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Kernels Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Software Engineer, CUTLASS Kernels

Durham, NC · On-site

$118K - $156K/yr

Optimize kernels for peak throughput on both silicon and software performance simulators. * Collaborate with teams across NVIDIA including the GPU architecture, NVVM/PTX compiler, CUDA library, and ...

Optimize kernels for peak throughput on both silicon and software performance simulators. * Collaborate with teams across NVIDIA including the GPU architecture, NVVM/PTX compiler, CUDA library, and ...

Senior Software Engineer, CUTLASS Kernels

Redmond, WA · On-site

$137K - $180K/yr

Optimize kernels for peak throughput on both silicon and software performance simulators. * Collaborate with teams across NVIDIA including the GPU architecture, NVVM/PTX compiler, CUDA library, and ...

Software Engineer - Kernels

Mountain View, CA · On-site +1

$175K - $400K/yr

Design and optimize kernels that interface directly with our hardware * Work in partnership with our ML Research and Hardware Engineering teams * Provide expertise and guidance on hardware ...

Design and optimize kernels that interface directly with our hardware * Work in partnership with our ML Research and Hardware Engineering teams * Provide expertise and guidance on hardware ...

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Kernels information

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$132K

$173.5K

How much do kernels jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for kernels in the United States is $171,593.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $173,000.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced when working as a Kernel Developer, and how can new team members best overcome them?

Kernel Developers often face challenges such as debugging low-level code, understanding complex hardware interactions, and ensuring system stability after making changes. New team members can overcome these hurdles by thoroughly reviewing existing documentation, leveraging debugging tools like kdump or ftrace, and collaborating closely with experienced colleagues during code reviews. Regular participation in team meetings and open-source community discussions also helps in staying updated on best practices and recent developments in kernel engineering.

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 expertise in operating system concepts, C/C++ programming, and low-level hardware interactions, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with source control systems like Git, debugging tools such as GDB, and experience with Linux kernel development are typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are essential soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for building stable, high-performance kernels and collaborating efficiently within development teams.

What is the difference between Kernels vs Network Administrators?

AspectKernelsNetwork Administrators
Required CredentialsKnowledge of operating systems, programming, Linux/UnixNetworking certifications (e.g., CCNA), IT experience
Work EnvironmentSystem-level development, OS configurationNetwork setup, maintenance, troubleshooting
Industry UsageSoftware development, OS designIT services, corporate networks

While Kernels focus on developing and maintaining core operating system components, Network Administrators manage and troubleshoot network infrastructure. Both roles require technical expertise but differ in scope and daily tasks, with Kernels working at the system level and Network Administrators handling network connectivity and security.

What are kernels in computing?

In computing, a kernel is the core component of an operating system that manages system resources and allows software and hardware to communicate. It handles tasks such as memory management, process scheduling, and input/output operations. The kernel operates at a low level, ensuring that different programs and devices work together smoothly and securely. There are different types of kernels, including monolithic and microkernels, each with advantages and trade-offs.
More about Kernels jobs
What cities are hiring for Kernels jobs? Cities with the most Kernels job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Kernels jobs? The most popular types of Kernels jobs are:
Infographic showing various Kernels job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 98% Full Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $171,593 per year, or $82.5 per hour.
Member of Technical Staff, Kernels

Member of Technical Staff, Kernels

Magic

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Job Summary:
Magic is on a mission to build safe AGI to accelerate humanity's progress on critical problems. They are seeking a Kernel Engineer to design, implement, and maintain high-performance kernels aimed at optimizing throughput and latency during training and inference.
Responsibilities:
• Design and implement kernels that support high-performance long-context behavior
• Ownership of kernel design, implementation, deployment, and production reliability
• Focus on robustness, extensive testing, and functional correctness, while pushing on performance
• Evaluate porting Magic’s compute kernels to alternative hardware options
• Co-design kernels with understanding and interaction with training, inference, and RL teams
Qualifications:
Required:
• Low-level programming experience targeting AI accelerators such as NVIDIA Blackwell or Google TPUs
• Develop and optimize GPU kernels in frameworks such as NCCL, MSCCLPP, CUTLASS, CuTeDSL, Triton, Quack, Flash-Attention, and similar frameworks
• Experience in other kernel authoring frameworks such as Pallas/Mosaic (GPU or TPU), or Mojo also maps well to the work on Magic's kernel team
• Strong depth over shallow breadth: for kernel engineering, we prefer candidates with deep expertise in computer architecture, low-level machine optimizations, and code generation, with breadth across ML
• Agility, ownership mindset, and grit
Company:
Magic is an AI coding startup that enables developers to work with AI to find code for building apps. Founded in 2022, the company is headquartered in San Francisco, USA, with a team of 51-200 employees. The company is currently Growth Stage.