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Kernel Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

stanleyreid

Reverse Engineer - FS Poly

Laurel, MD · On-site

... kernel and drivers -Experience with Linux kernel and drivers -Experience with malware analysis -Experience with vulnerability research and exploit development This role is located in Laurel, MD and ...

Apply Early

stanleyreid

Reverse Engineer - FS Poly

Laurel, MD · On-site

... kernel and drivers -Experience with Linux kernel and drivers -Experience with malware analysis -Experience with vulnerability research and exploit development This role is located in Laurel, MD and ...

stanleyreid

Reverse Engineer - FS Poly

Hanover, MD · On-site

... kernel and drivers -Experience with Linux kernel and drivers -Experience with malware analysis -Experience with vulnerability research and exploit development This role is located in Hanover, MD and ...

stanleyreid

Reverse Engineer - FS Poly

Hanover, MD

... kernel and drivers -Experience with Linux kernel and drivers -Experience with malware analysis -Experience with vulnerability research and exploit development This role is located in Hanover, MD and ...

Apply Early

Cellebrite

Sales Engineer, Federal

Tysons, VA · On-site +1

You must be able to "speak the language" of ARM assembly, kernel debugging, and zero-day exploitation to prove how our virtualization technology turns weeks of manual hardware-tinkering into hours of ...

Onyx Point, Inc.

Reverse Engineer 2

Hanover, MD · On-site

$78K - $250K/yr

Windows Kernel development experience * Windows Driver Development * Linux * Kernel Development / Driver Development * 75% focus SW RE * Malware Analysis * Vulnerability research and assessment

Onyx Point, Inc.

Reverse Engineer 2

Hanover, MD · On-site +1

$78K - $250K/yr

Kernel Development / Driver Development * 75% focus SW RE * Malware Analysis * Vulnerability research and assessment : Reflects cyber focus and familiaritywith the CNO professional ecosystem

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Kernel information

See Washington salary details

$98.8K

$166.9K

$246.4K

How much do kernel jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for kernel in Washington is $166,915.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $139,576.00 and $181,986.00 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 Washington are hiring for Kernel jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Kernel job openings:
Kernel jobs near you
Infographic showing various Kernel job openings in Washington as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $166,915 per year, or $80.2 per hour.
Senior Exploit Developer - DCART / Advanced Red Cyber

Senior Exploit Developer - DCART / Advanced Red Cyber

Beyond SOF

Fort Belvoir, VA • On-site

$61.75 - $81.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Location: "Hybrid in Arlington area"
Clearance: Active TS/SCI required
Travel: ~5%
The Mission
Design, build, and validate exploit and implant toolchains used in realistic adversary emulation. Your engineering work will enable red team operations that inform senior DoD mission-assurance decisions.
What You'll Do
  • Develop exploit code, in-memory loaders, kernel/userland persistence, and covert tooling.
  • Test and harden payloads to minimize detection by EDR/AV.
  • Integrate exploits into operational toolchains and assist operators during live assessments.
  • Produce technical annexes and concise executive/technical briefings.
Required
  • Active TS/SCI (U.S. citizen).
  • Proficient in C/C++, assembly, and Windows internals (kernel & Win32 APIs).
  • Demonstrated exploit development experience (memory corruption, ROP, bypass mitigations).
  • Ability to pass the DCART Senior Developer Aptitude Test (SDAT).
Preferred
  • Experience with C2 frameworks; Cobalt Strike experience is a plus (nice-to-have, not mandatory).
  • OSEP/OSEE/OSCP/GREM/GXPN or equivalent practical creds.
  • Experience building operational-grade implants and delivery pipelines.
Apply: cleared resume, 1-2 page technical write-up (no classified info), and readiness for SDAT.

Apply