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Kernel Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Anthropic

TPU Kernel Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

About the Role As a TPU Kernel Engineer, you'll be responsible for identifying and addressing performance issues across many different ML systems, including research, training, and inference. A ...

Apple

Kernel Scheduler Engineer, Core OS

Cupertino, CA

$147K - $272K/yr

The team focuses on key kernel technology areas such as CPU scheduling, power management, and threading models which are central to delivering industry-leading performance and battery life. We are ...

Kernel (yc S25)

Backend Engineer

San Francisco, CA

$1.0K/wk

Kernel Backend Engineer Kernel is crazy fast, open source browser infrastructure for AI agents. We handle autoscaling, observability, and the messy details of web interaction, so developers can focus ...

Aptiv PLC

System Engineer - OS Kernel

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

$100K - $135K/yr

System Engineer - OS Kernel Location: Walnut Creek, CA ABOUT WIND RIVER Wind River is a global leader in delivering software for mission-critical intelligent systems. For more than four decades, the ...

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All JobsKernel JobsKernel Jobs in California

Kernel information

See California salary details

$90.1K

$152.2K

$224.7K

How much do kernel jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for kernel in California is $152,233.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,299.00 and $165,979.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Kernel Engineer?

Kernel Engineers typically spend their days designing, implementing, and maintaining low-level components of an operating system’s kernel, such as device drivers, process schedulers, or memory management subsystems. They often review and refactor code, troubleshoot and resolve bugs, and collaborate closely with hardware engineers, application developers, and QA teams. Participation in code reviews and contributing to open source communities or internal repositories are also common activities. This role requires staying up to date with the latest kernel developments and ensuring code changes are performant and stable, directly impacting the reliability and efficiency of the broader system.

What is a Kernel job?

A Kernel job typically refers to a role focused on developing, maintaining, or optimizing an operating system's kernel—the core component that manages system resources, hardware interaction, and process scheduling. Kernel developers work with low-level programming languages like C and Assembly to improve system performance, security, and stability. These roles often involve debugging kernel crashes, implementing new features, and collaborating with hardware and software teams to ensure seamless integration.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Kernel position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Kernel Engineer, you need strong expertise in operating system fundamentals, C/C++ programming, and kernel module development, often supported by a degree in computer science or equivalent experience. Familiarity with Linux kernel source code, debugging tools like GDB, and version control systems such as Git is essential. Analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and effective communication distinguish outstanding professionals in this field. These skills are crucial for maintaining system stability, ensuring high performance, and collaborating on complex, low-level software projects.

What cities in California are hiring for Kernel jobs? Cities in California with the most Kernel job openings:
Kernel jobs near you
Infographic showing various Kernel job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $152,233 per year, or $73.2 per hour.

Senior Linux Kernel Engineer - 'Linux Kernels'

ph7

San Jose, CA

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Company Description

A Network Processor Company

Job Description
San Jose, CA, United States

Job Description:
Responsibilities include the design and development of Linux and simple executive (bare metal) device drivers which involves:

  • Adding support for OCTEON III Processor (48 64-bit CPUs, 100Gbps traffic handling.
  • Virtualization support (NUMA, etc).
  • Projects on current generation OCTEONs (OCTEON, OCTEON Plus and OCTEON II).

 

Qualifications

Required:

  • BS with 7 -12 years of relevant experience.
  • Should have experience adding support for new HW platforms and devices to the Linux kernel.
  • Detailed knowledge of Linux kernel internals and device drivers.
  • Ability to work with low level HW and debug issues using kernel debuggers and EJTAG probes.
  • Familiar with at least one processor assembly language (MIPS, ARM, x86 or Power PC).
  • 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 development a huge plus.

Apply