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Linux Kernel Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... Linux kernel engineers developing core CPU and SoC features for AMD EPYC processors in the data ... The Person An experienced kernel engineering leader with strong analytical and problem-solving ...

Senior Software Engineer, Linux Kernel

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$144K - $190K/yr

Work on a small team of System Software and Linux Kernel Engineers to develop system software components from early prototyping to production launch of driverless vehicles * Develop and test Linux ...

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Linux Kernel Engineer information

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$11K

$114.5K

$129.5K

How much do linux kernel engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for linux kernel engineer in the United States is $114,500.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,000.00 and $125,000.00 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 cities are hiring for Linux Kernel Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Linux Kernel Engineer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Linux Kernel Engineer jobs?

The most popular types of Linux Kernel Engineer jobs are:

Who are the top companies hiring for Linux Kernel Engineer jobs?

The top employers for Linux Kernel Engineer jobs are:

What states have the most Linux Kernel Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Linux Kernel Engineer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Linux Kernel Engineer jobs?

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

Infographic showing various Linux Kernel Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,500 per year, or $55 per hour.

Senior Staff Linux Kernel Engineer

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Crusoe
IT Services • 201 - 500 employees

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

Crusoe is on a mission to accelerate the abundance of energy and intelligence. As the only vertically integrated AI infrastructure company built from the ground up, we own and operate each layer of the stack — from electrons to tokens — to power the world's most ambitious AI workloads. When you join Crusoe, you join a team that is building the future, faster.

We're in the midst of the greatest industrial revolution of our time. The demand for AI compute is boundless, and power is a bottleneck. We're solving that — with an energy-first approach that makes AI infrastructure better for the world and faster for the people innovating with AI.

We're looking for problem-solving, opportunity-finding teammates with a sense of urgency, who believe in the scale of our ambition and thrive on a path not fully paved — people who want to grow their careers alongside a team of experts across energy, manufacturing, data center construction, and cloud services.

If you want to do the most meaningful work of your career, help our customers and partners advance their AI strategies, and be part of a high-performing team that believes in each other, come build with us at Crusoe.

About the role
You will set the technical direction for Crusoe's Linux kernel team, owning the roadmap and architecting critical development projects. This role requires a balance of high-level architectural design and hands-on kernel coding. You will tackle the most complex kernel problems while mentoring and growing the engineers around you to deliver production-ready infrastructure at scale.


What You’ll Be Working On:

  • Perform deep-dive root-cause analysis of issues across the OS and hardware layers. You will lead the triage and backporting for kernel CVEs while building automated tooling for vulnerability analysis.

  • Architect and lead critical projects — new kernel features, security patching infrastructure, deployment systems — from design through production and upstream.

  • Develop kernel code with an upstream-first mindset — we aim to contribute all changes to the Linux kernel community and keep our downstream patches zero; this is a core part of how the team works, not an afterthought

  • Develop and review kernel code: memory management, scheduler, networking, storage, and GPU-related subsystems

  • Design and implement advanced virtualization technologies tailored for GPU-accelerated AI and HPC workloads. You will optimize the stack for low latency and high scalability across hypervisors and device emulation.

  • Find and develop kernel efficiency improvements proactively (e.g., DAMON-based memory management, hugepage optimization, memory overcommit)

  • Mentor and review work from mid-level and junior engineers

What You’ll Bring to the Team:

  • Deep knowledge of Linux kernel internals — memory management, scheduler, networking, storage subsystems and/or device drivers

  • Strong C programming skills; fluency in kernel development workflow (patch submission, mailing lists, Lore)

  • Experience evaluating kernel security vulnerabilities: CVE analysis, exploitability assessment, backporting fixes

  • Demonstrated ability to set technical direction and drive projects end-to-end

  • Track record of upstream Linux kernel contributions is a strong plus

  • Deep knowledge of Linux kernel internals (memory management, scheduler, I/O) and virtualization technologies (KVM, Xen, or QEMU)

  • 10+ years of experience in systems software engineering working on low-level systems or infrastructure teams.

Benefits:

  • Competitive compensation and equity packages

  • Restricted Stock Units

  • Paid time off, paid holidays & leave of absence programs

  • Comprehensive health, dental & vision insurance

  • Employer contributions to HSA account

  • Paid parental leave

  • Paid life insurance, short-term and long-term disability

  • Professional development & tuition reimbursement

  • Mental health & wellness support

  • Commuter benefits (parking & transit)

  • Cell phone stipend

  • 401(k) Retirement plan with company match up to 4% of salary

  • Volunteer time off

  • Global travel insurance & emergency assistance

  • Daily meals allowance

  • Additional perks & programs specific to location

Compensation Range

Compensation will be paid in the range of up to $250,000 -$300,000 + Bonus. Restricted Stock Units are included in all offers. Compensation to be determined by the applicant's knowledge, education, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Crusoe is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, citizenship, marital status, sex/gender, sexual preference/ orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, national origin, or any other status protected by law or regulation.