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Linux Driver Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Principle Engineer Location: Plano, Texas As a Principal Engineer, you will actively work on the ... device drivers in Linux. โ€ข Develop unit tests and integration tests. โ€ข Understand various ...

Senior FPGA Engineer, EW

Costa Mesa, CA

$139K - $179K/yr

EW Electrical Engineers drive end-to-end development, from system architecture and circuit design ... Experience with embedded Linux driver development. * Experience with Linux development environment ...

JD Kernel - Developer Engineer Skill Linux, C, C++ Mandatory Board Bring Up Mandatory Kernel Mandatory BSP , Android HAL/HIDL Mandatory Kernel Driver - Development Mandatory Automated Unit Testing ...

JD Kernel - Developer Engineer Skill Linux, C, C++ Mandatory Board Bring Up Mandatory Kernel Mandatory BSP , Android HAL/HIDL Mandatory Kernel Driver - Development Mandatory Automated Unit Testing ...

Embedded Linux Software Engineer

Irvine, CA ยท On-site

$100 - $150K/hr

... Software Engineers with expertise in Linux BSP, device driver development, and debugging to join ... Your primary focus will be on Linux-based systems, device driver development, including for custom ...

... Software Engineers with expertise in Linux BSP, device driver development, and debugging to join ... Your primary focus will be on Linux-based systems, device driver development, including for custom ...

Embedded Linux Software Engineer

Irvine, CA ยท On-site

$100 - $150K/hr

... Software Engineers with expertise in Linux BSP, device driver development, and debugging to join ... Your primary focus will be on Linux-based systems, device driver development, including for custom ...

Experience programming in U-boot, Linux driver. * Experience in Hardware bring up, SDK porting * Experience in router, network device * Knowledge of general QA procedures and methodologies, as well ...

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Linux Driver Developer information

See California salary details

$36

$54

$70

How much do linux driver developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for linux driver developer in California is $54.59, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49.57 and $58.61 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Linux Driver Developers?

Linux Driver Developers are software engineers who design, implement, and maintain device drivers that enable hardware components to communicate with the Linux operating system. They work closely with hardware manufacturers and kernel developers to ensure that devices such as graphics cards, network adapters, and storage controllers are supported on Linux platforms. Their work involves writing code in languages like C, debugging hardware interactions, and contributing to open source kernel projects. Linux Driver Developers play a crucial role in expanding hardware compatibility and performance for Linux users.

What are some common challenges Linux Driver Developers face when integrating new hardware with the Linux kernel?

Linux Driver Developers often encounter challenges such as limited vendor documentation, ensuring compatibility across different kernel versions, and debugging complex interactions between the driver and user-space applications. Additionally, they must adhere to strict coding standards required by the Linux kernel community and handle frequent changes in kernel APIs. Collaborating closely with hardware engineers and the broader open-source community is also crucial to resolve issues efficiently and ensure robust, maintainable code.

What is the difference between Linux Driver Developer vs Linux Kernel Developer?

AspectLinux Driver DeveloperLinux Kernel Developer
Primary FocusDeveloping and maintaining device drivers for LinuxContributing to the Linux kernel core code
Required SkillsC programming, hardware interfaces, driver architectureC programming, kernel architecture, system internals
Work EnvironmentEmbedded systems, hardware vendors, device manufacturersOpen-source community, Linux kernel projects
CertificationsOften Linux or embedded system certificationsLinux Foundation certifications, kernel development courses

Linux Driver Developers focus on creating drivers for specific hardware components, while Linux Kernel Developers work on the core kernel itself. Both roles require strong C programming skills and familiarity with Linux internals, but Driver Developers typically work closer to hardware, whereas Kernel Developers contribute to the overall system architecture.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Linux Driver Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Linux Driver Developer, you need a solid understanding of C programming, Linux kernel architecture, and device driver development, typically supported by a computer science or related degree. Familiarity with kernel debugging tools (such as GDB, ftrace, and perf), version control systems like Git, and experience with open-source collaboration are essential. Analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for building reliable, efficient drivers and collaborating within the Linux development community to ensure hardware and software compatibility.
What are the most commonly searched types of Linux Driver Developer jobs in California? The most popular types of Linux Driver Developer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Linux Driver Developer jobs in California? For Linux Driver Developer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Linux Driver Developer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Linux Driver Developer jobs in California are:

System Level Software Engineer - Driver Development - 2784 -OJO

Right Talent Right Now

Los Angeles, CA โ€ข On-site

$186K - $220K/yr

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

Job Description

System Level Software Engineer - Driver Development - 2784








Job Ref.: 2784




Job Title: System Level Software Engineer - Driver Development




Role: Information Technology




Relocation Available: Yes




Industry: I.T.




Location: South Carolina




Town / City: Greer




Job Type: Permanent full-time




Job description:




Company develops custom system level software, including device drivers, firmware, embedded applications, protocol stacks, board support packages, and custom interfaces. They specialize in wireless communications for military and embedded systems.




They are seeking a talented Software Development professional who specializes in system-level development (device drivers, firmware, embedded systems) to serve as a key member of the engineering team. This individual will be responsible for developing and supporting user mode applications, device drivers, and firmware for a wide variety of systems, including networking and communication hardware and software products. These responsibilities include the design and development of protocols and algorithms for a variety of technologies, including USB, PCI, 802. WLAN, Ethernet, VoIP, Bluetooth, cellular, and broadband communications. This individual must be able to communicate effectively with clients and be attentive to customer satisfaction.




Windows Kernel and/or Driver Programming experience (XP, Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8) or current Linux Kernel Driver programming experience.




6-8+ years C, C+ programming experience.




6-8+ years of application development experience




Excellent written and verbal communications skills




Strong debugging skills




Superior problem solving abilitiesย 




Ability to work independently or as part of a team







Required Education: Bachelors or Masters in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Science.ย 







Desired Skills (not required)




WinDBG




embedded Linux




Experience with multiple Linux distributions (Montavista, Ubuntu, OpenEmbedded, Red Hat, Buildroot, etc.)ย 




Embedded Linux development for a variety of platforms (ARM, MIPS, x86, PowerPC, etc.) and board support packages.




Experience writing software that interfaces with hardware (one or more of the following: device drivers, firmware, embedded systems).




Experience with real time and multithreaded applications




Experience performing architectural definition, documentation, and development at the system level




Reverse Engineering (IDA Pro, Ollydbg, etc.)ย 




Communication protocol experience (designing, implementing)




Experience writing software that interfaces with hardware (one or more of the following: device drivers, firmware, embedded systems)







Clearance Required: Candidate must be a U.S. Citizen in order to meet the minimum requirement to obtain the required clearance.




Bottom Line Requirements:




1. Bachelors or Masters in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or related.




2. Windows Kernel or Driver Programming experience (XP, Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8) or current Linux Kernel Driver programming experience.




3. 6-8+ years C, C+ programming experience.




4. 6-8+ years of application development experience.




5. US Citizen able to obtain clearance.





Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.