ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Linux Kernel Engineer Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

Nvidia

Software Engineer - DPU Platform

Westford, MA

... device drivers, Linux kernel, and user-space application performance * Knowledge of high ... Strong engineering skills, including technical investigation, building, testing, and agile software ...

Cyvl, Inc

Senior Embedded Systems Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$160K - $250K/yr

You're equally comfortable reading a schematic, writing a Linux kernel driver, and debugging a ... We're looking for a Senior Embedded Systems Engineer to own the design, build, and ...

Nvidia

Senior Software Engineer - DPU Platform

Westford, MA

$127.30K - $167.90K/yr

... drivers, Linux kernel, and user-space application performance * In-depth knowledge of high ... Strong engineering skills, including technical investigation, building, testing, and agile software ...

Jj

Senior Software Engineer

Danvers, MA

$129.50K - $170.80K/yr

... Linux kernel configuration, driver development, and OS image authoring using Yocto/BitBake (or ... Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical ...

Johnson and Johnson

Senior Software Engineer

Danvers, MA · On-site

$129.50K - $170.80K/yr

... Linux kernel configuration, driver development, and OS image authoring using Yocto/BitBake (or ... Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical ...

Johnson & Johnson

Senior Software Engineer

Danvers, MA

$129.50K - $170.80K/yr

... Linux kernel configuration, driver development, and OS image authoring using Yocto/BitBake (or ... Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical ...

Jj

Senior Software Engineer

Danvers, MA

$129.50K - $170.80K/yr

... Linux kernel configuration, driver development, and OS image authoring using Yocto/BitBake (or ... Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical ...

STR

Lead Software Developer

Woburn, MA · On-site

$157K - $223K/yr

As Lead Software Developer, you will work with a team to design, implement, and test systems ... Linux kernel level modules and device driver development * Knowledge of real-time multi-threaded ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

People also search for

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 May 31, 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?

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
What are popular job titles related to Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Massachusetts? For Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Massachusetts, the most frequently searched job titles are:
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:
What are popular job titles related to Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in MA? For Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Linux Kernel Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Linux Kernel Engineer job openings in Massachusetts as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 80% In-person, 10% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,048 per year, or $60.1 per hour.

Senior Staff Embedded Linux Software Engineer

Bostondynamics

Waltham, MA

$151.28K - $192.89K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

As a Senior Staff Software Engineer on the Spot team, you will be part of a highly collaborative group that is passionate about innovation - and of course, robots! In this role, you will define and create key software infrastructure components which lets our robots operate in a performant, reliable, secure, and scalable fashion. You'll work closely with other software developers, hardware developers, and product managers to deliver great robots to our customers.

Day to Day activities:

  • Create toolchains for building, verifying, and deploying system images across a variety of computer architectures.

  • Address systems performance issues: Debug issues encountered in the field, build instrumentation and diagnostic tools, and architect high-performance infrastructure components such as IPC systems or process/thread scheduling approaches.

  • Enable new hardware innovations: Derisk designs during early phases, create overall software system architecture, and create device drivers or kernel support where needed.

  • Ensure the security of our products using techniques like Secure Boot, Disk Encryption, Process Sandboxing, and Access Controls.

  • Communicate designs and best practices across the broader organization.

  • Mentor junior engineers and share your expertise.

Required Skills:

  • Linux expertise - at both kernel and user spaces. You should have a deep understanding of processes, threads, interrupt handling, file systems, IPC mechanisms, memory management, systemd, and other components.

  • 8+ years of prior software development in C/C++, as well as shell scripting or Python.

  • Excellent debugging skills - both overall methodology as well as knowledge of available tools.

  • Performance optimization of systems.

Desired Skills:

  • Embedded Linux and Real Time Linux experience.

  • Working knowledge of hardware-accelerated compute pipelines (GPUs, ML accelerators, DSPs, etc)

  • Experience with common hardware protocols such as PCIe, Ethernet, I2C, SPI, etc.

  • Hardware bring-up and debugging, including the ability to read schematics/datasheets and use common tools.

"We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas for this position."

The base pay range for this position is between $151,284.34 to $192,887 annually. Base pay will depend on multiple individualized factors including, but not limited to internal equity, job related knowledge, skills and experience. This range represents a good faith estimate of compensation at the time of posting. Boston Dynamics offers a generous Benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401(k), paid time off and a annual bonus structure. Additional details regarding these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer for employment.

Apply