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Lead Linux Kernel Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

VAST Data

Linux Kernel Developer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

VAST Data is looking for a Linux Kernel Developer to join our growing team! This is a great opportunity to be part of one of the fastest-growing infrastructure companies in history, an organization ...

VAST Data

Linux Kernel Developer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

Description VAST Data is looking for a Linux Kernel Developer to join our growing team! This is a great opportunity to be part of one of the fastest-growing infrastructure companies in history, an ...

Jobgether

Our partner is looking for a Lead Linux Kernel Engineer - Ubuntu based in Netherlands. This is a senior technical leadership opportunity focused on shaping the architecture, development, and delivery ...

Apple

Linux Kernel Engineer

Durham, NH

$142K - $263K/yr

As a Linux Kernel Engineer, you will own the kernel lifecycle end to end, from CI infrastructure ... You will lead triage of kernel regressions, investigate crashes and performance issues, drive fixes ...

Apple

Linux Kernel Engineer

Durham, NH

$142K - $263K/yr

As a Linux Kernel Engineer, you will own the kernel lifecycle end to end, from CI infrastructure ... You will lead triage of kernel regressions, investigate crashes and performance issues, drive fixes ...

Apple

Linux Kernel Engineer

Durham, NH

$142K - $263K/yr

As a Linux Kernel Engineer, you will own the kernel lifecycle end to end, from CI infrastructure ... You will lead triage of kernel regressions, investigate crashes and performance issues, drive fixes ...

Apple

Linux Kernel Engineer

Durham, NH

$142K - $263K/yr

As a Linux Kernel Engineer, you will own the kernel lifecycle end to end, from CI infrastructure ... You will lead triage of kernel regressions, investigate crashes and performance issues, drive fixes ...

Apple

Linux Kernel Engineer

Durham, NH

$142K - $263K/yr

As a Linux Kernel Engineer, you will own the kernel lifecycle end to end, from CI infrastructure ... You will lead triage of kernel regressions, investigate crashes and performance issues, drive fixes ...

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Lead Linux Kernel Developer information

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How much do lead linux kernel developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for lead linux kernel developer in the United States is $64.33, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56.73 and $74.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Lead Linux Kernel Developer vs Linux Kernel Engineer?

AspectLead Linux Kernel DeveloperLinux Kernel Engineer
CredentialsExperience in kernel development, possibly advanced certificationsSimilar technical background, often with Linux certifications or degrees
Work EnvironmentLeads teams, manages projects, strategic planningHands-on coding, debugging, and implementing kernel features
Industry UsageUsed in organizations requiring leadership in kernel projectsCommon in companies developing or maintaining Linux-based systems
Search & Comparison IntentSeeking leadership roles in kernel developmentLooking for technical kernel development positions

While both roles require strong Linux kernel knowledge, the Lead Linux Kernel Developer focuses on leadership, project management, and strategic oversight, whereas the Linux Kernel Engineer is primarily involved in hands-on coding and technical implementation.

Are Lead Linux Kernel Developers in demand?

Lead Linux Kernel Developers are in high demand due to the critical role of Linux in servers, cloud infrastructure, and embedded systems. Their expertise in kernel development, performance optimization, and system security makes them valuable in technology companies, hardware manufacturers, and open-source projects, often commanding competitive salaries and advanced skill requirements.

How much do lead Linux kernel developers make?

Lead Linux kernel developers typically earn between $120,000 and $180,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the size of the organization. Senior roles often require deep knowledge of C programming, kernel architecture, and debugging tools, which can influence salary levels.

What are popular job titles related to Lead Linux Kernel Developer jobs?

For Lead Linux Kernel Developer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Lead Linux Kernel Developer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,813 per year, or $64.3 per hour.

Linux Kernel Developer

Raleigh, NC • On-site

VAST Data
Software Development • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about VAST Dataexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

VAST Data is looking for a Linux Kernel Developer to join our growing team!


This is a great opportunity to be part of one of the fastest-growing infrastructure companies in history, an organization that is in the center of the hurricane being created by the revolution in artificial intelligence.


"VAST's data management vision is the future of the market."- Forbes


VAST Data is the data platform company for the AI era. We are building the enterprise software infrastructure to capture, catalog, refine, enrich, and protect massive datasets and make them available for real-time data analysis and AI training and inference. Designed from the ground up to make AI simple to deploy and manage, VAST takes the cost and complexity out of deploying enterprise and AI infrastructure across data center, edge, and cloud.


Our success has been built through intense innovation, a customer-first mentality and a team of fearless VASTronauts who leverage their skills & experiences to make real market impact. This is an opportunity to be a key contributor at a pivotal time in our company’s growth and at a pivotal point in computing history.



Requirements:

VAST is building the highest-performing file system in the world. This requires innovating all the way into the Linux operating systems that require accessing data at unlimited bandwidth and low latency.

We are forming a new team focused solely on Kernel development, collaborating with the upstream community, and setting new industry standards for fast file systems.

Requirements

Linux Kernel Development Experience

System programming in C/C++.

Solid networking knowledge (OSI network layers, TCP/IP)

Python/Git- advantage

Knowledge block-level Storage/file systems — advantage

BSc/MSc degree in Computer Science, Engineering or equivalent