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Linux Driver Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

itechstack

Linux BSP Developer

Burlingame, CA

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 ...

itechstack

Linux BSP Developer

Burlingame, CA · On-site

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 ...

Nvidia

System Software Engineering Lead

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

... developer * BS or MS degree in EE/CS/CE (or equivalent experience) * Experience doing device drivers and kernel mode software * Direct experience on Linux kernel development with a track record of ...

TRL11, Inc.

Embedded Linux Software Engineer

Irvine, CA

$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 ...

TRL11, Inc.

Embedded Linux Software Engineer

Irvine, CA · 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 ...

TRL11, Inc.

Embedded Linux Software Engineer

Irvine, CA · 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 ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsLinux Driver Developer JobsLinux Driver Developer Jobs in California

Linux Driver Developer information

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$36

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How much do linux driver developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 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 is a Linux driver developer?

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 the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Linux driver developer?

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 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 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:

Linux Driver Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Linux Driver Developer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 29% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,555 per year, or $54.6 per hour.

Linux Kernel Developer (Mid-to-Senior Level)

E-Space

Saratoga, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

Ready to make connectivity from space universally accessible, secure and actionable? Then you’ve come to the right place!

E-Space is bridging Earth and space to enable hyper-scaled deployments of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and services. We are building a highly-advanced low Earth orbit (LEO) space system that will fundamentally change the design, economics, manufacturing and service delivery associated with traditional satellite and terrestrial IoT systems.

We’re intentional, we’re unapologetically curious and we’re 100% committed to innovate space-based communications and deliver actionable intelligence that will expand global economies, protect space and our planet and enhance our overall quality of life.

We're a successful, fast-growing startup building complex systems that run on custom Linux platforms in demanding, real-world environments. We're looking for a Linux Kernel Developer who's comfortable working deep in the stack — from drivers and subsystems to boot and memory management — and who wants to own kernel-level quality as our products scale.
 
In this role, you'll design, develop, and debug kernel code and low-level Linux components that power our hardware platforms. You'll work closely with embedded software engineers, systems engineers, and hardware teams to ensure our platforms are stable, performant, and production-ready.
 
This is a hands-on role suited for someone who enjoys solving hard problems close to the metal in a lean engineering organization.
What you will do:
* Design, develop, and maintain Linux kernel code, including drivers, subsystems, and kernel modules
* Port, configure, and optimize the Linux kernel for custom hardware platforms
* Write and maintain device drivers for a range of interfaces (e.g., I2C, SPI, UART, USB, PCIe, Ethernet)
* Debug and resolve kernel panics, race conditions, memory issues, and other low-level system failures
* Profile and optimize kernel and driver performance, including boot time, latency, and power consumption
* Work with bootloaders (e.g., U-Boot) and board bring-up for new hardware revisions
* Collaborate with hardware engineers during board bring-up and hardware/software integration
* Upstream patches where appropriate, and track relevant upstream kernel changes and CVEs
* Contribute to kernel configuration, build systems (e.g., Yocto, Buildroot), and CI integration
* Document kernel architecture decisions, driver interfaces, and debugging procedures in a way that's practical and reusable
What you bring to this role:
* 5+ years of experience developing in C, with deep familiarity with Linux kernel internals
* Proven experience writing and debugging Linux device drivers and kernel modules
* Solid understanding of:
   * Kernel subsystems (memory management, scheduling, filesystems, networking)
   * Linux boot process and bootloaders
   * Concurrency, locking, and interrupt handling in kernel space
* Experience with embedded Linux build systems (Yocto, Buildroot, or similar)
* Comfort working directly with hardware during bring-up, debugging with tools like JTAG, oscilloscopes, or logic analyzers
* Strong debugging skills using tools such as gdb, ftrace, perf, kgdb, or crash dump analysis
* Comfortable working independently and taking ownership in a lean startup environment
 
Bonus points for the following:
*Upstream Linux kernel contribution experience
* Experience with real-time Linux (PREEMPT_RT) or other real-time operating systems
* Familiarity with security-hardening practices for embedded Linux (secure boot, kernel hardening)
* Experience with version control systems (Git) and kernel patch workflows (mailing lists, git send-email)
* Exposure to multiple CPU architectures (ARM, RISC-V, x86)
* Experience with CI/CD pipelines for embedded or system-level software
 
Additional Requirements
This is a fast-paced, high-impact environment - flexibility to occasionally work extended hours or weekends during critical periods is expected.

This is a full time, exempt position, based out of our Saratoga office. The total compensation packaged will be determined by various factors such as your relevant job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. 
 
We are redefining how satellites are designed, manufactured and used—so we’re looking for candidates with passion, deep knowledge and direct experience on LEO satellite component development, design and in-orbit activities. If that’s your experience – then we’ll be immediately wow-ed.
 
E-Space is not currently able to provide employment sponsorship for candidates who do not hold work authorization for the location of this role.  

Why E-Space is right for you:

As a member of our team, you will play a crucial role in driving our success.  Our team members have a strong sense of dedication and responsibility; this includes a strong commitment to our mission to create an entirely new suite of global capabilities to improve lives, business efficiencies and build a smarter planet. This means that there will be times when extra hours, including nights and weekends, may be needed to meet critical deadlines and mission goals.  In return, we offer a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth and development and the chance to make a meaningful impact in a high-growth industry.  

We want you to make the most of your journey at E-Space. That’s why we support and invest in the physical, emotional and financial well-being of our team members and their families. Some of what you can expect when working at E-Space:

• An opportunity to really make a difference
• Sustainability at our core
• Fair and honest workplace
• Innovative thinking is encouraged
• Competitive salaries
• Continuous learning and development
• Health and wellness care options
• Financial solutions for the future
• Optional legal services (US only)
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.