1

Senior Kernel Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Linux Kernel Software Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Linux Kernel Software Engineer to join the Linux networking drivers R&D ... developer testing, and post-GA support. * Drive complex technical issues to closure that may occur ...

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 ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Senior Kernel Developer information

See salary details

$25K

$80.3K

$163.5K

How much do senior kernel developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 28, 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.

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:
Infographic showing various Senior Kernel Developer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,287 per year, or $38.6 per hour.
Senior Principal Software Engineer - 5 (Linux Kernel Engineer)

Senior Principal Software Engineer - 5 (Linux Kernel Engineer)

Oracle

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

$147K - $203K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago


Oracle rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 146 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

40th of 192 rated software companies


Job description


The Oracle Cloud Linux team is seeking experienced Linux Kernel Developers to help advance the Linux operating system for large-scale cloud environments. This role involves contributing to Linux kernel and working on innovative projects across multiple kernel subsystems, including networking, storage, security, performance optimization, virtual memory management, architecture enablement, and live patching technologies.
Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
• Design, develop, and optimize kernel features across areas such as:
o Networking (Ethernet, InfiniBand, OFED, RoCE, DPDK, and related technologies)
o Storage and Filesystems (iSCSI, Fibre Channel, NFS, ZFS, Btrfs, block layer, and filesystem layer)
o Virtual Memory Management and Performance Optimization, including large page management and container workload performance
o Security technologies such as encryption, TPM integration, signed kernels/modules, Secure Boot, and bootloader security
• Contribute to the upstream Linux kernel and drive enhancements for cloud-scale deployments.
• Collaborate closely with hardware design teams on processor bring-up and architecture enablement initiatives.
Required Qualifications
• Strong background in operating systems development.
• Several years of hands-on Unix/Linux kernel development experience preferred.
• Proficiency in C programming and kernel-level debugging.
• Expertise in one or more Linux kernel subsystems, including networking, storage, memory management, security, or processor architecture.
• Experience with open-source development practices and upstream kernel contributions is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with Python and Bash scripting for development and automation tasks.
Preferred Experience
• High-performance networking technologies such as RoCE, advanced Ethernet networking.
• Filesystem and storage technologies including XFS, ZFS, NFS, iSCSI, Fibre Channel, and Linux block layer development.
• Virtual memory management, performance tuning, and container optimization.
• Security technologies including TPM, Secure Boot, kernel signing, and encryption frameworks.
• Live patching technologies and kernel maintenance.
Qualifications
Disclaimer:
Certain U.S. based or U.S. customer or client-facing roles may be required to comply with applicable requirements, such as immunization/occupational health mandates, and/or drug testing requirements.
Range and benefit information provided in this posting are specific to the stated locations only
US: Hiring Range in USD from: $96,800 to $306,400 per annum. May be eligible for bonus, equity, and compensation deferral.
Oracle maintains broad salary ranges for its roles in order to account for variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions and locations, as well as reflect Oracle's differing products, industries and lines of business.
Candidates are typically placed into the range based on the preceding factors as well as internal peer equity.
Oracle US offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes the following:
1. Medical, dental, and vision insurance, including expert medical opinion
2. Short term disability and long term disability
3. Life insurance and AD&D
4. Supplemental life insurance (Employee/Spouse/Child)
5. Health care and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts
6. Pre-tax commuter and parking benefits
7. 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan with company match
8. Paid time off: Flexible Vacation is provided to all eligible employees assigned to a salaried (non-overtime eligible) position. Accrued Vacation is provided to all other employees eligible for vacation benefits. For employees working at least 35 hours per week, the vacation accrual rate is 13 days annually for the first three years of employment and 18 days annually for subsequent years of employment. Vacation accrual is prorated for employees working between 20 and 34 hours per week. Employees working fewer than 20 hours per week are not eligible for vacation.
9. 11 paid holidays
10. Paid sick leave: 72 hours of paid sick leave upon date of hire. Refreshes each calendar year. Unused balance will carry over each year up to a maximum cap of 112 hours.
11. Paid parental leave
12. Adoption assistance
13. Employee Stock Purchase Plan
14. Financial planning and group legal
15. Voluntary benefits including auto, homeowner and pet insurance
The role will generally accept applications for at least three calendar days from the posting date or as long as the job remains posted.
Career Level - IC5
About Us
Only Oracle brings together the data, infrastructure, applications, and expertise to power everything from industry innovations to life-saving care. And with AI embedded across our products and services, we help customers turn that promise into a better future for all. Discover your potential at a company leading the way in AI and cloud solutions that impact billions of lives.
True innovation starts when everyone is empowered to contribute. That's why we're committed to growing a workforce that promotes opportunities for all with competitive benefits that support our people with flexible medical, life insurance, and retirement options. We also encourage employees to give back to their communities through our volunteer programs.
We're committed to including people with disabilities at all stages of the employment process. If you require accessibility assistance or accommodation for a disability at any point, let us know by emailing accommodation-request_mb@oracle.com or by calling 1-888-404-2494 in the United States.
Oracle is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and protected veterans' status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Oracle will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records pursuant to applicable law.

What Oracle employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Oracle logo

About Oracle

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

An Oracle career can span industries, roles, Countries and cultures, giving you the opportunity to flourish in new roles and innovate, while blending work life in. Oracle has thrived through 40+ years of change by innovating and operating with integrity while delivering for the top companies in almost every industry. In order to nurture the talent that makes this happen, we are committed to an inclusive culture that celebrates and values diverse insights and perspectives, a workforce that inspires thought leadership and innovation. Oracle offers a highly competitive suite of Employee Benefits designed on the principles of parity, consistency, and affordability. The overall package includes certain core elements such as Medical, Life Insurance, access to Retirement Planning, and much more. We also encourage our employees to engage in the culture of giving back to the communities where we live and do business. At Oracle, we believe that innovation starts with diversity and inclusion and to create the future we need talent from various backgrounds, perspectives, and abilities. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to successfully participate in the job application, interview process, and in potential roles. to perform crucial job functions. That's why we're committed to creating a workforce where all individuals can do their best work. It's when everyone's voice is heard and valued that we're inspired to go beyond what's been done before.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Redwood City, CA, US

Year founded

1977

Social media