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Linux Kernel Driver Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Delos

Kernel Driver Software Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

Kernel-Mode Driver Development: Design, develop, and maintain kernel-mode drivers ensuring high ... Deep understanding of operating system internals (Linux preferred). * Experience with hardware ...

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 ...

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

$173.7K

How much do linux kernel driver jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 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.

What is a Linux kernel driver?

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 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 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 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
Infographic showing various Linux Kernel Driver job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $147,110 per year, or $70.7 per hour.

Software Engineer - Linux Kernel (C++, C)

Palo Alto, CA

SpaceXAI
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about SpaceXAIexternal

$180K - $440K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 8 days ago

SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 152 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

At SpaceXAI, we design, build, and operate the largest AI supercomputers in the world, from the ground up. As a member of the Platform Core team, you will be responsible for the lowest layers of the software stack on the devices setting the pace for how fast we can push the frontier of AI. Our team's software interfaces directly with the core hardware of the supercomputer and its network fabric. Our mission is to expose the full capability of that hardware - limited only by physics - to the rest of the stack, all while retaining the smallest, most robust footprint possible.
RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Build and maintain the lean, high-reliability Linux-based operating system that underpins our supercomputer network fabric.
  • Write (or rewrite) high-performance device drivers to extract the maximum physical capability from our network and compute hardware.
  • Manage deployment, operation, and debugging of our platform in production, including:
    • Rigorous resolution and root-causing of anomalies to ensure the system is constantly improving in reliability.
    • Developing and constantly improving our tools for observability and configuration management.
  • Collaborate with our hardware teams and external partners to design the next generation of supercomputer hardware - and then bring up our OS and software stack on it.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Hands-on systems programming experience in C or C++.
  • Strong operating systems fundamentals (scheduling, memory management, I/O) - you must be able to articulate in extreme detail how a computer works, from the hardware all the way up to high-level applications.
  • Understanding of computer networking, both in the host (OS stack) as well as common network devices like switches and routers.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Deep knowledge of the Linux kernel and its networking stack - transferable experience with another production-grade kernel is okay, too!
  • Proficiency with debugging tools spanning kernel, network, and userspace (e.g., ftrace, perf, Wireshark/tcpdump, eBPF, gdb, and more).
  • Experience bringing up new hardware from scratch - you have flashed bare-metal software on a microcontroller with JTAG, or bootstrapped a Linux kernel and rootfs on new hardware.
  • Demonstrated track record of developing and optimizing device/peripheral drivers - ideally for high-speed interfaces, or with advanced considerations like DMA and cache coherency.
  • Understanding of major peripheral hardware interface standards (Ethernet, PCIe, I2C, SPI, etc.) - you can critically review a schematic, and debug these interfaces if needed.
  • Experience with product security, OS/system hardening, and secure boot schemes.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

$180,000 - $440,000 USD

Base salary is just one part of our total rewards package at xAI, which also includes equity, comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and various other discounts and perks.

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About SpaceX

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Industry

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing, data services, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and satellite telecommunications

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hawthorne, CA, US

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