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Linux Kernel Engineer Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

SiFive

Linux Kernel Architect

Boston, MA · On-site

In this role, you'll be improving and debugging the RISC-V Linux kernel, with particular focus on ... And you'll work with hardware architects and engineers, both inside SiFive and at RISC-V ...

Della Infotech

Contract Engineer Embedded

Boston, MA · On-site

$142K - $187K/yr

Expertise in C/C++ programming * Experience with board bring-up and hardware-software integration ... BSP, Linux Kernel, Device Tree, and Device Driver development * Experience debugging bootloader ...

Prattwhitney

$132.40 - $251.60/hr

The engineer will design, develop, integrate, and test firmware and application software in C/C ... Strong background in Linux; experience modifying and maintaining Linux Kernel root filesystem and ...

Prattwhitney

$107.50 - $204.50/hr

Collaborate with Systems Engineering and Hardware teams to support design concept, architectural ... Strong knowledge of Linux kernel/root filesystems, multithreaded application development, and ...

New

Prattwhitney

$100 - $130/hr

Collaborate with Systems Engineering to support generation of design concepts and system ... Experience working in a Linux environment and modifying/maintaining Linux Kernel root file system.

New

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All JobsLinux Kernel Engineer JobsLinux Kernel Engineer Jobs in Massachusetts

Linux Kernel Engineer information

See Massachusetts salary details

$12K

$125K

$141.4K

How much do linux kernel engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for linux kernel engineer in Massachusetts is $125,048.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $113,600.00 and $136,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Linux Kernel Engineer do?

A Linux Kernel Engineer is responsible for developing, maintaining, and optimizing the core of the Linux operating system, known as the kernel. Their work involves writing and debugging low-level code, adding new features, fixing bugs, ensuring system security, and improving performance. They often collaborate with the open-source community and hardware manufacturers to ensure compatibility and stability across various platforms. This role requires strong programming skills, especially in C, and a deep understanding of operating system concepts.

What does a Linux Kernel Engineer do?

As a Linux kernel engineer, your responsibilities are to develop company or client operating systems that rely on Linux. Your duties involve writing code and working to test and debug the developments you make to the Linux kernel, which is the main component of a Linux operating system. You may check your code for security and ensure that the system interacts effectively and efficiently with software and applications. You may also work on the customization of the system to meet the needs of your employer or client.

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

To thrive as a Linux Kernel Engineer, you need deep expertise in C programming, operating systems concepts, and a strong understanding of Linux internals, often supported by a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with version control systems (such as Git), kernel debugging tools (like GDB or ftrace), and experience contributing to open-source projects are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective written communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with global developer communities. These skills ensure high-quality kernel development, efficient troubleshooting, and successful integration with the broader open-source ecosystem.

What are some common challenges Linux Kernel Engineers face when working on upstream contributions?

Linux Kernel Engineers often encounter challenges such as navigating complex codebases, adhering to strict coding and documentation standards, and coordinating with a diverse global community of maintainers and contributors. Getting patches accepted upstream requires thorough testing, clear communication, and addressing feedback from reviewers, which can be a time-consuming process. However, this collaborative environment fosters strong professional growth and ensures that engineers are constantly learning from industry experts.

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

AspectLinux Kernel EngineerLinux Device Driver Developer
Required SkillsDeep understanding of Linux kernel internals, C programming, system architectureProficiency in C, hardware interfaces, kernel modules, and device-specific programming
Work EnvironmentSystem-level development, kernel debugging, performance optimizationHardware interaction, driver development, testing on embedded or hardware platforms
Industry UsageOperating system development, open-source projects, enterprise Linux systemsHardware manufacturers, embedded systems, IoT devices
CertificationsLinux Foundation certifications, Linux kernel development coursesSimilar certifications, hardware-specific training

While both roles involve Linux kernel-related work, Linux Kernel Engineers focus on overall kernel development and optimization, whereas Linux Device Driver Developers specialize in creating and maintaining drivers for hardware components. The roles often overlap but differ in scope and focus areas.

More about Linux Kernel Engineer jobs

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What job categories do people searching Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Massachusetts look for?

The top searched job categories for Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Massachusetts are:

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Linux Kernel Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Linux Kernel Engineer job openings in Massachusetts as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,048 per year, or $60.1 per hour.

Principal SDET - Linux Kernel

Premier Global Links

Cambridge, MA • Remote

$150K - $250K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 hours ago

Posted today

Job description

About the Role

Premier Global Links LLC is seeking an experienced Principal Software Development Engineer in Test SDET to lead test strategy, automation, and system-level validation for a highly distributed, Linux-based AI and compute platform.

This is a senior technical leadership opportunity for an engineer who enjoys working at the Linux kernel level, solving complex infrastructure problems, and building scalable automated testing and continuous integration systems.

You will help define quality standards, develop advanced test frameworks, debug low-level system issues, and partner with engineering teams to improve the performance, reliability, and security of large-scale computing infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the overall testing strategy for a custom Linux kernel supporting AI and compute platforms.
  • Design, develop, and scale automated test frameworks for performance, reliability, and security.
  • Build comprehensive test suites for Linux kernel enhancements and support kernel and virtual machine infrastructure upgrades.
  • Develop and maintain continuous integration and automated testing infrastructure.
  • Perform Linux kernel debugging, system-level validation, performance testing, and benchmarking.
  • Troubleshoot complex low-level issues across test, development, and production-like environments.
  • Analyze failures and identify root causes across operating systems, virtualization, networking, storage, and hardware interfaces.
  • Partner with software, systems, infrastructure, and kernel engineering teams to establish and maintain quality standards.
  • Provide technical leadership, guidance, and mentorship to other engineers.
  • Help improve testing methodologies and infrastructure for highly distributed computing environments.

Required Qualifications

  • 12+ years of relevant software engineering, software development, test engineering, or validation experience.
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
  • Strong software development and validation experience using C, particularly in Linux kernel or systems-level environments.
  • Strong programming and scripting skills using Python, Shell, and/or Perl.
  • Deep understanding of Linux kernel internals and system architecture.
  • Hands-on knowledge of KVM and virtualization, Virtio drivers, cgroups, memory management, file systems, block I/O, Ethernet/network drivers, and TCP/IP.
  • Experience with Linux kernel debugging tools and system-level performance analysis.
  • Strong experience with performance benchmarking and reliability testing.
  • Experience designing, developing, or supporting automated testing frameworks and CI/CD or continuous testing infrastructure.
  • Demonstrated ability to diagnose and resolve complex system-level software and infrastructure problems.
  • Strong technical communication and collaboration skills.
  • Ability to provide technical direction and mentor engineers in a distributed environment.
  • Ability to work independently and effectively in a remote, highly technical organization.

Compensation and Benefits

  • Annual bonus or incentive opportunities
  • Equity opportunities
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  • Comprehensive healthcare benefits
  • 401(k) savings plan
  • Paid time off and company holidays
  • Paid sick time
  • Parental and family-friendly benefits
  • Employee assistance program
  • Financial and wellness resources

Actual compensation may vary based on relevant experience, technical skills, qualifications, and work location.

Premier Global Links LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.