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Kernel Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Legato, LLC

Windows CNO Developer (BZ)

Washington, DC · On-site

Design, develop, and maintain low-level kernel-mode components, drivers, and subsystems for Windows platforms. Perform reverse engineering of Windows binaries (both legitimate and malicious) to ...

REDLattice

Android CNO Developer

Chantilly, VA

$57 - $75/hr

Debug at kernel and user-space layers (gdb, LLDB, JNI, V8, Mojo) * Reverse engineer native binaries and Android system components * Work with kernel subsystems, OS internals, and mobile security ...

Legato, LLC

Windows CNO Developer (BZ)

Washington, DC · On-site

Design, develop, and maintain low-level kernel-mode components, drivers, and subsystems for Windows platforms.Perform reverse engineering of Windows binaries (both legitimate and malicious) to ...

REDLattice

Android CNO Developer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$57.50 - $75.75/hr

Debug at kernel and user-space layers (gdb, LLDB, JNI, V8, Mojo) * Reverse engineer native binaries and Android system components * Work with kernel subsystems, OS internals, and mobile security ...

HawkEye 360

Principal Embedded Linux Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$170K - $200K/yr

Lead board bring-up efforts, kernel customization, device driver development, and device tree configuration * Define and implement hardware-software interfaces for FPGA-enabled SoCs with Linux-based ...

stanleyreid

Reverse Engineer - FS Poly

Laurel, 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 Laurel, 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 ...

stanleyreid

Reverse Engineer - FS Poly

Laurel, 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 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 ...

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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 Jun 16, 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
Windows CNO Developer (BZ)

Windows CNO Developer (BZ)

Legato, LLC

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Legato, LLC recruiters (Staffing@legatocorp.com) would love to speak with you regarding the following position: Windows CNO Developer in Dulles, VA.
Security Clearance Required: TS/SCI minimum
What You Will Do:
We are seeking a highly skilled CNO Developer with strong reverse engineering capabilities to support advanced research, systems development, and threat analysis. This role requires deep knowledge of the Windows operating system internals, low-level programming, and the ability to analyze and deconstruct binaries for vulnerabilities, malware, or undocumented system behavior. Design, develop, and maintain low-level kernel-mode components, drivers, and subsystems for Windows platforms. Perform reverse engineering of Windows binaries (both legitimate and malicious) to understand system behavior, exploits, or undocumented APIs. Conduct vulnerability research and proof-of-concept exploit development. Analyze crash dumps, root cause bugs, and provide kernel-level debugging and troubleshooting support. Collaborate with cybersecurity researchers, analysts, and software engineers to support security-focused development efforts. Document findings, architecture, and procedures clearly for internal teams or external clients.
Our minimum requirements for this role:
  • Active TS/SCI clearance.
  • 3+ years of CNO development experience with Windows.
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
  • Previous experience in Windows kernel development.
  • Proficient in C/C++ for systems-level programming.
  • Expertise with reverse engineering tools such as IDA Pro, Ghidra, x64dbg, WinDbg, and Hex-Rays.
  • In-depth understanding of Windows internals (e.g., kernel-mode drivers, memory management, system calls, PE file format).
  • Experience with kernel-mode debugging and root cause analysis.
  • Familiarity with secure coding practices and low-level exploit mitigation techniques (e.g., PatchGuard, CFG, DEP/ASLR).
  • Strong understanding of malware behavior and techniques

About Your New Company
Legato, LLC is a dynamic small business headquartered in Columbia, near Ft. Meade, MD. Our positions include Cyber, Software, Systems, Networking, Data Science and other complex engineering capabilities. We set ourselves apart by having employees in the top of their field and who enjoy working at Legato for its attention to its employees, aggressive compensation, and upward mobility possibilities.
We offer a generous benefits package including individual and family health, vision and dental benefits. A minimum of four (4) weeks of paid time off including a week of sick leave. Legato gives our employees 11 federal holidays off and a 401(k) employer match with no vesting schedule. There is an opportunity to earn referral benefits or bank hours if the contract allows.
Disclaimer: The salary range provided is an estimate based on current market conditions and may be adjusted based on factors such as experience, skills, and qualifications. The final salary offer will be determined after a thorough review of the candidate's background and alignment with the role. Please note that this range is subject to change and should be considered as a guideline rather than a definitive figure.
Legato LLC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

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