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Linux Kernel Engineer Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

HPC Performance Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site +1

$165K - $242K/yr

Linux Kernel (custom build), Ubuntu * Intel/AMD/ARM CPUs, Nvidia GPUs, DPUs, Infiniband and ... Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related ...

Lead the engineering team through all phases of the software development lifecycle, including ... Lead the design, development, and support of Linux Kernel and driver components, focusing on system ...

Linux Kernel (custom build), Ubuntu * Intel/AMD/ARM CPUs, Nvidia GPUs, DPUs, Infiniband and ... Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related ...

Linux Kernel (custom build), Ubuntu * Intel/AMD/ARM CPUs, Nvidia GPUs, DPUs, Infiniband and ... Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related ...

... Linux kernel customization • Experience with Android or Linux performance tools and security models • Former Meta experience is a plus (having worked on product teams or on devices in Reality ...

Sr. Software Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$248K - $348K/yr

Develop and maintain Linux kernel modules and device drivers to support custom hardware and ... Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or related STEM discipline, or 10+ ...

Proficiency with Linux kernel and middleware development on ARM architecture. * Experience with ... MS or BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, and ...

Sr. Mobile Engineer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$150K - $188K/yr

Hi, We required Senior Mobile Engineer. These are direct hire permanent jobs with full benefits. If ... Should haveExperience with Linux kernel-space a plus * Should have Experience with networking ...

Proficiency with Linux kernel and middleware development on ARM architecture. * Experience with ... MS or BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, and ...

Showing results 21-40

Linux Kernel Engineer information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$12.5K

$130.3K

$147.4K

How much do linux kernel engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for linux kernel engineer in Seattle, WA is $130,304.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,400.00 and $142,300.00 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 popular job titles related to Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA?

For Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA are:

Infographic showing various Linux Kernel Engineer job openings in Seattle, WA as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,304 per year, or $62.6 per hour.

Kernel/OS Engineer, AWS EC2 Nitro Operating System

Seattle, WA • On-site

Amazon
IT Services • 10K+ employees

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago


Amazon rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 7,177 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

AWS EC2 Nitro powers the world's largest, fastest-growing, and most feature-rich compute cloud. Built from the ground up for virtualization at global scale, Nitro is a fully custom stack of hardware, firmware, and software that enables EC2 to support Intel, AMD, and AWS's own Graviton processors - while setting industry benchmarks for security and performance. With our Nitro System, we break apart traditional hypervisor functions like CPU virtualization, storage, and networking, and offload them to dedicated hardware and software. This enables us to deliver practically all of the resources of a server to customer instances, innovate faster, increase security, deliver new instance types, and reduce customer cost.
The Nitro Linux team owns the secure, embedded Linux environment at the heart of this system. We build and maintain the operating system that integrates with the Nitro control plane and powers live updates, metrics collection, core dump handling, and system health monitoring across AWS's global infrastructure. Linux, ash, C, lua, Rust - join us for embedded software systems at cloud scale!
Key job responsibilities
- Research, design, and implement Linux kernel changes to meet business requirements
- Drive kernel development for next-generation EC2 compute platforms
- Bring up Linux on new hardware platforms and custom silicon
- Debug complex, system-level, multi-component issues across layers from kernel to application
- Profile system performance and drive optimizations across the software stack
- Develop tooling for performance characterization, qualification, and deployment
- Deliver production-quality code and support its operation in production environments
- Collaborate across hardware, firmware, systems, and application software teams
- Openness to leveraging AI tools and technologies to enhance productivity and technical problem-solving.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 3+ years of non-internship professional software development experience
- 2+ years of non-internship design or architecture (design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience
- Experience programming with at least one software programming language
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 3+ years of full software development life cycle, including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, and operations experience
- Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company's reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you're applying in isn't listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, CA, SANTA CLARA - 165,200.00 - 223,600.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Seattle - 143,700.00 - 194,400.00 USD annually

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About Amazon

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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