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

Sunday Inc

Embedded Software Engineer

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$161K - $211K/yr

Develop and maintain Linux kernel drivers and userspace integration for sensors, GMSL cameras ... Strong proficiency in C and ideally C++ and/or Rust * Strong experience with Yocto, Buildroot, or ...

Verkada

Senior BSP Engineer - Cameras

San Mateo, CA

$139K - $183K/yr

Proficient in at least one system programming language, such as C, C++, Golang, Rust * Minimal of 2 ... Familiar with Linux Kernel development * Familiar with Bootloader development US Employee Benefits ...

Etched

Kernel Driver Software Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$150K - $275K/yr

Deep understanding of operating system internals (Linux preferred). * Experience with hardware ... Experience with Rust. * Experience with ML frameworks like Tensorflow or Pytorch. * Experience with ...

Etched

Kernel Driver Software Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$150K - $275K/yr

Deep understanding of operating system internals (Linux preferred). * Experience with hardware ... Experience with Rust. * Experience with ML frameworks like Tensorflow or Pytorch. * Experience with ...

Matic

Systems Engineer (Rust)

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

$120K - $200K/yr

... kernel development all the way up to interfacing with the complex perception algorithms running ... Familiarity with userspace Linux programming and conventions * Proven track record of building ...

IonQ

Staff Engineer Firmware

Pleasanton, CA · On-site

$163K - $213K/yr

Software Development: Write high-performance, production-quality code in C/C++ and Rust ... Strong background working with SoC/FPGA devices and Linux kernel/device driver development.

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Rust Linux Kernel information

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$118.6K

$175.1K

$206.7K

How much do rust linux kernel jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for rust linux kernel in Santa Clara, CA is $175,064.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $160,300.00 and $193,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Rust Linux Kernel developers?

Rust Linux Kernel developers are software engineers who contribute to the Linux kernel using the Rust programming language. They focus on writing new kernel modules or components in Rust, aiming to improve safety, security, and maintainability compared to traditional C code. These developers typically have a deep understanding of both systems programming and the Linux kernel architecture. Their work is part of an ongoing effort to gradually integrate Rust into the kernel alongside existing C code.

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

To thrive as a Rust Linux Kernel Developer, you need deep knowledge of systems programming, strong proficiency in Rust and C, and experience with Linux kernel internals. Familiarity with build systems (e.g., Make), version control (Git), and relevant certifications such as Linux Foundation Certified Engineer are typically valuable. Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective collaboration are essential soft skills in this role. These abilities ensure robust, secure, and maintainable kernel contributions while facilitating smooth teamwork in complex open-source environments.

What is the difference between Rust Linux Kernel vs C Linux Kernel Developer?

AspectRust Linux KernelC Linux Kernel Developer
Required CredentialsKnowledge of Rust programming, Linux kernel basicsProficiency in C, Linux kernel development experience
Work EnvironmentContributing to Linux kernel modules using Rust, Linux environmentDeveloping and maintaining Linux kernel code in C
Industry UsageEmerging in kernel development, experimental projectsStandard in Linux kernel development
Common Search/ComparisonOften compared for language choice in kernel modulesTraditional role, baseline for kernel development

The main difference between a Rust Linux Kernel developer and a C Linux Kernel Developer lies in the programming language used. Rust developers focus on leveraging Rust's safety features for kernel modules, while C developers work with the traditional C language. Both roles require Linux kernel knowledge, but Rust is newer and less widespread in kernel development, making it an emerging area compared to the well-established C role.

What are some common challenges faced when working on Rust integration within the Linux kernel, and how do teams typically address them?

A frequent challenge in this role is bridging the gap between Rust and the existing C-based Linux kernel codebase. This includes ensuring memory safety, managing interoperability between the two languages, and adhering to strict kernel coding standards. Teams often address these challenges through extensive code reviews, collaborative discussions on kernel mailing lists, and by actively participating in the upstream kernel and Rust-for-Linux communities. Continuous learning and communication are essential, as both the Rust integration and kernel development methodologies are rapidly evolving.
What are popular job titles related to Rust Linux Kernel jobs in Santa Clara, CA? For Rust Linux Kernel jobs in Santa Clara, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Rust Linux Kernel jobs in Santa Clara, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Rust Linux Kernel jobs in Santa Clara, CA are:
What cities near Santa Clara, CA are hiring for Rust Linux Kernel jobs? Cities near Santa Clara, CA with the most Rust Linux Kernel job openings:
Rust Linux Kernel jobs near you
Infographic showing various Rust Linux Kernel job openings in Santa Clara, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, and 12% Contract. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $175,064 per year, or $84.2 per hour.

