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Senior Kernel Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ThreatLocker

Senior Kernel Software Developer

Orlando, FL · On-site

$51 - $67.25/hr

POSITION OVERVIEW We are seeking a Windows Kernel Driver Engineer with extensive experience in filter driver development and Windows system internals to join our cybersecurity product team. In this ...

ThreatLocker

Senior Kernel Software Developer

Orlando, FL

$51 - $67.25/hr

POSITION OVERVIEW We are seeking a Windows Kernel Driver Engineer with extensive experience in filter driver development and Windows system internals to join our cybersecurity product team. In this ...

Flock Safety

Senior Embedded Software Engineer, Kernel

$172K - $190K/yr

The Opportunity Flock Safety is seeking a Senior Kernel Engineer to join our Device OS Team to solve one of our most critical engineering challenges: building an ultra-stable, rapid-deployment ...

AMD

Linux Kernel SW Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

They are seeking a Senior Linux Kernel SW Engineer to join their server software and solutions engineering team, where the role involves enabling AMD x86-64 architecture features in Linux and ...

Stable Kernel

Senior Sales Executive

Atlanta, GA

$300K/yr

Stable Kernel is a technology services firm and custom software developer building scalable ... As a Senior Sales Executive, you will identify and engage with Fortune 1000 executives and decision ...

Stable Kernel

Senior Sales Executive

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$300K/yr

Stable Kernel is a technology services firm and custom software developer building scalable ... As a Senior Sales Executive, you will identify and engage with Fortune 1000 executives and decision ...

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Senior Kernel Developer information

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$25K

$80.3K

$163.5K

How much do senior kernel developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior kernel developer in the United States is $80,287.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,500.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much does a kernel make?

A senior kernel developer typically earns between $100,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the company. Skilled developers with expertise in C, Linux, and system architecture are in high demand and may receive higher compensation packages.

How much does a kernel developer make?

A senior kernel developer typically earns between $100,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the company. Skilled developers with expertise in C, Linux, and system architecture may earn higher salaries, especially in competitive tech markets.

How much do kernel developers make in the US?

Kernel developers in the US typically earn between $100,000 and $150,000 annually, with experienced professionals and those working for large tech companies earning higher salaries. Compensation can vary based on experience, location, and expertise in low-level programming and operating system architecture.

What is the difference between Senior Kernel Developer vs Kernel Engineer?

AspectSenior Kernel DeveloperKernel Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Computer Science, experience in kernel developmentSimilar credentials, often with specialized Linux or OS certifications
Work EnvironmentResearch and development, debugging, code optimizationDesign, implementation, testing of kernel modules and components
Industry UsageTech companies, hardware manufacturers, OS developersEmbedded systems, OS vendors, hardware integration

Both roles require strong knowledge of operating systems and kernel architecture. A Senior Kernel Developer typically focuses on advanced development and optimization, while a Kernel Engineer emphasizes designing and implementing kernel components. The roles often overlap but differ mainly in scope and focus within kernel development projects.

Are Linux kernel developers in demand?

Linux kernel developers are in high demand due to the widespread use of Linux in servers, cloud infrastructure, and embedded systems. Skilled developers with expertise in C, kernel architecture, and debugging tools are sought after by technology companies, open-source projects, and hardware manufacturers, often offering competitive salaries and opportunities for remote work.
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Senior Kernel Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Kernel Developer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,287 per year, or $38.6 per hour.
Senior Kernel Engineer (remote)

Senior Kernel Engineer (remote)

LaBine and Associates

Miami Gardens, FL

$113K - $149K/yr

Other

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

Senior Kernel Software Developer

Our cybersecurity client builds advanced technologies that form the foundation of digital resilience. Their platform empowers enterprises to defend critical infrastructure against sophisticated adversaries by engineering protection at the deepest levels of the operating system. Through kernel-level innovations, they ensure stability, performance and security without compromise.

They are looking for a SENIOR KERNEL SOFTWARE DEVELOPER with deep expertise in Windows internals and driver engineering and cybersecurity experience. This individual will architect and maintain low-level system components that serve as the cornerstone of their security platform. You will be at the forefront of creating advanced defense capabilities that operate where attackers least expect resistance - the kernel.

Core Responsibilities

  • Architect and implement Windows kernel-mode drivers (file system, registry, network, and related filter technologies) to enable monitoring, policy enforcement, and defensive controls.
  • Research and leverage Windows operating system internals to design robust, bypass-resistant protections.
  • Collaborate with research teams, user-space developers, and product engineers to integrate kernel-level modules into broader security workflows.
  • Perform advanced debugging and crash analysis, using tools such as WinDbg, ETW, and custom diagnostics to identify root causes and performance bottlenecks.

Required Qualifications:

  • Prior exposure to the cybersecurity sector
  • Minimum 5 years of professional experience in Windows kernel development, with a focus on driver and filter driver design.
  • Expert-level understanding of Windows internals (memory management, I/O processing, process and thread management, object manager, etc.).
  • Strong proficiency in C/C++, Windows Driver Kit (WDK), and modern kernel debugging methodologies.
  • Proven experience within the security space—such as EDR, anti-malware, intrusion detection, or kernel-based monitoring solutions.
  • Familiarity with exploitation techniques, hooking, and rootkit behaviors, combined with strategies to counter them.
  • Demonstrated ability to engineer secure, reliable, and high-performance kernel modules.

Preferred Expertise

  • Background in reverse engineering, malware research, or kernel exploit analysis.
  • Experience with Microsoft WHQL testing, driver signing, and kernel submission pipelines.
  • Contributions to security research communities, open-source kernel projects, or technical publications.
  • Knowledge of secure development lifecycle practices and defensive coding strategies for low-level software.

Why is This a Great Opportunity

  • Cutting-Edge Technical Mission - You get to work at kernel level, deep in the OS, designing low-level security infrastructure and solving hard engineering problems, doing “real” technical work rather than just surface-level features.
  • Strong Growth Potential & Learning Curve
  • High Impact Role
  • Collaboration & Cross-Functional Integration
LaBine and Associates logo

About LaBine and Associates

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

LaBine and Associates is a full service talent acquisition firm specializing in executive search for a myriad of industries. Through our partnerships with experienced associates, we can also provide staffing support, expert consultants, and interim executives for your company’s needs. We have deep industry knowledge with understanding in multiple industries. Our specialists include experts in banking/finance, HR/Legal, Technology, Health Care, Life Sciences, Engineering, Energy, Supply Chain, Mining, Agribusiness and manufacturing.

Industry

Professional, scientific, and technical services

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

San Mateo, CA, US

Year founded

2013

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