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Linux Kernel Engineer Jobs in Santa Clara, CA (NOW HIRING)

Zealogics Inc

HPC engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

Zealogics Inc is seeking an HPC Engineer. The primary responsibilities include maintaining and ... Linux kernel, windows server. • HPC Operating System Installation/provision - Windows Server ...

Fortinet

Principal Software Developer Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$157K - $211K/yr

M.S. preferred • Strong C/C++ experience in Unix/Linux environment is essential • Strong knowledge of Linux kernel programming, including system calls and custom device drivers • Experience ...

Waymo

Sr Software Engineer, Telematics

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$204K - $259K/yr

Work on a small team of System Software and Linux Kernel Engineers to design, develop, and deploy production-grade system software components for driverless vehicles, from initial prototyping through ...

Waymo

Sr Software Engineer, Telematics

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$204K - $259K/yr

Work on a small team of System Software and Linux Kernel Engineers to design, develop, and deploy production-grade system software components for driverless vehicles, from initial prototyping through ...

Zealogics.com

HPC engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

HPC Rack, Build, cable, configure, and provision Linux kernel, windows server. * HPC Operating ... Programming language: Python, Shell * Virtualization and containerization * Computer network

Nvidia

System Software Engineering Lead

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

NVIDIA is searching for a highly motivated, creative engineer with direct experience in Linux kernel mode drivers to help us deliver on the future of GPU driver software.This is a rare opportunity to ...

MatX

BMC Firmware Engineer

Mountain View, CA

$175K - $362K/yr

Write and bring up Linux kernel drivers and D-Bus/sdbusplus services; debug across the hardware ... Rust for systems programming Compensation The US base salary for this full-time position is ...

MatX

BMC Firmware Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$175K - $362K/yr

Write and bring up Linux kernel drivers and D-Bus/sdbusplus services; debug across the hardware ... Rust for systems programming Compensation The US base salary for this full-time position is ...

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All JobsLinux Kernel Engineer JobsLinux Kernel Engineer Jobs in Santa Clara, CA

Linux Kernel Engineer information

See Santa Clara, CA salary details

$12.8K

$133.4K

$150.9K

How much do linux kernel engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for linux kernel engineer in Santa Clara, CA is $133,429.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $121,200.00 and $145,700.00 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 Santa Clara, CA? The most popular types of Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA? For Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA are:
What cities near Santa Clara, CA are hiring for Linux Kernel Engineer jobs? Cities near Santa Clara, CA with the most Linux Kernel Engineer job openings:
Linux Kernel Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Linux Kernel Engineer job openings in Santa Clara, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,429 per year, or $64.1 per hour.

Sr. Hypervisor/Linux Kernel Developer - Software Platform

NIO USA, INC

San Jose, CA • On-site

$63.75 - $84.50/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

About NIO

NIO Inc. is a pioneer and a leading company in the global smart electric vehicle market. Founded in November 2014, NIO aspires to shape a sustainable and brighter future with the mission of “Blue Sky Coming”.

NIO envisions itself as a user enterprise where innovative technology meets experience excellence. NIO designs, develops, manufactures and sells smart electric vehicles, driving innovations in next-generation core technologies. NIO distinguishes itself through continuous technological breakthroughs and innovations, exceptional products and services, and a community for shared growth.

NIO provides premium smart electric vehicles under the NIO brand, premium smart electric vehicles for families through the ONVO brand, and small smart high-end electric cars with the FIREFLY brand.


About the Position
 
This role is ideal for an experienced kernel or hypervisor engineer who wants to work hands-on with the foundations of NIO’s in-vehicle compute platform. You will join the core system software team behind SkyOS-H, NIO’s in-house hypervisor, and other SkyOS variants — contributing from architecture design to production deployment in next-generation intelligent vehicles.
  • Hypervisor & Kernel Performance at Scale
You’ll work on low-level system software designed for real-time, high-efficiency, and safety-critical automotive environments. This includes optimizing latency and throughput, refining vIRQ handling, improving cache and memory subsystem efficiency (SMMU, coherency, and paging), and leveraging Arm V8 virtualization extensions (VHE). You will contribute to hypervisor scheduling, partition isolation, and secure domain management to achieve automotive-grade determinism and performance on modern SoCs.
  • End-to-End Impact & Intelligent Vehicle Systems
From early architecture exploration to kernel integration, driver development, validation, and production rollout — your work will directly power live vehicle systems. You’ll enable mission-critical domains such as AD/ADAS compute, sensor fusion, and secure boot/trusted execution (TrustZone, OP-TEE).
In collaboration with AI and cloud teams, you’ll also support emerging LLM-based intelligent copilots and in-vehicle assistants, where hypervisor-level performance and scheduling directly enhance on-vehicle AI responsiveness. This role offers a rare opportunity to build real products that blend operating systems, virtualization, and intelligence at the edge — all within a fast-moving automotive environment.
Responsibilities
  • Develop and execute a microkernel-based operating system and hypervisor tailored for diverse on-vehicle applications in autonomous driving vehicles.
  • Analyze and enhance operating system functionalities for real-time performance, high efficiency, security, and functional safety.
  • Collaborate with the team to discuss and refine designs and implementations.
  • Lead through demonstration, serving as both a mentor and a mentee to foster team growth and knowledge sharing.
Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
  • 1+ years of experience in embedded systems or low-level system software development.
  • Strong coding skills in C, ARM assembly, and in-line assembly.
  • Deep understanding of Arm V8 architecture: GIC, SMMU, cache hierarchy, and Arm Virtualization Host Extensions (VHE).
  • Proficiency in Git, C/C++, Python, and object-oriented programming.
  • Experience with Linux kernel development or driver subsystems.
  • Knowledge of embedded system security: Arm TrustZone, OP-TEE, Secure Boot.
  • Ability to thrive and contribute effectively within a global, cross-functional engineering team.
Benefits

Along with competitive pay, as a full-time NIO employee, you are eligible for the following benefits on the first day you join NIO:

  • Anthem PPO, HSA, and Kaiser HMO medical plans with $0 for Employee Only Coverage.  

  • Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plan.  Both provide options with a $0 paycheck contribution covering you and your eligible dependents.

  • Company Paid HSA (Health Savings Account) Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible CIGNA medical plan

  • Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

  • 401(k) with Brokerage Link option

  • Company paid Basic Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance

  • Employee Assistance Program

  • Sick and Vacation time

  • 13 Paid Holidays a year

  • Paid Parental Leave for first 8 weeks at full pay (eligible after 90 days of employment with NIO)

  • Paid Disability Leave for first 6 weeks at full pay (eligible after 90 days of employment with NIO)

  • Voluntary benefits including: Voluntary Life and AD&D options for you, your spouse/domestic partner and dependent child(ren), pet insurance

  • Commuter benefits

  • Mobile Cell Phone Credit

  • Healthjoy mobile benefit app supporting you and your dependents with benefit questions on the go & support with benefit billing questions

  • Free lunch and snacks

  • Onsite gym

  • Employee discounts and perks program

Compensation
The US base salary range for this full-time position is $163,500.00 - $212,400.00.

  • Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

  • Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only. It does not include discretionary bonus, equity, or benefits.

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.