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Senior Kernel Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

quadric, Inc

AI Kernel Engineer

Burlingame, CA · On-site

$110K - $270K/yr

This senior technical role demands deep knowledge of hardware architecture, compiler toolchain and ... Provide technical support and documents to customers and developer community Requirements

quadric, Inc

AI Kernel Engineer

Burlingame, CA

$110K - $270K/yr

This senior technical role demands deep knowledge of hardware architecture, compiler toolchain and ... Provide technical support and documents to customers and developer community Requirements

quadric, Inc

AI Kernel Engineer

Burlingame, CA · On-site

$110K - $270K/yr

This senior technical role demands deep knowledge of hardware architecture, compiler toolchain and ... Provide technical support and documents to customers and developer community Requirements

NIO

Senior OS/Kernel Engineer

San Jose, CA

$143K - $186K/yr

About the Position We are seeking a senior OS / kernel engineer to join our SkyOS team. The team is responsible for the design and development of NIO's full-domain vehicle operating systems. The ...

Aptiv

Senior System Engineer - OS Kernel

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

$13K - $160K/yr

Senior System Engineer - OS Kernel Location: Walnut Creek, CA ABOUT WIND RIVER Wind River is a global leader in delivering software for mission-critical intelligent systems. For more than four ...

Aptiv

Senior System Engineer - OS Kernel

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

$130K - $160K/yr

Senior System Engineer - OS Kernel Location: Walnut Creek, CA ABOUT WIND RIVER Wind River is a global leader in delivering software for mission-critical intelligent systems. For more than four ...

NIO USA, INC

Senior OS/Kernel Engineer

San Jose, CA

$122K - $168K/yr

About the Position We are seeking a senior OS / kernel engineer to join our SkyOS team. The team is responsible for the design and development of NIO's full-domain vehicle operating systems. The ...

NIO

Senior OS/Kernel Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$143K - $186K/yr

About the Position We are seeking a senior OS / kernel engineer to join our SkyOS team. The team is responsible for the design and development of NIO's full-domain vehicle operating systems. The ...

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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 20, 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.
More about Senior Kernel Developer jobs
What cities are hiring for Senior Kernel Developer jobs? Cities with the most Senior Kernel Developer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Kernel Developer jobs? The most popular types of Kernel Developer jobs are:
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What job categories do people searching Senior Kernel Developer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Kernel Developer jobs are:
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 Systems Developer - Linux Kernel & Performance

Elliot Partnership

New York, NY • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

  • Senior Linux Systems Developer - Quant Systems (Kernel & Performance)
  • New York, NY (Hybrid, 3 days in office)
  • Highly competitive compensation package

Join an elite technology and research group at the forefront of global finance, where world-class engineering and quantitative research converge to solve some of the most complex problems in any industry. Their teams are composed of passionate problem-solvers who operate in a dynamic, large-scale, low-latency IT environment. We are seeking a visionary engineer to drive deep optimization and development within the Linux operating system, ensuring the firm's complex trading and research platforms operate with maximum performance and efficiency.
The Role
We are seeking a deeply experienced Senior Linux Systems Developer for our Quant Systems team. This is a crucial, hands-on role for a true low-level systems expert who thrives on optimizing performance at the operating system level. You will be a key technical leader responsible for tuning, analyzing, and developing components within the Linux kernel and user space to support our most demanding HPC and low-latency workloads. You will act as a force multiplier by solving the most challenging performance bottlenecks, mentoring other engineers, and setting the standard for deep systems expertise.
Responsibilities:
  • Lead the design and execution of high-impact projects focused on optimizing the performance and reducing the latency of our core Linux-based HPC and trading infrastructure.
  • Develop, debug, and maintain low-level systems software, potentially including kernel modules, eBPF programs, or performance analysis tools, primarily using C, Go, or Python.
  • Serve as a senior escalation point for the most complex Linux systems issues, diagnosing and resolving deep technical challenges related to kernel behavior, performance anomalies, and hardware/OS interactions.
  • Drive the architecture for ultra-performant Linux environments, making key design decisions for production systems based on deep OS-level knowledge.
  • Mentor and guide other engineers, championing best practices in low-level systems development, performance tuning, and diagnostics.

Your experience:
  • 11+ years of experience in a senior systems development or performance engineering role with a track record of success in complex, performance-critical Linux environments.
  • Expert-level proficiency in C or Go, with significant experience in Python also valued; proven track record of developing systems-level software (not just scripting).
  • Deep, hands-on expertise with the Linux operating system internals, including kernel tuning, debugging (gdb, perf, strace), eBPF, and systems administration in a large-scale, performance-sensitive environment.
  • Demonstrated experience leading technical projects, driving deep architectural decisions, and mentoring other engineers in systems programming or performance analysis.
  • Strong knowledge of configuration management tools (e.g. Ansible, Salt) and CI/CD concepts.
  • Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex low-level concepts to a variety of audiences.

Apply