1

Linux Kernel Developer Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

AI Engineer II

Houston, TX · On-site

$116K - $144K/yr

Develop and enhance automated pipelines for AI delivery using tools like Azure DevOps, GitHub ... Experience with GPU environments, Linux systems, and frameworks such as LangChain, Semantic Kernel ...

AI Engineer II

Chicago, IL · On-site

$116K - $144K/yr

Develop and enhance automated pipelines for AI delivery using tools like Azure DevOps, GitHub ... Experience with GPU environments, Linux systems, and frameworks such as LangChain, Semantic Kernel ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Linux Kernel Developer information

See Houston, TX salary details

$96.5K

$142.3K

$168.1K

How much do linux kernel developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for linux kernel developer in Houston, TX is $142,350.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $130,400.00 and $157,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Linux Kernel Developers face when integrating new features or patches?

Linux Kernel Developers often encounter challenges such as ensuring compatibility with a wide range of hardware architectures and maintaining stability across diverse distributions. Integrating new features or patches requires rigorous code review, thorough testing, and clear communication with the broader open-source community. Developers must also keep up with the kernel's fast-paced development cycles and adhere to strict coding standards, which can be demanding but offers significant opportunities for learning and professional growth.

What Does a Linux Kernel Developer Do?

A Linux kernel developer uses computer code to create a program that functions as the core of a computer operating system. Your duties can include creating kernels for open-source operating systems for desktop computers, laptops, phones, and tablets. You can also develop programs for embedded systems for routers, smart devices, or automated machinery. Linux uses C programming languages, so you often write code in C and C++. In addition to your coding responsibilities, you also test and debug your programs. Your employer may ask you to develop applications, drivers, and other tools to use with your kernel.

What does a Linux Kernel Developer do?

A Linux Kernel Developer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining the core part of the Linux operating system known as the kernel. Their work involves writing and reviewing code, debugging issues, implementing new features, and ensuring the kernel remains efficient and secure. They also collaborate with the open-source community to contribute patches and updates. Linux Kernel Developers play a crucial role in supporting hardware compatibility and system performance across various devices.

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

To thrive as a Linux Kernel Developer, you need deep knowledge of C programming, operating system concepts, and experience with kernel development, often supported by a degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with tools such as Git, GDB, build systems, and patch submission processes, as well as experience contributing to open-source projects, is typically required. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication are critical soft skills for collaborating within the open-source community. These skills ensure high-quality code contributions, efficient troubleshooting, and successful integration with the broader Linux ecosystem.

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

AspectLinux Kernel DeveloperLinux Device Driver Developer
Required CredentialsProficiency in C, Linux kernel development experience, often a degree in Computer Science or related fieldSimilar credentials, with focus on device-specific programming and hardware knowledge
Work EnvironmentDeveloping and maintaining core kernel components, often in a Linux environmentWriting and debugging drivers for specific hardware devices within Linux
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, open-source projects, hardware manufacturersHardware manufacturers, embedded systems, specialized device companies

While both roles require strong C programming skills and Linux knowledge, Linux Kernel Developers focus on core kernel development, whereas Linux Device Driver Developers specialize in creating drivers for hardware components. The roles often overlap but differ in scope and focus within the Linux ecosystem.

What are the most commonly searched types of Linux Kernel Developer jobs in Houston, TX? The most popular types of Linux Kernel Developer jobs in Houston, TX are:
What job categories do people searching Linux Kernel Developer jobs in Houston, TX look for? The top searched job categories for Linux Kernel Developer jobs in Houston, TX are:
What cities near Houston, TX are hiring for Linux Kernel Developer jobs? Cities near Houston, TX with the most Linux Kernel Developer job openings:
Infographic showing various Linux Kernel Developer job openings in Houston, TX as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $142,350 per year, or $68.4 per hour.
Lead Infrastructure Engineer - Storage

Lead Infrastructure Engineer - Storage

JPMorgan Chase & Co

Houston, TX • On-site

$102K - $134K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Assume a vital position as a key member of a high-performing team that delivers infrastructure and performance excellence. Your role will be instrumental in shaping the future at one of the world's largest and most influential companies.
As a Lead Infrastructure Engineer at JPMorganChase within the Enterprise Technology, Infrastructure Platforms team, you apply deep knowledge of software, applications, and technical processes within the infrastructure engineering discipline. Continue to evolve your technical and cross-functional knowledge outside of your aligned domain of expertise.

