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Linux Kernel Engineer Jobs in Ontario (NOW HIRING)

Experience with Linux kernel development is considered an asset DECISION MAKING & SUPERVISION: * This role has no direct reports, but will work and interact with multi-disciplinary engineering teams.

Software Developer (C/C++)

Ottawa, ON ยท On-site

CA$117K - CA$143K/yr

Fortinet is growing and we are looking to hire a Software Engineer to join our team in Ottawa. At ... Knowledge of Linux kernel and Linux security applications a bonus. * Proficiency with Linux ...

Software Developer (C/C++)

Ottawa, ON ยท On-site

CA$117K - CA$143K/yr

Fortinet is growing and we are looking to hire a Software Engineer to join our team in Ottawa. At ... Knowledge of Linux kernel and Linux security applications a bonus. * Proficiency with Linux ...

We allow developers to, with no modifications to their code, transform existing mobile apps into ... kernel, HAL, SurfaceFlinger, System Services, GMS, Android Build System). * Android/Linux graphics ...

We allow developers to, with no modifications to their code, transform existing mobile apps into ... kernel, HAL, SurfaceFlinger, System Services, GMS, Android Build System). * Android/Linux graphics ...

Industry experience with device driver and kernel side development. * Strong understanding of ... Experience with developing commercial/enterprise-level software and firmware on Linux. * Experience ...

Linux, Unix, Windows, git What You'll Do * Design, build, and improve database connectors with a ... Experience in systems-level engineering, including kernel, drivers, networking, or protocol ...

Showing results 21-40

Linux Kernel Engineer information

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.

What are popular job titles related to Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Ontario?

For Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Ontario, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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

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

What are popular job titles related to Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in ON?

For Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in ON, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Linux Kernel Engineer job openings in Ontario as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution.

Senior / Staff Software Engineer (Observability / SRE)

Waabi

Toronto, ON โ€ข On-site, Remote

CA$148K - CA$249K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

Waabi, founded by AI visionary Raquel Urtasun, is the leader in Physical AI. With a world-class team, we're unlocking the next era of autonomous transportation with technology that's powering commercial autonomous trucks and robotaxis. Waabi is backed by and partners with world leaders in AI, automotive, logistics, and deep tech.

With offices in Toronto, San Francisco, Dallas, and Pittsburgh, Waabi is growing quickly and looking for diverse, innovative and collaborative candidates who want to impact the world in a positive way. To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai

You will..
- Design and lead the architecture and development of Waabi's monitoring and observability stack, used to monitor the health and performance of cloud and on-prem environments.
- Develop and extend workloads and benchmarks (compute, storage, network, ML/AI) and integrate stress, chaos, and regression tests to validate hardware and platform choices.
- Analyze and optimize end-to-end performance across hardware, firmware, Linux kernel, runtimes, and distributed services using advanced profiling tools (perf, eBPF, flamegraphs, tracing frameworks).
- Build automation and observability tooling (Go/Python/Java, Kubernetes/Docker) for CI/CD-based performance regression detection, telemetry, alerting, and anomaly detection.
- Work with client teams to support their applications' observability requirements.
- Influence system architecture and tooling decisions that improve how Waabi builds, monitors, and scales its infrastructure.
- Drive execution and quality, writing design docs, setting milestones, mentoring ICs, and communicating insights and results to stakeholders and leadership.
ย 
Qualifications:
- 5+ years software engineering or systems/performance engineering experience (BS in CS/EE or related), with demonstrated end-to-end ownership of complex projects.
- Proficient in at least one of: Python, Rust, C/C++; strong CS fundamentals and system design skills.
- Hands-on with Linux internals (CPU scheduling, memory, I/O, networking) and perf tooling (perf, eBPF, flamegraphs, tracing frameworks).
- Experience with Kubernetes, microservices, and distributed systems; comfort building production services and pipelines.
- Proven track record of clear communication, writing design docs, and leading cross-functional efforts.
ย 
Bonus:
- Experience deploying and managing observability platforms (OpenTelemetry, Grafana OSS).
- Performance tuning for databases/streaming/batch/ML platforms; GPU/xPU or Arm performance exposure.
- Experience tuning stream processing, batch or ML platforms (e.g. Argo Workflows, PyTorch).
- Familiarity with microservices debugging and distributed tracing (OpenTelemetry, Prometheus).
The US yearly salary range for this role is: $148,000 - $249,000 USD in addition to competitive perks & benefits. Waabi (US) Inc.'s yearly salary ranges are determined based on several factors in accordance with the Company's compensation practices. The salary base range is reflective of the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations.ย  Note: The Company provides additional compensation for employees in this role, including equity incentive awards and an annual performance bonus.

Perks/Benefits:
- Competitive compensation and equity awards.
- Health and Wellness benefits encompassing Medical, Dental and Vision coverage (for full-time employees only).
- Unlimited Vacation.
- Flexible hours and Work from Home support.
- Daily drinks, snacks and catered meals (when in office).
- Regularly scheduled team building activities and social events both on-site, off-site & virtually.
- As we grow, this list continues to evolve!ย 

Waabi is a technology start-up building technologies to transform the way the world moves. Join our talented team to be a part of the future and to make an impact!

Waabi is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a supportive, inclusive, and accessible workplace for all our employees. We seek applicants of all backgrounds and identities, across race, color, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, citizenship, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or parental status, caregiver status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. We make workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please let our recruiting team know.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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