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Linux Driver Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

... modules and Linux device drivers (Linux,C, MIPS, ARM) Android bring up on ARM based platforms ... Bachelor's, Computer Engineering and/or Computer Science and/or Electrical Engineering Preferred:

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 ...

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 ...

About this position SeeScan is seeking a Software Engineer with strong experience in embedded Linux ... You will be responsible for a mix of driver, middleware and application development on a variety of ...

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 ...

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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 Jul 22, 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 July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,555 per year, or $54.6 per hour.

SENIOR EMBEDDED LINUX ENGINEER - LINUX KERNELS, ARM, X86

ph7

San Jose, CA

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

Company Description

A Network Processor Company

Job Description

esponsibilities:

  • Work as part of a dynamic software team on various processors
  • Software development work will include learning of network processor hardware products, protocol stacks, existing software on those products and other related software tools. The development work includes supporting/maintaining existing software and development for new RFCs/protocols.
  • Help customers in porting and optimizing their existing applications to OCTEON or other processors.
  • Additional knowledge of Linux Device Drivers and C Programming is required.
  • Work also involves trouble shooting and resolving complex software issues - especially in multi-core environment.
Qualifications

Requirements:

  • Minimum: Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent. M.S. preferred.
  • 5+ years of experience in embedded system programming.
  • Excellent programming skills - C, C++and assembly (preferably MIPS, candidate will need to learn ARMv8) 
  • Strong knowledge of networking protocol stacks (TCP/IP, UDP, IPsec, SSL, etc.).
  • Knowledge of Ethernet and related switching architectures
  • Proven experience with solving real-time embedded issues, including: threading, optimization, memory management, interrupt handling, etc.
  • Experience in troubleshooting, performance analysis, and performance optimization for embedded systems.
  • Knowledge of various debugging tools (EJTAG, probes, logic analyzers, etc.).
  • Linux kernel and device drivers (networking, PCI, etc.).
  • Understanding of low level CPU architecture.
  • Working experience with multi-core/multi-CPU environments.
  • Some understanding of HW/SW virtualization concepts
  • Effective interpersonal, teamwork, and verbal/written communication skills; able to interface internally and externally with all levels of the organization.
  • Diligent, detail-oriented, and willing to take initiative and handle assignments with minimal supervision. Inherent sense of urgency and accountability; able to multi-task in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
  • Knowledge of OCTEON/MIPS CPU architecture