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Linux System Engineer Internship Jobs in Berkeley, CA

About the Team OpenAI's Hardware organization develops custom silicon and system-level solutions ... You will work close to the hardware on performance‑critical software, including Linux kernel ...

... Linux kernel drivers, high-throughput I/O paths, and system-scale networking and RDMA. This role ... Strong programming skills in C or C++, with proficiency using Python and Linux tooling for ...

Systems Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$100 - $200/hr

Improve reliability and performance across the robotics software stack by diagnosing system ... Experience developing software for Linux-based systems, including multi-threaded programming ...

... Linux kernel drivers, high-throughput I/O paths, and system-scale networking and RDMA. This role ... Strong programming skills in C or C++, with proficiency using Python and Linux tooling for ...

Systems Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$100K - $200K/yr

... system bottlenecks and failure modes. ● Implement and maintain software libraries and device ... Linux-based systems, including multi-threaded programming, memory management, and performance ...

Showing results 41-60

Linux System Engineer Internship information

See Berkeley, CA salary details

$12

$62

$85

How much do linux system engineer internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for linux system engineer internship in Berkeley, CA is $62.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55.91 and $70.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Linux System Engineer internship?

A Linux System Engineer Internship is a temporary position designed for students or recent graduates to gain hands-on experience working with Linux-based operating systems in a professional IT environment. Interns typically assist with the installation, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of Linux servers, as well as automation and scripting tasks. This role helps interns develop practical skills in system administration, networking, and security, preparing them for future careers as Linux System Engineers. Interns often work under the supervision of experienced engineers and may also participate in real-world projects to enhance their technical expertise.

What types of projects and tasks can I expect to work on during a Linux System Engineer internship?

As a Linux System Engineer Intern, you can expect to be involved in projects such as configuring and maintaining Linux servers, assisting with network and system monitoring, automating routine tasks using shell scripts, and troubleshooting system issues alongside senior engineers. You may also participate in team meetings to discuss system upgrades and security practices, and help document procedures. This hands-on experience is designed to give you a strong foundation in real-world Linux administration and often includes mentorship to support your professional growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Linux System Engineer intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Linux System Engineer Intern, you need a solid understanding of Linux operating systems, basic networking concepts, and familiarity with scripting languages such as Bash or Python, often supported by coursework or certifications like CompTIA Linux+. Experience with command-line tools, virtualization platforms, and configuration management systems such as Ansible or Puppet is typically required. Problem-solving ability, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills in this role. These competencies are crucial for efficiently maintaining systems, troubleshooting issues, and collaborating with IT teams in dynamic technical environments.

What is the difference between Linux System Engineer Internship vs Linux System Administrator?

AspectLinux System Engineer InternshipLinux System Administrator
CredentialsTypically pursuing or recent graduate in IT or related fieldRelevant certifications like CompTIA Linux+, LPIC, or RHCSA often preferred
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, learning-focused, entry-level tasksFull-time, operational environment managing Linux servers
Employer & IndustryTech companies, IT departments, startupsData centers, enterprise IT, hosting providers
Search & Comparison IntentLearning opportunities, entry-level roles, internshipsOperational roles, system management, career advancement

The Linux System Engineer Internship is an entry-level, learning-focused position aimed at students or recent graduates, while a Linux System Administrator is a full-time role responsible for managing and maintaining Linux servers in a professional environment. Both roles require familiarity with Linux, but the internship emphasizes skill development, whereas the administrator role involves operational responsibilities.

What cities near Berkeley, CA are hiring for Linux System Engineer Internship jobs?

Cities near Berkeley, CA with the most Linux System Engineer Internship job openings:

Infographic showing various Linux System Engineer Internship job openings in Berkeley, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,806 per year, or $62.9 per hour.

Host Systems Software Engineer

Slope

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$120 - $160/hr

Other

Posted 19 days ago


Job description

About the Team

OpenAI’s Hardware organization develops custom silicon and system-level solutions for the unique demands of advanced AI workloads. The team works across hardware, systems architecture, and software to build infrastructure that enables high-performance, AI-native computing at scale. In close partnership with research, software, and external vendors, we bring up new platforms, integrate emerging technologies, and develop the host-side systems software needed to make these systems performant, reliable, and production-ready.

About the Role

We’re looking for an experienced systems software engineer to help define and build the host software stack for our custom next-generation AI systems. You will work close to the hardware on performance‑critical software, including Linux kernel drivers, high‑throughput I/O paths, and system‑scale networking and RDMA.

This role spans architecture, implementation, platform bring‑up, debugging, and performance optimization. You will work across hardware and software boundaries to make new systems usable end to end, from low‑level device interfaces through userspace tooling and production validation.

In this role you will:
  • Design, implement, and debug host‑side systems software for AI infrastructure, including Linux kernel drivers and supporting userspace components.

  • Build and optimize software paths for high‑throughput, low‑latency communication, including RDMA and related networking functionality.

  • Develop software around PCIe, DMA, NICs, accelerators, memory movement, and device interaction.

  • Bring up new hardware platforms and diagnose complex issues across kernel, firmware, networking, and hardware boundaries.

  • Build tooling for integration, testing, diagnostics, observability, qualification, and performance characterization.

  • Collaborate with hardware, networking, and platform teams to define interfaces and integrate new capabilities.

  • Work with external vendors where needed to integrate technologies and drive issues to resolution.

  • Contribute across the systems software stack as the platform and team evolve.

  • Help shape the technical direction and engineering practices for a growing systems software stack.

You might thrive in this role if you have:
  • Experience building low‑level or performance‑critical systems software.

  • Strong programming skills in C or C++, with proficiency using Python and Linux tooling for automation and debugging.

  • Strong Linux systems fundamentals and the ability to debug across hardware and software boundaries.

  • Hands‑on experience in at least one relevant area, such as Linux kernel drivers, kernel networking, RDMA, PCIe, DMA, NIC software, accelerator software, or high‑performance I/O.

  • Experience owning complex software projects from design through implementation, bring‑up, and validation.

  • Ability to thrive in ambiguity, work across subsystem boundaries, and build systems from scratch.

  • Strong cross‑functional communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience developing Linux kernel drivers or other OS‑level performance‑critical components.

  • Familiarity with RDMA or RoCE, ibverbs, kernel networking, or congestion‑control concepts such as ECN and DCQCN.

  • Experience with PCIe, DMA, peer‑to‑peer communication, SR‑IOV, IOMMU, dma‑buf, or related accelerator and I/O subsystems.

  • Experience bringing up accelerators, NICs, SoCs, or custom hardware platforms.

  • Experience profiling and optimizing high‑throughput, low‑latency systems.

  • Familiarity with Rust or experience using Rust for systems programming.

To comply with U.S. export control laws and regulations, candidates for this role may need to meet certain legal status requirements as provided in those laws and regulations.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.

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