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Linux Kernel Engineer Jobs in Minneapolis, MN (NOW HIRING)

LRS

Senior Systems Engineer

Minneapolis, MN

$50 - $80/hr

Fulcrum Consulting, an LRS company, is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer with our client in ... Linux Kernel Systemd LVM File Systems (XFS, EXT4) Networking (TCP/IP, DNS, SSH, NFS) IT Service ...

NxT Level

C++ Developer

Eden Prairie, MN · On-site

$50 - $67.25/hr

... in Linux kernel development is a must - Strong familiarity with the software development life cycle, computer science fundamentals, and object-oriented design principles - Excellent communication ...

NxT Level

C++ Developer

Eden Prairie, MN · On-site

$50 - $67.25/hr

... in Linux kernel development is a must - Strong familiarity with the software development life cycle, computer science fundamentals, and object-oriented design principles - Excellent communication ...

Entrust Corporation

Sr Firmware Engineer

Shakopee, MN · On-site

$104.54 - $153.33/hr

Experience in Linux kernel development. * Experience in one or more of the following areas: Motor ... Exhibits good engineering judgment and decision making. * Proficiency using AI tools to assist with ...

Entrust Corp.

Sr Firmware Engineer

Shakopee, MN · On-site

$127K - $168K/yr

Experience in Linux kernel development. * Experience in one or more of the following areas * Motor ... Exhibits good engineering judgment and decision making. * Proficiency using AI tools to assist with ...

Entrust Datacard

Sr Firmware Engineer

Shakopee, MN · On-site

$127K - $168K/yr

Experience in Linux kernel development. * Experience in one or more of the following areas * Motor ... Exhibits good engineering judgment and decision making. * Proficiency using AI tools to assist with ...

Socket.dev

Senior Embedded Engineer

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

... Senior Engineer for NVIDIA Linux (Ubuntu) medical device hardening and OTA updates who is ... Proven background in Linux system hardening (kernel config, services, filesystem, networking)

New

Socket.dev

Sr. Firmware Engineer

Saint Paul, MN · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

Experience supporting engineering labs or IT infrastructure * Familiarity with kernel modules or low-level Linux development Work Environment The work environment for this role typically involves a ...

Ecolab

Principal Platform Engineer

Saint Paul, MN

Proficiency in operating systems including SUSE Linux and Windows for SAP deployments * Experience ... kernel upgrades, OSS note implementation, printer administration, system refresh activities

Ecolab

Principal Platform Engineer

Saint Paul, MN · On-site

Proficiency in operating systems including SUSE Linux and Windows for SAP deployments * Experience ... kernel upgrades, OSS note implementation, printer administration, system refresh activities

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsLinux Kernel Engineer JobsLinux Kernel Engineer Jobs in Minneapolis, MN

Linux Kernel Engineer information

See Minneapolis, MN salary details

$11.5K

$119.5K

$135.2K

How much do linux kernel engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for linux kernel engineer in Minneapolis, MN is $119,516.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $108,600.00 and $130,500.00 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 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 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.

More about Linux Kernel Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Minneapolis, MN? The most popular types of Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Minneapolis, MN are:
What are popular job titles related to Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Minneapolis, MN? For Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Minneapolis, MN, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Minneapolis, MN look for? The top searched job categories for Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Minneapolis, MN are:
Linux Kernel Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Linux Kernel Engineer job openings in Minneapolis, MN as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,516 per year, or $57.5 per hour.

Linux Operating System Engineer

Horizontal Talent

Minneapolis, MN

$33 - $68/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

We’re looking for an experienced Linux Operating System Engineer to support and improve enterprise Linux infrastructure across on-premises data centers and AWS environments. This role offers the opportunity to work on RHEL 8 systems, automation, troubleshooting, security, and service management in a collaborative, fast-moving environment.

Responsibilities
  • Administer, maintain, and support Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 servers across on-premises and AWS environments.
  • Handle server provisioning, configuration, patching, upgrades, and ongoing lifecycle management.
  • Monitor system performance, capacity, and availability, and take proactive steps to support SLA goals.
  • Investigate and resolve complex issues related to Linux OS, applications, storage, and networking.
  • Support Linux hardening, access management, security patching, vulnerability remediation, and compliance activities.
  • Manage AWS Linux workloads, including EC2, EBS, VPC, IAM, CloudWatch, and Auto Scaling components.
  • Develop and maintain automation using Bash, Python, Perl, or Ansible to improve operational efficiency.
  • Collaborate with infrastructure, application, database, network, and security teams to support business services.
  • Assist with backup, recovery, disaster recovery, and high-availability processes.
  • Use ITIL-based processes and ServiceNow for incidents, changes, problems, requests, and related service management activities.
  • Create and update technical documentation, operational procedures, and knowledge base content.
  • Participate in on-call support and major incident response as needed.
Skills
  • 5+ years of Linux system administration experience.
  • Strong hands-on experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux, especially RHEL 8.
  • Experience supporting enterprise Linux environments at scale.
  • Practical AWS experience supporting Linux workloads in cloud environments.
  • Working knowledge of EC2, EBS, VPC, IAM, CloudWatch, and Auto Scaling.
  • Automation and scripting experience with Bash, Python, Perl, or Ansible.
  • Solid troubleshooting skills across Linux kernel, systemd, LVM, file systems, networking, DNS, SSH, and NFS.
  • Understanding of ITIL practices and service management workflows.
  • Experience using ServiceNow for incident, change, problem, and request management.
  • Ability to analyze logs, identify root causes, and resolve performance or availability issues.
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills.
Preferred Skills
  • Experience working in both on-premises and cloud-based infrastructure environments.
  • Familiarity with enterprise security, compliance, and vulnerability remediation practices.
  • Experience supporting backup, recovery, disaster recovery, or high-availability solutions.
  • Experience creating clear technical documentation and knowledge base articles.
  • Comfort working in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.

Horizontal is committed to fostering a workplace rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion, where every team member is respected, supported, and empowered to contribute. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage qualified candidates to apply.

By applying for this position, you acknowledge and agree that Horizontal Talent may contact you regarding your application using automated technology, including phone calls, SMS/text messages, or email, which may be delivered by our virtual AI recruiter, Alex.


Please apply through this online posting or by visiting our Job Board at www.horizontaltalent.com/job-board. Applications will be accepted for 4 weeks. For those that join the team, we offer competitive compensation and benefits including medical, dental, vision, and retirement. Check out all we have to offer and how you can become part of the Horizontal Talent Team. The pay range for this role is $33 - $68 per hour based on qualifications and experience.

Apply