1

Linux Driver Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Linux Automotive Engineer Location: San Diego, CA Duration: 6+ Months You will be joining ... Experience in bootloaders,Linux kernel and driver architecture is a plus * Experience in Multimedia ...

Linux Automotive Engineer Location: San Diego, CA Duration: 6+ Months You will be joining ... Experience in bootloaders,Linux kernel and driver architecture is a plus * Experience in Multimedia ...

Staff Hypervisor Developer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$185K - $225K/yr

Software Developer with 10+ years of experience working in embedded systems * Experience developing ... Experience developing linux kernel / linux driver. * Experience developing Hypervisor, Xen/KVM/ACRN ...

Linux GPU Driver Lead

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$175K - $250K/yr

Strong proficiency in C/C++ programming * Deep experience in user/kernel mode drivers on Linux * Experience with graphics APIs (Vulkan, DirectX, Metal, OpenGL) * Familiarity with compiler ...

Software Developer with 10+ years of experience working in embedded systems * Experience developing ... Experience developing linux kernel / linux driver. * Experience developing Hypervisor, Xen/KVM/ACRN ...

Senior Linux Systems Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$125K - $150K/yr

We are looking for a highly motivated Senior Linux Systems Engineer to join our Computing Team! You ... Monitor and troubleshoot kernel, driver, and hardware issues; perform root cause analysis in ...

Software Developer with 10+ years of experience working in embedded systems * Experience developing ... Experience developing linux kernel / linux driver. * Experience developing Hypervisor, Xen/KVM/ACRN ...

Work on a variety of projects with custom built Linux on custom built hardware. Preferred candidate ... Kernel driver development experience preferred. Qualifications Additional Information All your ...

Software Developer with 10+ years of experience working in embedded systems * Experience developing ... Experience developing linux kernel / linux driver. * Experience developing Hypervisor, Xen/KVM/ACRN ...

Work on a variety of projects with custom built Linux on custom built hardware. Preferred candidate ... Kernel driver development experience preferred. Additional Information All your information will be ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Linux Driver Developer information

See California salary details

$36

$54

$70

How much do linux driver developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 28, 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 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:
Infographic showing various Linux Driver Developer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, and 99% Full Time. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,555 per year, or $54.6 per hour.
Senior Embedded Linux Engineer

Senior Embedded Linux Engineer

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA

Other

Posted 16 days ago


Anduril rating

9.4

Company rating: 9.4 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description


ABOUT THE TEAM
The Tactical Recon & Strike team at Anduril develops aerial small drones (Group 1-3) and all equipment to test, deploy and operate. The team is responsible for taking products like Ghost, Anvil, Bolt and Altius from concepts to operational systems. We work in close coordination with specialist teams to solve some of the hardest problems facing our customers. We are looking for software engineers, hardware engineers, roboticists, and front-end mobile developers who are excited about creating a powerful robotics platform that can be tasked and viewed in real-time through a variety of interfaces.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • Board bring-up and maintenance on embedded ARM boards (device trees, bootloaders, kernel drivers, etc)
  • Customize vendor BSPs for use with NixOS systems
  • Help secure our embedded Linux systems
  • Closely collaborate with firmware engineers on low-level protocols and software updates to microcontrollers.
  • Develop platform software for rapid and reliable updates of mass-produced military-grade systems.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Familiarity with triaging vulnerability reports and mitigating vulnerabilities by patching system components.
  • Experience with Linux kernel development
  • Experience with uboot, EDK2, platform firmware, etc
  • Interest in using Nix/NixOS as an alternative to Yocto, buildroot, etc
  • Experience with C or Rust
  • Familiarity with MCU basics, RTOS, and MCU-level interfaces.
  • Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Experience developing embedded Linux systems using Yocto, buildroot, or similar systems
  • Familiarity with packaging CUDA libraries and applications
  • Familiarity with functional programming paradigms
  • Experience with one or more of the following languages: C++, Python

Anduril Industries logo

About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

Social media