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Senior Kernel Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... senior engineers. What You'll Do: * Optimize kernels for performance and resiliency across the ... Deliver critical kernel fixes and security mitigations with kernel live patches * Investigate and ...

Engineering

New York, NY · On-site

$260K - $380K/yr

By uniting applied AI research, flexible infrastructure, and seamless developer tooling, we enable ... Represent the kernel team's work to senior leadership and external audiences including industry ...

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 ...

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 ...

... senior engineers. What You'll Do: * Optimize kernels for performance and resiliency across the ... Deliver critical kernel fixes and security mitigations with kernel live patches * Investigate and ...

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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:
What states have the most Senior Kernel Developer jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Kernel Developer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Senior Kernel Developer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Kernel Developer jobs are:
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.
Sr. Sensor Engineer - Data Protection (Hybrid)

Sr. Sensor Engineer - Data Protection (Hybrid)

CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc.

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

$122K - $168K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

As a global leader in cybersecurity, CrowdStrike protects the people, processes and technologies that drive modern organizations. Since 2011, our mission hasn't changed - we're here to stop breaches, and we've redefined modern security with the world's most advanced AI-native platform. We work on large scale distributed systems, processing almost 3 trillion events per day and this traffic is growing daily. Our customers span all industries, and they count on CrowdStrike to keep their businesses running, their communities safe and their lives moving forward. We're proud to work for a mission-driven company leveraging AI to transform the way we work. CrowdStrikers drive their careers through flexibility and autonomy while also being expected to contribute to a culture of responsible AI adoption, experimentation, and innovation. We use an AI-first mindset as a force multiplier to proactively and continuously accelerate execution, build expertise, uncover insights, and solve complex problems. We're always looking to add talented CrowdStrikers to the team who have limitless passion, a relentless focus on innovation and a fanatical commitment to our customers, our community and each other. Ready to join a mission that matters? The future of cybersecurity starts with you.
About the Team:
You'll be joining the Data Protection Team in our Data Security Product Group, whose mission is to build a unified data security system which enables customers to identify and investigate insider threats, identify access to and movement of sensitive data, and ensure regulatory compliance by mitigating data loss risk.
About the Role:
CrowdStrike Falcon is a two-component security product. One component is a "sensor": a driver installed on client machines that observes system activity and recognizes malicious behavior, then provides on-box prevention capability and remote telemetry to the Falcon cloud. The sensor processes thousands of events per second to provide deep visibility into operations on the endpoint, and performs rich correlation and computation to identify malicious events and block malicious activity.
The cloud component aggregates sensor telemetry for each customer's network, correlates malicious behavior across multiple machines, and presents our customers' operations teams with a prioritized summary of the threats detected in their environments.
This is a Senior Windows Kernel Developer role in the engineering team that delivers data protection-focused functionality in the sensor (lightweight agent) on Windows. Engineers on the team own the design and development of core features on the platform, operating across both kernel and user mode. The team operates under Agile development principles and ships frequently.
As AI-driven tools and agents become increasingly prevalent on the endpoint, our data protection capabilities must evolve to understand and account for that activity. Engineers on this team are expected to develop solutions that are AI-aware, including reasoning about how AI agent behavior intersects with data access and movement patterns we monitor and protect against.
This is a hybrid role based out of our offices in Sunnyvale, CA, Redmond, WA, Austin, TX, or NYC, NY (once the development center is established).
What You'll Do:
  • Design and develop data protection-focused functionality spanning kernel-mode components, including Windows filesystem minifilter drivers, and user-mode components on Windows systems
  • Implement new data protection capabilities across a growing set of data access and transfer scenarios on the endpoint
  • Build and maintain AI-aware detection and protection logic, accounting for the ways AI agents and tools interact with sensitive data on the endpoint
  • Own features from design to delivery, including post-ship support and customer issue resolution
  • Collaborate with multi-functional teams across various physical locations
  • Leverage AI-assisted development tools to improve engineering productivity and solution quality
  • Other projects as assigned

What You'll Need:
  • Degree in Computer Science (or professional experience in kernel mode/user mode development on Windows in C/C++)
  • Ability to develop high-quality code in C++
  • Windows filesystem minifilter driver development experience
  • Experience developing across both kernel mode and user mode on Windows, with a strong understanding of kernel-to-user space IPC best practices
  • Understanding of the Windows filesystem filter model, the basics of local and remote filesystem implementations, and the corresponding interfaces at the filesystem minifilter level
  • Experience with kernel-level debugging processes and tools
  • Ability to demonstrate C/C++ and Windows kernel/user mode development capabilities, be it through job experience, schoolwork, or contributions to community projects
  • Proven experience utilizing AI technologies to enhance decision-making, streamline workflows and processes, improve efficiency and drive business outcomes.

Nice to Have:
  • Familiarity with AI agent ecosystems and how AI-driven tools interact with the filesystem and operating system at a behavioral level
  • Experience with or interest in AI-assisted development workflows, including agentic coding tools such as Claude Code
  • Experience in the security industry, particularly in endpoint or data security

#LI-IL1
#LI-DG1
Benefits of Working at CrowdStrike:
  • Market leader in compensation and equity awards
  • Comprehensive physical and mental wellness programs
  • Competitive vacation and holidays for recharge
  • Paid parental and adoption leaves
  • Professional development opportunities for all employees regardless of level or role
  • Employee Networks, geographic neighborhood groups, and volunteer opportunities to build connections
  • Vibrant office culture with world class amenities
  • Great Place to Work Certified™ across the globe

CrowdStrike is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging where everyone is valued for who they are and empowered to succeed. We support veterans and individuals with disabilities through our affirmative action program.
CrowdStrike is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment. The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy or pregnancy-related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status, veteran status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, status with regard to public assistance, or any other characteristic protected by law. We base all employment decisions--including recruitment, selection, training, compensation, benefits, discipline, promotions, transfers, lay-offs, return from lay-off, terminations and social/recreational programs--on valid job requirements.
If you need assistance accessing or reviewing the information on this website or need help submitting an application for employment or requesting an accommodation, please contact us at recruiting@crowdstrike.com for further assistance.
Find out more about your rights as an applicant.
CrowdStrike participates in the E-Verify program.
Notice of E-Verify Participation
Right to Work
CrowdStrike, Inc. is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. Placement within the pay range is dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications, job level, supervisory status, and location. The base salary range for this position for all U.S. candidates is $140,000 - $215,000 per year, with eligibility for bonuses, equity grants and a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, 401k and paid time off.
For detailed information about the U.S. benefits package, please click here.

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About CrowdStrike

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

#WeAreCrowdStrike and our mission is to stop breaches. As a global leader in cybersecurity, our team changed the game. Since our inception, our market leading cloud-native platform has offered unparalleled protection against the most sophisticated cyberattacks. We're looking for people with limitless passion, a relentless focus on innovation and a fanatical commitment to the customer to join us in shaping the future of cybersecurity. Consistently recognized as a top workplace, CrowdStrike is committed to cultivating an inclusive, remote-first culture that offers people the autonomy and flexibility to balance the needs of work and life while taking their career to the next level. Interested in working for a company that sets the standard and leads with integrity? Join us on a mission that matters - one team, one fight.

Industry

It services

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Sunnyvale, CA, US

Year founded

2012