Job responsibilities

  • Uses enterprise-authorized AI capabilities within the work environment to accelerate infrastructure analysis and design documentation, validating outputs and handling operational data according to sensitivity and security requirements. 
  • Applies reuse-first, AI-assisted practices within delivery and automation routines to identify recurring issues and validate remediation options, ensuring changes are traceable/auditable and aligned to resiliency and security expectations.
  • Own and continuously improve SLOs/SLIs, error budgets, on-call readiness, and operational excellence for storage services.
  • Lead incident response for storage outages/performance degradations; drive RCAs and implement preventative actions.
  • Create and maintain runbooks, escalation paths, and standardized operational procedures.
  • Operate and enhance block/file/object storage platforms across on-prem and/or cloud environments.
  • Perform performance tuning, capacity planning, lifecycle management, and resiliency testing (failover/DR validation).
  • Partner with infrastructure, network, OS, database, and application teams to meet workload requirements and reliability targets.
  • Build automation for provisioning, patching, upgrades, replication, backup/restore, and compliance checks.
  • Implement AI-driven observability/AIOps (telemetry correlation, anomaly/regression detection, LLM-assisted incident/runbook workflows) with accuracy, auditability, and safe rollout.

Required qualifications, capabilities, and skills

  • Formal training or certification on infrastructure engineering concepts and 5+ years applied experience
  • Demonstrated experience using enterprise-authorized AI capabilities within the work environment to support infrastructure engineering workflows with strong validation habits and awareness of data sensitivity.
  • Ability to review and validate AI-assisted recommendations before implementation, escalating when uncertain and ensuring outcomes align to resiliency, security, and auditability expectations.
  • Strong knowledge of storage fundamentals (RAID/erasure coding, replication, snapshots, tiering/caching, IOPS/latency, multipathing, SAN/NAS, object semantics).
  • Hands-on experience with at least one major storage ecosystem (e.g., NetApp, Dell EMC PowerStore/Isilon, Pure, Hitachi, Ceph, IBM, or cloud storage services).
  • Solid Linux fundamentals, including system performance, networking basics, and kernel/storage-stack concepts.
  • Strong scripting/programming in one or more of Python, Go, Bash.
  • Experience with observability stacks (e.g., Prometheus/Grafana, ELK/OpenSearch, Splunk, Datadog, OpenTelemetry).
  • Proven incident management skills and ability to operate effectively in an on-call rotation.
  • Practical AI/data skills for operations (anomaly detection/forecasting/correlation/classification; feature extraction and evaluation; integrating AI into production tooling/CI/CD; safe LLM use with guardrails and human-in-the-loop review).
Preferred qualifications, capabilities, and skills
 
  • Kubernetes storage (CSI), stateful workloads, and container platform operations.
  • Infrastructure as Code (Terraform/CloudFormation) and configuration management (Ansible/Chef/Puppet).
  • Streaming/queue tooling for telemetry and event pipelines (e.g., Kafka).
  • Experience with ITSM/event management platforms (e.g., ServiceNow).
  • Backup/DR products and strategy design, including RPO/RTO tradeoffs.
  • Security controls for data platforms (KMS/HSM, secrets management, key rotation).
  • Experience building/operating controlled self-service platforms with guardrails to reduce toil at scale.
JPMorganChase, one of the oldest financial institutions, offers innovative financial solutions to millions of consumers, small businesses and many of the world's most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under the J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. Our history spans over 200 years and today we are a leader in investment banking, consumer and small business banking, commercial banking, financial transaction processing and asset management.

We offer a competitive total rewards package including base salary determined based on the role, experience, skill set and location. Those in eligible roles may receive commission-based pay and/or discretionary incentive compensation, paid in the form of cash and/or forfeitable equity, awarded in recognition of individual achievements and contributions. We also offer a range of benefits and programs to meet employee needs, based on eligibility. These benefits include comprehensive health care coverage, on-site health and wellness centers, a retirement savings plan, backup childcare, tuition reimbursement, mental health support, financial coaching and more. Additional details about total compensation and benefits will be provided during the hiring process. 

We recognize that our people are our strength and the diverse talents they bring to our global workforce are directly linked to our success. We are an equal opportunity employer and place a high value on diversity and inclusion at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. We also make reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as mental health or physical disability needs. Visit our FAQs for more information about requesting an accommodation.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including Disability/Veterans

Our Global Technology Infrastructure group is a team of innovators who love technology as much as you do. Together, you'll use a disciplined, innovative and a business focused approach to develop a wide variety of high-quality products and solutions. You'll work in a stable, resilient and secure operating environment where you-and the products you deliver-will thrive.

High Risk Roles (HRR) are sensitive roles within the technology organization that require high assurance of the integrity of staff by virtue of 1) sensitive cybersecurity and technology functions they perform within systems or 2) information they receive regarding sensitive cybersecurity or technology matters. Users in these roles are subject to enhanced pre-hire screening which includes both criminal and credit background checks (as allowed by law). The enhanced screening will need to be successfully completed prior to commencing employment or assignment.