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Linux Software Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Cloud Software Engineer II

Ontario, CA

$61 - $79.25/hr

We are seeking an experienced high-performing software engineer for a contract position in our core ... At least 5 years of relevant technical experience in embedded Linux software development.

Software DevOps Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · Hybrid

$62 - $84.75/hr

Software DevOps Engineer LOCATION: Sunnyvale CA Duration: 6 to 12+ Months Rate: DOE Description ... Strong Linux fundamentals and bash scripting skills, - Strong knowledge of Ansible - Strong ...

Software Developer II

Poway, CA · On-site

$87K - $132K/yr

Communicate with the software developer group, with users, and with management as well as with the ... Experienced in Linux * Strong debugging skills * The ability to work both independently and on a ...

Python Software Developer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$59 - $81.25/hr

... software products Expert level programming (Python, Java) and scripting skills(Bash) are required ... linux Additional Information Multiple Openings

Python Software Developer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$59 - $81.25/hr

... software products Expert level programming (Python, Java) and scripting skills(Bash) are required ... linux Additional Information Multiple Openings

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Showing results 1-20

Linux Software Developer information

See California salary details

$47.4K

$110.4K

$163.8K

How much do linux software developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for linux software developer in California is $110,380.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,800.00 and $128,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Linux Software Developer do?

A Linux Software Developer designs, develops, tests, and maintains software applications or systems that run on the Linux operating system. They often work with open-source tools and libraries, write code in languages such as C, C++, Python, or Shell scripting, and may contribute to kernel or driver development. Their responsibilities typically include debugging, optimizing performance, and ensuring software compatibility with various Linux distributions. Linux Software Developers often collaborate with other engineers and contribute to open-source projects.

What is the difference between Linux Software Developer vs Embedded Software Engineer?

AspectLinux Software DeveloperEmbedded Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or related field; Linux/Unix certificationsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related; embedded systems certifications
Work EnvironmentSoftware development on Linux platforms, often in office settingsDevelopment on embedded hardware, often in labs or manufacturing environments
Industry UsageIT, software companies, open-source projectsConsumer electronics, automotive, aerospace, industrial devices
Common Search/ComparisonFocuses on Linux OS and application developmentFocuses on hardware integration and real-time systems

While both roles involve embedded or specialized software development, Linux Software Developers primarily work on applications and systems running on Linux OS, whereas Embedded Software Engineers focus on programming hardware-specific firmware and real-time systems. The choice depends on whether the job emphasizes Linux environments or embedded hardware integration.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Linux Software Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Linux Software Developer, you need strong programming skills in languages like C, C++, or Python, in-depth knowledge of Linux operating systems, and a relevant degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with version control systems (such as Git), build tools, and debugging utilities, as well as experience with open-source development, are typically required. Problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure robust, efficient software development and seamless collaboration within multidisciplinary technical teams.

What are some common challenges Linux Software Developers face when working on open-source projects?

Linux Software Developers often encounter challenges such as navigating complex legacy codebases and coordinating with a distributed community of contributors. Effective communication is crucial, as much of the collaboration happens asynchronously across different time zones. Additionally, adhering to strict coding standards and ensuring compatibility with diverse hardware and software environments require careful attention to detail. These challenges are balanced by the opportunity to learn from a global community and contribute to widely used technologies.
What are popular job titles related to Linux Software Developer jobs in California? For Linux Software Developer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Linux Software Developer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Linux Software Developer jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Linux Software Developer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 61% Full Time, and 39% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,380 per year, or $53.1 per hour.
Staff Product Manager - IoT Software (Linux)

Staff Product Manager - IoT Software (Linux)

Qualcomm

San Diego, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago


Qualcomm rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 190 rated software companies


