, RHEL/Fedora). The position bridges silicon and firmware enablement with modern open-source ... Advanced Linux experience with the ability to debug complex issues spanning kernel, boot, and ...

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All JobsKernel Maintenance Engineer Ubuntu Linux Jobs

Kernel Maintenance Engineer Ubuntu Linux information

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$11K

$114.5K

$129.5K

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

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for kernel maintenance engineer ubuntu linux in the United States is $114,500.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,000.00 and $125,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Kernel Maintenance Engineer Ubuntu Linux vs Linux System Administrator?

AspectKernel Maintenance Engineer Ubuntu LinuxLinux System Administrator
Primary FocusKernel development, maintenance, and troubleshooting specific to Ubuntu LinuxManaging overall Linux system operations, user support, and system configuration
Skills & CertificationsLinux kernel expertise, C programming, Linux certifications (e.g., LPIC-3, RHCE)System administration, network management, scripting, Linux certifications
Work EnvironmentDevelopment labs, technical support, kernel debugging environmentsData centers, enterprise IT environments, server rooms
Employer & Industry UsageOpen-source projects, Linux distributions, hardware vendorsIT departments, hosting providers, enterprise companies

While both roles require Linux knowledge, Kernel Maintenance Engineers focus on the Linux kernel itself, especially within Ubuntu Linux, whereas Linux System Administrators handle broader system management tasks across Linux environments.

What is a Kernel Maintenance Engineer in Ubuntu Linux?

A Kernel Maintenance Engineer in Ubuntu Linux is responsible for maintaining, updating, and improving the Linux kernel used in Ubuntu distributions. Their duties include backporting security fixes, optimizing kernel performance, ensuring compatibility with new hardware, and collaborating with the open-source community. They also work on troubleshooting kernel-related issues, preparing kernel updates, and supporting Ubuntu's release cycles. This role is vital to keeping Ubuntu stable, secure, and efficient for all users.

What are some common challenges faced by Kernel Maintenance Engineers working with Ubuntu Linux, and how can they be addressed?

Kernel Maintenance Engineers for Ubuntu Linux often encounter complex challenges such as resolving compatibility issues between kernel updates and different hardware or software configurations. Additionally, keeping up with upstream kernel changes while maintaining Ubuntu-specific patches requires strong attention to detail and effective communication with both internal teams and the open-source community. Collaboration across distributed teams and responding quickly to security vulnerabilities are also vital aspects of the role. Building robust testing infrastructures and actively participating in code reviews and community discussions help address these challenges and ensure kernel reliability.

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

To thrive as a Kernel Maintenance Engineer for Ubuntu Linux, you need a deep understanding of Linux kernel internals, C programming, debugging, and patch management, usually supported by a degree in computer science or related experience. Familiarity with tools like Git, build systems (e.g., Make), continuous integration platforms, and experience with Ubuntu packaging and kernel development processes is crucial. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you collaborate with global teams and manage complex issues. These technical and soft skills ensure the stability, security, and performance of Ubuntu Linux distributions relied upon by users worldwide.
More about Kernel Maintenance Engineer Ubuntu Linux jobs
What job categories do people searching Kernel Maintenance Engineer Ubuntu Linux jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Kernel Maintenance Engineer Ubuntu Linux jobs are:
Kernel Maintenance Engineer Ubuntu Linux jobs near you
Infographic showing various Kernel Maintenance Engineer Ubuntu Linux job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 61% Full Time, 38% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,500 per year, or $55 per hour.
Linux Systems Engineer

Linux Systems Engineer

Lereta

Pomona, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

LERETA rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

164th of 426 rated business services

Job description

LERETA is seeking a Linux Systems Engineer to support and enhance our enterprise infrastructure environments. The role is responsible for the design, implementation, and ongoing support of Linux-based systems across both cloud and on-premise platforms. The ideal candidate will have strong technical expertise, a disciplined approach to system reliability and security, and the ability to collaborate effectively across technical teams.
Key Responsibilities
  • Linux engineering: Design, harden, and maintain RHEL/Ubuntu systems; implement HA/DR strategies and patching standards.
  • Networking troubleshooting: Diagnose issues across OSI/TCP/IP layers (DNS/DHCP, routing, VLANs, firewalls, SSL/TLS/certs).
  • Load balancing & traffic management: Deploy, configure, and tune F5 BIG-IP (LTM/GTM, iRules) and HAProxy for L4-L7 services.
  • Azure infrastructure: Build and secure IaaS/PaaS (VMs, VNets, NSGs, UDRs, Azure Load Balancer, Azure Firewall, Storage).
  • Tooling & automation: Develop utilities/services in C* and Python*; integrate with CI; create health checks and runbooks.
  • Observability & performance: Implement metrics/logging; profile and tune kernel/app performance; root-cause analysis for incidents.
  • Security & compliance: System hardening (SELinux, auditd), secrets management, least-privilege/IAM alignment, vulnerability remediation.
  • Collaboration: Partner with App/Network/SecOps teams; document architectures/runbooks; contribute to post-mortems and RCA.

Core Competencies:
  • Expertise in designing, hardening, and maintaining Linux systems (RHEL/Ubuntu) in production environments, with a focus on system security, performance optimization, and high availability
  • Strong hands-on experience in building, securing, and supporting cloud infrastructures across IaaS and PaaS environments, particularly within Microsoft Azure, including virtual machines, networking, storage, and security
  • In-depth understanding of networking protocols and troubleshooting at all OSI/TCP/IP layers. Expertise in diagnosing and resolving issues related to DNS/DHCP, routing, VLANs, firewalls, and SSL/TLS
  • Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment (with App/Network/SecOps teams) to document architectures, create runbooks, and contribute to post-mortems and root cause analysis for incidents

Education and Experience:
  • 10+ years in Linux systems engineering/administration in production environments
  • Experience designing, building, and supporting mission-critical infrastructure across Azure and on-prem environments
  • Experience writing C and Python for systems tooling, performance, or networking use cases
  • Hands-on experience designing, deploying, and tuning F5 BIG-IP and HAProxy
  • Strong networking fundamentals and troubleshooting (TCP/IP, routing, DNS, SSL/TLS)
  • Practical experience building and supporting Azure infrastructure (compute, networking, storage)
  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field
  • Equivalent experience in Linux systems engineering, cloud infrastructure, and networking may be considered in place of formal education

Salary range: $95,9471 - $127,000.00
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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