System Software Engineer - Linux Kernel and Device Drivers

MatX

Mountain View, CA • On-site

$175K - $362K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

What MatX Is Building
MatX's mission is to make the world's best AI models run as efficiently as allowed by physics, bringing the world years ahead in AI quality and availability. MatX is seeking System Software Engineer to join our team as we create best-in-class silicon for high-performance and sustainable GenAI. Successful candidates for these roles will be responsible for delivering performant and functionally accurate silicon for MatX products across compute, memory management. High-speed connectivity and other key technologies.
The MatX host system software team owns everything that makes our AI silicon and systems usable: from Linux kernel drivers up through node and cluster management. The team also co-owns the BMC/OpenBMC firmware stack, with dedicated firmware engineers, so host software and out-of-band management are designed together rather than bolted together. We're looking for self-driven engineers who can take a hardware spec and a register map and just start building - prototype drivers, low-level utilities that talk directly to the chip, daemons, and tooling - with minimal hand-holding. Each engineer on this team has a primary focus area, but ownership of overlapping components is shared, and you should expect (and want) to venture across the stack.
What You'll Do Here
  • Architect, design, and implement the Linux kernel driver stack for MatX's AI accelerators (PCIe endpoint devices), including memory management, DMA, interrupt handling, and command submission paths
  • Build the low-level userspace libraries that sit directly on top of the driver - ioctl/sysfs interfaces, memory mapping, direct chip access utilities
  • Test and validate early chip features on pre-silicon platforms: software simulation, emulation, and FPGA environments - often as the first software to ever touch a new hardware feature
  • Write quick prototype code, debug utilities, and bring-up tooling to exercise the chip directly, well before polished production software exists
  • Drive first-silicon bring-up side by side with hardware, BMC firmware, and platform engineers, debugging issues that span RTL, firmware, kernel, and userspace
  • Profile and optimize the host I/O path: PCIe throughput, DMA efficiency, interrupt latency, and OS overheads
  • Deliver unit and regression tests for kernel and library components
  • Expose driver-level device state and error information in ways the platform telemetry and management layers (and, where relevant, the BMC) can consume
  • Influence next-generation chip architecture by feeding software requirements back into silicon design
  • Share ownership of adjacent components with teammates - e.g., contributing to the chip initialization and telemetry daemons that build on your driver interfaces

Who You Are
  • BS or higher in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience, with 8+ years in low-level systems software
  • Strong hands-on Linux kernel development experience - you've written and shipped device drivers, ideally for PCIe devices
  • Strong C programming skills; comfortable in userspace and kernel space
  • Able to read hardware datasheets and register definitions and program a device from them, without waiting for someone to explain the hardware
  • Deep understanding of computer architecture and OS internals: MMIO, DMA, interrupts, IOMMU, memory hierarchy, processes/threads, virtual memory
  • Experienced debugging complex hardware/software interaction issues with limited visibility
  • Self-driven and comfortable with ambiguity - able to own a component from blank page through bring-up and validation on a small, fast-moving team

Bonus Points If You Have
  • Experience with pre-silicon validation environments (simulation, emulation, FPGA prototyping)
  • First-silicon or new-platform bring-up experience for accelerators, NICs, or SoCs
  • Familiarity with SR-IOV, dma-buf, peer-to-peer PCIe, or VFIO
  • Kernel performance tuning and profiling experience (perf, ftrace, eBPF)
  • Exposure to BMC/host interaction paths (e.g., in-band vs. out-of-band device access, sideband interfaces such as I2C/SMBus)
  • Rust for systems programming

Compensation
The US base salary for this full-time position is determined based on a variety of factors including role, experience, location, job related skills, and relevant education and training. Career length is only a guideline for compensation.
  • Early Career - $120,000 - $250,000 + equity
  • Mid Career - $175,000 - $362,500 + equity
  • Senior Career - $250,000 - $475,000 + equity

What We Offer
  • A Stake in our success A flexible cash equity compensation mix that fits your needs
  • Heath & Wellness Company subsidized Health, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance; Pre-tax Health Savings Accounts with generous company contribution (even if you don't)
  • Time To Recharge 4 weeks paid time off (accrued), 12 company holidays, and 3 weeks remote/flexible work per year
  • Support to Parents Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave, regardless of your path to parenthood
  • Learning & Development $1,500 yearly towards your professional development e.g. conferences, courses, and other learning opportunities
  • Team Connection Team Lunches, quarterly off-sites, and regular town halls
  • Financial Wellbeing 401K and/or Roth IRA, with 5% company contribution, even if you don't!
  • Flexible Spending Accounts Pre-tax spend accounts for medical, dental/vision, dependent care, parking, and transit expenses
  • Commute On Us For those commuting up to 1 hour, put your rideshare cost on our company card and reclaim the drive-time to get work done!
  • MatX E[x]tras $50 per month to use on the perks you care about most
  • Remote Perks We work remotely Monday & Friday, supported by home-tech setup, and remote wifi expense reimbursement

As part of our dedication to the diversity of our team and our focus on creating an inviting and inclusive work experience, MatX is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital/domestic partner status, military and veteran status, genetic information or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.
All candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and work from our offices in Mountain View Tuesdays-Thursdays.
This position requires access to information that is subject to U.S. export controls. This offer of employment is contingent upon the applicants capacity to perform job functions in compliance with U.S. export control laws without obtaining a license from U.S. export control authorities.
MatX does not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third-party recruiting agencies in response to job postings. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers or People team and any resumes submitted are deemed to be the property of MatX.

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