Job description

Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Job Area:
Operations Group, Operations Group > Product Management
General Summary:
Qualcomm is looking for a Staff Product Manager - Software, for its Industrial and Embedded IoT Business Unit to help define and promote Qualcomm chipsets for emerging use cases in various IoT segments. Successful candidates will define software product requirements, analyze business opportunities, perform gap analysis, drive execution, and help with go-to-market plans and global customer engagements. In addition, the candidate is expected to prioritize use cases, working closely with customers, partners, engineering, sales, and business development teams formulating and executing to product roadmaps. Overall, the candidate will oversee the entire product life cycle from conception to delivery, using open-source technical expertise and industry standards, strategic thinking, product and project management skills to ensure our product meets our customer needs.
The position requires strong expertise in business and systems analysis, strong interpersonal and effective communication skills, and the ability to collaborate and influence key stakeholders across Product, Engineering, Sales and Partner Management teams and across various functional teams.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, Humanities, or related field.
• 5+ years of Product Management or related work experience.
The key responsibilities of this role include
- Write software product and functional requirements understanding customer needs.
- Develop strategy and roadmap for our product offerings. Review and identify gaps in market based on complex analyses of overall ecosystem demands and provide recommendations to address such gaps that impact product roadmaps.
- Manage the product roadmap, lifecycle from product definition to product release. Review, prepare, and deliver technical presentations regarding product roadmaps, customer RFPs, and/or proposals to demonstrate and market product portfolios to customers and/or prospective customers, and integrate customer feedback into project roadmaps.
- Define scalable software architecture for IoT applications built on Linux. Expertise in RT kernels, industrial safety protocols and RTOS is a definite plus.
- Define the software roadmap of features across various IoT business segments and publish plan for commercialization. Oversee successful cross-functional collaboration by ensuring the completion of milestones and ensuring the completed work aligns with roadmap for a product line(s).
- Define the Linux software upstreaming strategy across various IPs, and partner with upstream community to ensure compliance of software frameworks used within our development model.
- Drive an extensive ecosystem of third-party software developers while identifying opportunities for software reuse, and architecture innovation that result in software roadmap optimizations that drive an efficient engineering execution strategy and a clear go to market strategy.
- Drive portfolios launch strategies and identify technical marketing and developer opportunities such as conferences, congresses, and direct customer contact and ensures successful product launch.
- Use verbal and written communication skills to convey complex and/or detailed information to multiple individuals/audiences with differing knowledge levels. May require strong negotiation and influence, communication to large groups or high-level constituents.
- Have a moderate amount of influence over key organizational decisions (e.g., is consulted by senior leadership to provide input on key decisions).
- Complete tasks that require multiple steps that can be performed in various orders; tasks require simultaneously executing multiple cognitive abilities and maintaining information in short- or long-term memory.
- Exercise exceptional creativity to innovate new ideas and develop innovative products/processes without established objectives or known parameters.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree in engineering, computer science or MBA
- Experience owning and driving roadmap strategy and definition
- Experience with feature delivery and product tradeoffs
- Experience with open-source development model and business principles. Familiarity with embedded open-source software technology and ecosystem is a plus.
- Expertise in software frameworks and distributions based on Linux (e.g. Yocto, Ubuntu, RedHat, Debian).
- 5+ years of software product management experience managing medium to large scale embedded systems projects.
- Experienced working directly with engineers on product scoping and improvements
- Experienced leading engineering discussions around software technology decisions and strategies related to the product
- Knowledge of technologies such as containers, orchestration and virtualization
- Familiarity with Linux operating system integration and packaging policies
- Ability to manage multiple projects or product lines while ensuring focus on key roadmap priorities
- Effective communication skills with cross functional teams, both technical and non-technical, driving consensus around product requirements and strategy
This is an office-based position in San Diego, CA, and requires compliance with the company's onsite work policy
Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies: Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$179,200.00 - $268,800.00
The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer - and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.

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About Qualcomm

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Qualcomm is enabling a world where everyone and everything can be intelligently connected. You interact with products and technologies made possible by Qualcomm every day, including 5G-enabled smartphones that double as pro-level cameras and gaming devices, smarter vehicles and cities, and the technology behind the smart, connected factories that manufactured your latest purchase. Our powerful connectivity solutions keep you connected—even in remote areas. Qualcomm 5G and AI innovations are the power behind the connected intelligent edge. You’ll find our technologies behind and inside the innovations that deliver significant value across multiple industries and to billions of people every day.

Industry

Technology, communication and media

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Diego, CA, US

Year founded

1985