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Linux Kernel Driver Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Brilliant

Linux Engineer

San Mateo, CA

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 ...

Brilliant

Linux Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

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 ...

Waymo

Senior Software Engineer, Linux Kernel

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$144K - $190K/yr

You will write Linux Kernel drivers (including creating appropriate user-space APIs) to communicate with custom hardware (e.g. custom ASICs and FPGAs). If you enjoy building embedded systems using ...

Qualcomm

Staff Engineer, Linux Device Drivers

San Diego, CA · On-site

$134K - $202K/yr

The engineer will develop and extend Linux kernel driver code related to PCIe device setup, firmware loading, MHI bus, DMABUF importation, and DMA transfers. Familiarity with SoC systems including ...

Etched

Kernel Driver Software Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$150K - $275K/yr

Design, develop, and maintain kernel-mode drivers ensuring high reliability, informative debug, and ... Deep understanding of operating system internals (Linux preferred). * Experience with hardware ...

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Linux Kernel Driver information

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$99.7K

$147.1K

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How much do linux kernel driver jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for linux kernel driver in California is $147,110.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $134,700.00 and $162,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do Linux driver developers make?

Linux kernel driver developers typically earn between $80,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. Skilled developers with expertise in C programming, hardware interfaces, and kernel architecture may earn higher salaries, especially in tech hubs or with specialized certifications.

What is a Linux Kernel Driver job?

A Linux Kernel Driver job involves developing, debugging, and maintaining device drivers that interface hardware with the Linux operating system. Kernel driver developers work with low-level system components, ensuring efficient communication between hardware and the OS. They often use languages like C and work with kernel subsystems, memory management, and concurrency. The role requires deep knowledge of Linux internals, debugging tools, and hardware interfaces. It is crucial for enabling hardware functionality in Linux-based environments.

What percent of the Linux kernel is drivers?

In the Linux kernel, device drivers constitute approximately 60-70% of the codebase, reflecting the kernel's modular design that supports a wide range of hardware. Linux kernel developers often focus on driver development and maintenance, making it a key area for Linux kernel driver roles.

What are the main jobs of a Linux kernel?

A Linux kernel driver job involves developing and maintaining code that allows hardware devices to communicate with the Linux operating system. This includes managing device interactions, ensuring efficient data transfer, and handling hardware-specific operations, often using programming languages like C. Kernel drivers are essential for hardware support and system stability, requiring knowledge of hardware architecture and kernel internals.

Are kernel engineers in demand?

Kernel engineers, including those working on Linux kernel drivers, are in high demand due to the critical role of operating system development in various industries such as technology, telecommunications, and embedded systems. Skills in C programming, hardware interaction, and experience with Linux environments increase employability, and demand is expected to grow with the expansion of IoT, cloud computing, and cybersecurity sectors.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Linux Kernel Driver position, and why are they important?

To excel as a Linux Kernel Driver, you need deep proficiency in C programming, operating system fundamentals, and hands-on experience with Linux kernel architecture, often supported by a computer science degree or equivalent. Familiarity with tools like Git, kernel debugging utilities, and version control systems, as well as kernel module development experience, is highly valuable. Strong problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills help you work effectively with software teams and hardware engineers. These abilities are crucial for developing robust, high-performance drivers that enable seamless integration of hardware and software components within various Linux environments.

What are the typical challenges faced by a Linux Kernel Driver developer?

Working as a Linux Kernel Driver developer often involves diagnosing complex issues at the intersection of hardware and software, which can be time-consuming and require an in-depth understanding of system internals. You may need to address compatibility concerns across kernel versions and ensure proper functionality under various hardware configurations. Collaboration with hardware engineers, software developers, and QA teams is common, and maintaining effective communication is key to successful project delivery. Staying current with the Linux kernel's ongoing updates and contributing to the open-source community are also typical aspects of the role.

What are popular job titles related to Linux Kernel Driver jobs in California? For Linux Kernel Driver jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Linux Kernel Driver jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Linux Kernel Driver jobs in California are:
Linux Kernel Driver jobs near you

Senior Linux Kernel Camera And ISP Driver Engineer

Techvilla Solutions

Palo Alto, CA

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

The Senior Linux Kernel Camera/ISP Driver Engineer will design, develop, and optimize Linux kernel-level drivers for camera and image signal processing systems in embedded platforms. The role involves deep low-level development, hardware bring-up, and performance tuning of multimedia subsystems for high-performance, power-efficient devices.

Roles and Responsibilities
  • Design, develop, and maintain Linux kernel drivers for camera and ISP subsystems
  • Lead MIPI CSI-2 sensor integration and ISP hardware bring-up on embedded platforms
  • Implement and optimize components within the Linux media framework, including V4L2, Media Controller, and videobuf2
  • Develop high-performance kernel-space code with focus on latency, throughput, and stability
  • Work on DMA-BUF sharing mechanisms, scatter-gather DMA mapping, and cache coherency optimization
  • Implement and debug kernel-level features including interrupt handling, workqueues, and concurrency controls
  • Optimize power management features including runtime PM and suspend/resume flows
  • Perform advanced kernel debugging using tools such as JTAG, GDB, ftrace, and lockdep
  • Collaborate with hardware, firmware, and system teams to ensure seamless integration of camera pipelines
  • Troubleshoot complex system-level issues across driver, kernel, and hardware layers
  • Contribute to performance tuning, stability improvements, and system optimization
Technical Skills & Expertise
  • 10+ years of embedded systems experience with at least 5+ years in Linux kernel driver development
  • Expert-level C programming in Linux kernel space
  • Strong understanding of Linux kernel internals including:
    • Memory management
    • Mutexes, spinlocks, RCU
    • Interrupt handling and workqueues
  • Strong expertise in Linux media stack:
    • V4L2 (ioctl interfaces)
    • Media Controller framework
    • videobuf2 framework
  • Hands-on experience with MIPI CSI-2 sensor integration and ISP bring-up
  • Strong knowledge of DMA-BUF, scatter-gather I/O, and cache coherency mechanisms
  • Proficiency in kernel debugging tools: JTAG, GDB, ftrace, lockdep
  • Solid understanding of Linux power management (runtime PM, suspend/resume)
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in embedded multimedia systems (camera, imaging, or ISP pipelines)
  • Exposure to SoC-level camera subsystem architecture
  • Strong debugging skills in complex multi-layer kernel-hardware interactions
  • Experience optimizing performance and power in resource-constrained systems

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