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Linux Kernel Engineer Jobs in Ontario (NOW HIRING)

Parallelz

Principal Graphics Engineer

Toronto, ON

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 ...

Tenstorrent

System Management Tools Engineer

Toronto, ON · Hybrid

CA$100K - CA$500K/yr

You are comfortable working in Linux development environments, including builds, packaging, systemd ... kernel, validation, and manufacturing teams. What we need * Build and maintain system management ...

Able Innovations

HMI Developer

Toronto, ON

HMI Developer (HD2605) Location: Toronto, ON Type: Full-time, In-office Vacancy : Existing Start ... Strong experience in development for Embedded Linux distributions; including kernel development

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Linux Kernel Engineer information

See Ontario salary details

$57.5K

$148.9K

$195K

How much do linux kernel engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for linux kernel engineer in Ontario is $148,882.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $128,500.00 and $171,000.00 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 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:
Linux Kernel Engineer jobs near you

Member of Technical Staff (Infrastructure)

MLabs

Toronto, ON

CA$180K - CA$225K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Location: Toronto, CA

On-site | Full-time

Compensation: 130K-170K (CA$180K - CA$225K)

We are hiring on behalf of our client who is an innovative infrastructure provider building open-source browser solutions specifically designed for AI agents and applications. The platform enables developers to deploy AI products that interact seamlessly with the web through a high-performance Sessions API. Having experienced 50x growth in the past year and serving millions of sessions monthly, the organization is backed by premier investors and maintains a significant open-source presence.

The organization is seeking highly skilled engineers to design, build, and maintain the novel, high-performance systems that power the platform. This role involves solving complex problems at the intersection of browser technology and cloud infrastructure, such as orchestrating millions of sessions across global regions with sub-second cold starts and engineering VM snapshotting for near-instant state restoration.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and maintain high-performance, large-scale distributed systems.
  • Architect and implement VM snapshotting technologies to restore full browser states in under one second.
  • Analyze kernel traces and system performance to optimize the core Sessions API.
  • Manage and orchestrate browser sessions across multiple regions with a focus on sub-second cold starts.
  • Work extensively with VMs, proxies, caches, task queues, and orchestration systems.
  • Design and deploy observability and CI/CD stacks from the ground up.
  • Contribute to meaningful architecture decisions and system design rather than simply implementing provided specifications.

Requirements

    • E4+ years writing high-quality, production code
    • Experience building and operating high-performance, large-scale distributed systems (battle scars welcome)
    • Strong cloud infrastructure skills (AWS, GCP)
    • Strong knowledge of OS foundations - Linux kernel, file systems, containers, etc
    • Track record in performance optimization (we love a good "shaved 5ms" story)
    • Able to work in-person from our Toronto office
    • Rust experience is a plus, not a requirement

Benefits

  • Compensation: Competitive salary ranging from CA$180,000 to CA$225,000.
  • Equity: Meaningful equity stake between 0.25% and 1%.
  • Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families, plus gym membership subsidies.
  • Equipment: Provision of a brand-new laptop and professional workstation setup.
  • Culture: Regular team events, off-sites, and the opportunity to work in a high-talent-density environment.
  • Impact: Direct exposure to innovative AI companies transforming industries such as healthcare, supply chain, and finance.

Interview Process

The selection process is designed to be rigorous yet efficient, consisting of the following stages:

Initial Screen: A 30-minute introductory interview with a member of the executive leadership team.

Technical Interview: A deep-dive system design interview conducted by the CTO.

Technical Assignment: A coding-focused session with a founding engineer.

Final Round: A comprehensive one-day on-site interview at the Toronto office.

Due to the high volume of applications we anticipate, we regret that we are unable to provide individual feedback to all candidates. If you do not hear back from us within 4 weeks of your application, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion. We genuinely appreciate your interest and wish you the best in your job search.

Commitment to Equality and Accessibility:

At MLabs, we are committed to offer equal opportunities to all candidates. We ensure no discrimination, accessible job adverts, and providing information in accessible formats. Our goal is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace with equal opportunities for all. If you need any reasonable adjustments during any part of the hiring process or you would like to see the job-advert in an accessible format please let us know at the earliest opportunity by emailing human-resources@mlabs.city.

MLabs Ltd collects and processes the personal information you provide such as your contact details, work history, resume, and other relevant data for recruitment purposes only. This information is managed securely in accordance with MLabs Ltd's Privacy Policy and Information Security Policy, and in compliance with applicable data protection laws. Your data may be shared only with clients and trusted partners where necessary for recruitment purposes. You may request the deletion of your data or withdraw your consent at any time by contacting legal@mlabs.city.

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