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

Perform low-level kernel configuration and tuning to meet the strict latency requirements of ... in Embedded Linux or Systems Engineering. * Demonstrated experience shipping and maintaining a ...

Senior Platform Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$103K - $142K/yr

... as the Linux kernel or other high-profile projects Education/Qualifications BA/BS or MA/MS degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science or Computer Engineering We may use artificial ...

Embedded Software Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$134K - $215K/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 ...

Embedded Software Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$134K - $215K/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 ...

Embedded Software Engineer

Austin, TX

$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 ...

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 · 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 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 ...

Senior GPU Systems & Fabric Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site +1

$103K - $141K/yr

This role requires deep expertise in Linux kernel internals, GPU architectures, and high-speed ... Collaborate with the Scheduling and Storage engineering teams to ensure topology-aware placement ...

New

As a Linux Systems Engineer, you will deploy, manage, and maintain a large fleet of Linux systems ... kernel - and drive resolution Contribute to CI/CD pipelines, revision control workflows, and ...

Showing results 41-60

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 Aug 22, 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 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,466 per year, or $54.6 per hour.

Staff Software Engineer, Embedded Radio Software and Connectivity

General Motors

Austin, TX • On-site

$130K - $171K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago


General Motors rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

General Motors

Based on 306 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Automakers average

Based on 6,298 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description


Hybrid: This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to Austin, TX three times per week, at minimum.
The Role
General Motors is seeking a highly skilled and experienced professional to join our team as a Staff Software Engineer, Embedded Radio Software and Connectivity. As a global leader in the automotive industry, General Motors is committed to delivering high-quality vehicles that exceed customer expectations. This role will be instrumental in the bring-up of next-generation automotive computing platforms, focusing on Linux kernel development, radio and connectivity protocols, low-level system integration, diagnostics, and health monitoring for our in-vehicle infotainment and embedded radio systems.
What You'll Do
• Develop and enhance Linux kernel and device drivers, including those for multimedia subsystems and networking (WLAN, LAN, BLE, BT5.0).
• Lead system bring-up activities, including bootloader configuration, board support package (BSP) development, and low-level debugging.
• Integrate and optimize hardware components, including USB, PCIe, I2C-connected peripherals, and Ethernet interfaces to ensure seamless operation within our embedded software stack.
• Develop and implement diagnostics and health monitoring solutions, ensuring system reliability, predictive maintenance, and fault detection in critical automotive systems.
• Analyze and troubleshoot low-level system issues, particularly in high-speed data buses and network connectivity.
• Support manufacturing and production processes, including hardware validation, firmware flashing, and end-of-line testing to ensure smooth integration of software into production vehicles.
• Work closely with hardware teams to validate and debug platform issues, ensuring optimal hardware-software interaction.
• Define Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) and work towards continuously improving software stability, performance, and maintainability.
Additional Job Description
Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)
• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in embedded Linux kernel development, device driver programming, and board bring-up.
• Experience in working with different connected system bring-up like BLE, UWB.
• Strong experience with BSP development, bootloaders (e.g., U-Boot), custom boot policies and firmware integration.
• Deep knowledge of communication protocols such as UART, PCIe, I2C, SPI, CAN, Ethernet.
• Experience with Ethernet interfaces (WLAN, LAN), network protocols, and peripheral devices (GNSS, RTC).
• Expertise in embedded RTOS (Linux, QNX, FreeRTOS, OSEX, etc.) kernel internals, including memory management, scheduling, file systems, and IPC mechanisms.
• Proficiency in diagnostics, health monitoring, and fault detection for embedded systems.
• Familiarity with manufacturing and production support and diagnostics, including hardware validation, firmware flashing, and end-of-line testing.
• Proficiency in low-level debugging tools (e.g., JTAG, GDB, ftrace, kdump, perf).
• Experience with SoC architectures (NXP, Qualcomm) and hardware interaction at the register level.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to analyze complex system issues across software and hardware domains.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
Benefits: GM offers a variety of health and wellbeing benefit programs. Benefit options include medical, dental, vision, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Accounts, retirement savings plan, sickness and accident benefits, life insurance, paid vacation & holidays, tuition assistance programs, employee assistance program, GM vehicle discounts and more.
This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.
Company Vehicle: Upon successful completion of a motor vehicle report review, you will be eligible to participate in a company vehicle evaluation program, through which you will be assigned a General Motors vehicle to drive and evaluate. Note: program participants are required to purchase/lease a qualifying GM vehicle every four years unless one of a limited number of exceptions applies.
#LI-IW1
About GM
Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.
Why Join Us
We aspire to be the most inclusive company in the world. We believe we all must make a choice every day - individually and collectively - to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Our Work Appropriately philosophy supports our foundation of inclusion and provides employees the flexibility to work where they can have the greatest impact on achieving our goals, dependent on role needs. Every day, we want every employee, no matter their background, ethnicity, preferences, or location, to feel they belong to one General Motors team.
Benefits Overview
The goal of the General Motors total rewards program is to support the health and well-being of you and your family. Our comprehensive compensation plan incudes, the following benefits, in addition to many others:
• Paid time off including vacation days, holidays, and parental leave for mothers, fathers and adoptive parents;
• Healthcare (including a triple tax advantaged health savings account and wellness incentive), dental, vision and life insurance plans to cover you and your family;
• Company and matching contributions to 401K savings plan to help you save for retirement;
• Global recognition program for peers and leaders to recognize and be recognized for results and behaviors that reflect our company values;
• Tuition assistance and student loan refinancing;
• Discount on GM vehicles for you, your family and friends.
Diversity Information
General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that workforce diversity creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers. We understand and embrace the variety through which people gain experiences whether through professional, personal, educational, or volunteer opportunities. GM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications and apply for any positions that match your skills and capabilities.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statements
GM is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. GM is committed to providing a work environment free from unlawful discrimination and advancing equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, all practices and decisions relating to terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment are made without regard to an individual's protected characteristics. For purposes of this policy, "protected characteristics" include an individual's actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, weight, height, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us at Careers.Accommodations@GM.com or call us at 800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

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About General Motors

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

General Motors is a company with global scale and capabilities, headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, with employees around the world. The company employs over 165,000 people, serves six continents, operates across 22 time zones, and has a diverse workforce speaking 75 languages1. GM’s vision is to drive the world forward by pioneering innovations that move and connect people to what matters. The company is working towards an all-electric future with its new Ultium Platform and is pushing transportation options beyond our wildest imaginations with autonomous vehicles. GM is also committed to becoming the most inclusive company in the world.

Industry

Transportation equipment manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Detroit, MI, US

Year founded

1908