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Linux Kernel Engineer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

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Linux Kernel Engineer information

See Minnesota salary details

$10.8K

$112.1K

$126.8K

How much do linux kernel engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for linux kernel engineer in Minnesota is $112,142.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $101,900.00 and $122,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

What is the salary of Linux kernel engineer?

The salary of a Linux kernel engineer typically ranges from $80,000 to $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. Senior engineers with specialized skills in kernel development and performance tuning can earn higher compensation, often including benefits and bonuses.

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.

How much do kernel engineers make?

Kernel engineers typically earn between $80,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of projects. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in C, assembly, or device drivers can command higher salaries, especially in competitive tech markets.

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 engineer makes $500,000 a year?

A senior Linux Kernel Engineer with extensive experience, specialized skills in kernel development, and often working in high-demand industries or companies can earn $500,000 or more annually. Such roles typically require advanced knowledge of C programming, system architecture, and often involve leadership or critical system responsibilities.

Are kernel engineers in demand?

Kernel engineers are in high demand due to the critical role they play in developing and maintaining operating system kernels, especially in areas like embedded systems, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. Skills in C programming, Linux, and system architecture increase employability, and many organizations seek professionals with experience in kernel development and debugging tools.
More about Linux Kernel Engineer jobs
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Linux Kernel Engineer jobs near you
Principal Software Engineer, Robotics

Principal Software Engineer, Robotics

Tennant Company

Golden Valley, MN • On-site

$140K - $188K/yr

Other

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Tennant Company rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

174th of 418 rated machine equipment manufacturers

Job description

With more than $1B in revenue, Tennant Company is a globally recognized leader in the cleaning equipment industry. For the past 150 years, we have been passionate about developing and manufacturing innovative and sustainable solutions for our customers. At Tennant Company, we are committed to stewardship and creating a cleaner, safer and healthier world. With manufacturing, operations and sales, service, and support functions across the globe, your journey at Tennant can take you places you never expected.

At Tennant Company, we're redefining how the world cleans through intelligent, autonomous, and connected machines. Our Robotics Product Development team builds the software brains behind industryleading cleaning robots-and we're looking for a Principal Software Engineer to help shape what's next.

This is a senior technical leadership role for an engineer who thrives at the intersection of embedded systems, machinelevel software, and connected architectures. You'll define and drive the software architectures that power complex robotic platforms-from lowlevel hardware interfaces to secure, connected systems-while mentoring engineers and influencing the technical direction of our robotics portfolio.

Why This Role Matters

As a Principal Software Engineer, you are a technical authority and architect, translating product and business needs into resilient, scalable software systems. Your impact will be visible across multiple generations of robotic products, accelerating development velocity while maintaining technical excellence, safety, and compliance.

Success in this role is measured by:

  • The strength and durability of the software architecture
  • Seamless integration across embedded, mechanical, electrical, and connected systems
  • The ability to guide teams through complexity and ambiguity with clarity and confidence

What You'll Do

Software Architecture & Technical Leadership

  • Own and evolve the software architecture for new and existing autonomous and robotic cleaning machines.
  • Establish architectural direction emphasizing scalability, reuse, performance, maintainability, and security.
  • Act as a technical authority across embedded and connected domains, including collaboration with external partners on thirdparty controllers.
  • Partner with Product Management, Systems Engineering, and other architects to translate portfoliolevel requirements into executable software designs.

Embedded & Platform Software Development

  • Lead development of embedded platforms using C/C++ on Linux and/or RTOS.
  • Provide handson technical leadership in:
    • Board bringup, kernel configuration, and device trees
    • Driver development and hardware abstraction layers
    • Debugging complex hardware/software interfaces
  • Ensure clean integration with controls, electrical, and mechanical subsystems.
  • Guide communication architectures across controllers using CAN, CANOpen, Ethernet, and USB.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

  • Define and promote best practices across embedded, communication, and connected software.
  • Design systems that meet regulatory and compliance requirements for robotics and connected products.
  • Lead programlevel quality initiatives including:
    • Coding standards
    • Architecture and peer reviews
    • Advanced debugging, fault isolation, and root cause analysis

Development Process, Tooling & DevOps

  • Lead software development through the New Product Development (NPD) lifecycle.
  • Balance architectural rigor with execution speed in a fastmoving product environment.
  • Provide leadership across:
    • Requirements management and traceability
    • Source control (Bitbucket)
    • Defect and workflow management (Jira)
    • CI/CD pipelines and automated builds (Azure DevOps)

CrossFunctional Leadership & Mentorship

  • Collaborate closely with Hardware, Systems, Test, and Manufacturing teams from concept through qualification.
  • Lead and participate in design reviews to ensure alignment with systemlevel requirements.
  • Mentor engineers at all levels, raising the technical bar and fostering strong engineering culture.
  • Communicate complex technical concepts effectively to both technical and nontechnical stakeholders.

What You Bring

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Software, or Computer Engineering.
  • Minimum of 7 years of relevant engineering experience with deep expertise in software architecture, design, and implementation.
  • Proven success in senior technical leadership roles influencing architecture and execution across teams.
  • Strong embedded systems experience with Linux or RTOS, using C/C++.
  • Handson experience with requirements management, source control, and defect tracking tools.
  • Demonstrated ability to debug complex systemlevel hardware/software interactions.

Preferred Experience

  • Master's degree in Electrical, Software, or Computer Engineering.
  • Background in robotics, control systems, or power electronics.
  • Experience driving adoption of improved engineering practices at scale.
  • Experience designing and deploying IoT and connected systems, including security and cloud integration (e.g., Azure).

What Sets You Apart

  • A systemlevel mindset with deep technical judgment.
  • Comfort making architectural decisions amid ambiguity.
  • Passion for building resilient, highquality software at scale.
  • A collaborative, mentoring mindset that elevates others.
  • Clear, influential communication across disciplines and leadership levels.

Why Tennant Company?

At Tennant, your work directly impacts realworld automation, sustainability, and safety. You'll collaborate with passionate engineers, influence the direction of autonomous robotics technology, and see your architectures come to life on machines deployed around the world.

Competitive base salary commensurate with experience: $113,600 - 175,700.

Posted salary ranges are made in good faith. Tennant Sales and Service Co. reserves the right to adjust ranges depending on the experience/qualifications of the selected candidate as well as internal and external equity. Total Compensation = Base Salary + Benefits

Benefits = A comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, 401(k), disability, life insurance, paid time off, and voluntary benefits!

Begin your journey with us. Let's reinvent how the world cleans. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

Tennant Company is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made on the basis of individual skill, ability, reliability, productivity, and other factors important to performance. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or any other basis protected by state or federal law or local ordinance.

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