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

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.

Good knowledge of Linux kernel internals, Filesystem, Object storage systems, Databases, Vector ... C++, Rust, Python Ways to stand out from the crowd: * Development experience in storage software ...

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Rust Linux Kernel information

See Santa Clara, CA salary details

$118.6K

$175.1K

$206.7K

How much do rust linux kernel jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 21, 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 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:
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 - Node & Cluster Management

MatX

Mountain View, CA

$175K - $362K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 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

  • Design and build the node-level management plane for MatX's AI systems: expose node health, inventory, telemetry, and control operations through HTTP/REST endpoints (e.g., Redfish-style or custom APIs)
  • Design and implement cluster management solutions and failover algorithms to minimize downtime
  • Build the management CLI utilities that operators and internal engineers use daily - interacting with the on-node management and telemetry daemons to query state, run diagnostics, update firmware, and recover devices
  • Partner with our BMC firmware engineers to present unified management and observability across in-band and out-of-band paths - so operators see one coherent node, whether data comes from the host daemons or the BMC (e.g., unified Redfish-style views, firmware update orchestration across host and BMC, and recovery flows that work even when the host is down)
  • Extend node-level capabilities to cluster level: fleet-wide health aggregation, device inventory, alerting hooks, and integration points for our customers' own fleet-management systems
  • Get hands-on with the low-level stack: you'll regularly need to drop below the API layer - into the telemetry daemon, driver interfaces, or raw device access utilities - to prototype, debug, or unblock yourself
  • Build tooling and automation for managing lab systems during bring-up: provisioning, test orchestration, regression monitoring
  • Define the software contracts between the on-node daemons, the BMC stack, and the management layer - shared-ownership boundaries you'll co-design
  • Debug production-grade issues spanning management APIs, daemons, kernel drivers, BMC firmware, and hardware
  • Help shape what "manageable at scale" means for a new hardware platform, from single node to full rack to cluster

Who You Are

  • BS or higher in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience, with 8+ years in systems software - this is not a pure web-services role; deep low-level systems experience is required
  • Strong hands-on Linux systems development experience, including low-level userspace software; comfortable reading and debugging kernel driver and daemon code
  • Strong programming skills in C plus a systems language suited to services and tooling (Go, Rust, C++, and/or Python)
  • Experience designing and building HTTP/REST APIs and CLI tools for hardware or infrastructure management
  • Solid understanding of how the pieces underneath your APIs actually work - device drivers, telemetry paths, PCIe device behavior, BMC-managed subsystems - and the instinct to go look when something misbehaves
  • Experienced debugging across API, daemon, kernel, firmware, and hardware boundaries
  • Comfortable working with firmware engineers to align host-side and BMC-side management capabilities behind common interfaces
  • Self-driven and pragmatic: able to stand up a working management endpoint against brand-new hardware with minimal specification

Bonus Points If You Have

  • Experience with Redfish, OpenBMC, gNMI, IPMI, or other datacenter hardware management standards
  • Cluster/fleet management experience for GPU or accelerator infrastructure
  • Experience with hardware bring-up, lab automation, or manufacturing/qualification test infrastructure
  • Familiarity with firmware update orchestration, secure boot, or attestation flows

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.