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Linux Kernel Engineer Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

Drive upstream contributions to the OpenSBI, KVM and Linux kernel, ensuring long-term ... Collaborate with hardware engineers to enable software stack on silicon and emulation platforms ...

Embedded Software Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$130K - $171K/yr

Configure, customize, and integrate the Linux kernel and embedded bootloaders (e.g., U-Boot ... Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fieldStrong verbal and written communication ...

New

Embedded Software Enginner

Austin, TX · On-site

$130K - $171K/yr

Major electronics systems design company is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer with Linux ALSA kernel device driver experience. In this position you will be responsible for defining and leading ...

Embedded Software Enginner

Austin, TX

$130K - $171K/yr

Major electronics systems design company is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer with Linux ALSA kernel device driver experience. In this position you will be responsible for defining and leading ...

Embedded Software Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$130K - $171K/yr

With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our ... Develop and maintain Linux kernel drivers for Jetson-based platforms, supporting Ethernet NICs, USB ...

Showing results 21-40

Linux Kernel Engineer information

See Austin, TX salary details

$10.9K

$113.5K

$128.3K

How much do linux kernel engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for linux kernel engineer in Austin, TX is $113,466.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $103,100.00 and $123,900.00 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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Austin, TX?

The most popular types of Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Austin, TX are:

What job categories do people searching Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Austin, TX look for?

The top searched job categories for Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Austin, TX are:

Infographic showing various Linux Kernel Engineer job openings in Austin, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,493 per year, or $54.6 per hour.

Software Engineer, Graviton Software, Annapurna Labs

Austin, TX

Amazon
IT Services • 10K+ employees

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago


Amazon rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 7,173 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

The AWS Graviton Software team is seeking Software Engineers to optimize performance for AWS Graviton.
Graviton delivers the best price/performance in AWS data centers. For the past 3 years, Graviton has powered the majority of new EC2 capacity and is used by over 90% of our largest customers.
You'll drive performance optimization across open source projects, internal services, and customer applications, working on everything from Linux kernel development to C++/Rust debugging to assembly-level optimization. Our team optimizes a diverse range of applications including databases, web services, games, video encoding, ML, and HPC workloads.
This doesn't mean you have or will have all those skills, but you'll have a chance to learn from those who do

This is a unique opportunity to impact how software runs in AWS, while growing your technical breadth and depth.
Key job responsibilities
As a Graviton Software Developer, you will:
Performance Optimization & Analysis
Enhance architectures and algorithms for optimal performance
Use tools like Aperf, sysstat, sysctl, perf to identify bottlenecks
Monitor and analyze processor, OS, and workload metrics
Optimize software performance for AWS customers and AWS services (such as S3, Lambda, EMR, ElastiCache, RDS ..etc)
Open Source Development
Contribute to Linux kernel improvements
Contribute to various other open source projects
Develop analysis frameworks and automation systems
Tool(s) Development
Enhance APerf (our open-source Rust-based performance tool)
Create new performance analysis features
Build and maintain automation solutions
The role offers opportunities to work on latest CPU technology while contributing to both AWS and the open source community.
About the team
Annapurna Labs, part of AWS, created Graviton as a strategic ARM-based CPU initiative to revolutionize cloud computing at Amazon scale. Graviton instances deliver superior performance, cost efficiency, and reduced carbon footprint compared to traditional x86 solutions. The Graviton Software organization drives customer and internal team migrations to Graviton by optimizing and stabilizing software ecosystems, contributing to open source projects (including Linux kernel, operating systems, compilers, libraries, and ML frameworks), developing automated services, and maintaining public documentation

Our work enables AWS customers and Amazon teams to leverage Graviton's advantages in performance, cost, stability, and energy efficiency.


What Amazon employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


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About Amazon

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Amazon.com, Inc., commonly known as Amazon, is an American multinational technology company. It was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 and initially started as an online marketplace for books. Since then, Amazon has expanded its operations and become one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. Amazon's primary business is its online retail platform, where customers can purchase a vast array of products, including electronics, clothing, books, home goods, and much more. The company offers a convenient and user-friendly shopping experience, with features such as fast shipping, customer reviews, and personalized recommendations. In addition to its e-commerce platform, Amazon has diversified its business into various other areas. One of its notable ventures is Amazon Web Services (AWS), a comprehensive cloud computing platform that provides services such as storage, compute power, and database management to individuals and businesses. AWS has become a leader in the cloud computing industry, powering many websites and applications worldwide. Amazon has also developed its own consumer electronics, including the popular Amazon Kindle e-reader, Fire tablets, Fire TV streaming devices, and the Alexa-powered Echo smart speakers. The Alexa voice assistant, integrated into these devices, allows users to interact with their devices using voice commands, perform tasks, and access information. Furthermore, Amazon has expanded into media and entertainment. It operates Prime Video, a streaming service that offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, and original content. Amazon Music provides a platform for streaming and purchasing digital music, while Audible offers audiobooks and other audio content. The company's commitment to customer satisfaction and convenience is demonstrated by its membership program, Amazon Prime. Prime members receive various benefits, including free two-day shipping, access to streaming services, exclusive deals, and more.

Industry

It services, book publishers, retail, real estate, computer and electronic product manufacturing and software development

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Seattle, WA, US