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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

Etched

Kernel Driver Software Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$150K - $275K/yr

Implement driver support for device virtualization technologies, including SR-IOV, VFIO, and para ... Build kernel drivers fundamentally designed to support and maintain security across host processes ...

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 ...

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 ...

Nvidia

Senior Linux Developer - Networking

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$64 - $84.50/hr

Craft and implement kernel drivers for our state or art network devices as well as userspace ... If you are a senior data engineer passionate about building largescale, highimpact data platforms ...

Nvidia

OR · On-site

$54.50 - $72/hr

Craft and implement kernel drivers for our state or art network devices as well as userspace ... If you are a senior data engineer passionate about building largescale, highimpact data platforms ...

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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 Jun 7, 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.

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.

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Senior Kernel Developer jobs near you

Senior Staff Software Engineer, Kernel Security and Virtualization

Google

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

Google rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 92 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

31st of 186 rated software companies

Job description

Job Summary:
Google is a leading technology company that develops next-generation technologies impacting billions of users. The Senior Staff Software Engineer for Kernel Security and Virtualization will secure Google's production platform's kernel and virtualization layers while driving the architecture of next-generation isolation frameworks.
Responsibilities:
• Define and drive the multi-year technical road map for Linux kernel hardening and virtualization security. Architect systemic hardening of frameworks to prevent lateral movement and privilege escalation across the global production fleet.
• Design and deploy large-scale software solutions, pioneering new virtualization frameworks and open-source technologies to achieve secure, high-performance compute and robust isolation boundaries.
• Lead responses to critical kernel Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) and CPU vulnerabilities. Oversee the security patch life-cycle and release management to ensure the integrity of core virtualization and isolation layers.
• Partner with the technical stakeholders to align organizational goals. Drive the adoption of hardened standards and tools across the Cloud organization to ensure optimal security outcomes.
• Coach a distributed team of engineers, cultivating the competency in low-level security and kernel engineering to develop the next generation of technical leaders.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 8 years of experience programming in C++.
• 5 years of experience with design and architecture, and testing or launching software products.
• Experience in Security, Virtual Machine Monitor, and Kernel.
Preferred:
• Master’s degree or PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 8 years of experience with data structures and algorithms.
• 5 years of experience in a technical leadership role leading project teams and setting technical direction.
• 3 years of experience working in a complex, matrixed organization involving cross-functional, or cross-business projects.
• Experience with Linux Kernel.
Company:
Google specializes in internet-related services and products, including search, advertising, and software. It is a sub-organization of Alphabet. Founded in 1998, the company is headquartered in Mountain View, USA, with a team of 10001+ employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

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