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Senior Linux Kernel Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

NAVA Software Solutions

Sr. Linux Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Senior Linux Engineer Location: Chicago, IL or Kennesaw, GA or Chandler, AZ (Hybrid role) Duration: 12 months * We are seeking to fill a senior level Linux Engineering position. * Candidate will have ...

Cboe Global Markets

Senior Linux Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Role Overview We are seeking a Senior Linux Platform Engineer to join our Systems Platform Engineer ... In-depth knowledge of Linux internals, kernel tuning, and performance diagnostics. * Hands-on ...

Simplex Trading

Infrastructure Engineer

Chicago, IL

$110K - $145K/yr

Thorough understanding of Linux (kernel, modules, filesystems) with special emphasis on the network stack, especially multicast, and OpenOnload * Experience working with Linux and standard tools ...

DTI

Senior Software Engineer - Low Latency

Chicago, IL · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

Senior Software Engineer - Low Latency Location: Chicago, IL (Primary) / New York, NY Work Schedule ... Advanced knowledge of Linux OS and Linux kernel internals. * Experience tuning applications for ...

Geneva Trading

Mid-level Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

Geneva Trading is seeking a Mid-Level System Engineer to join our Core Infrastructure team in ... Advanced Linux: Deep knowledge of the Linux kernel, system internals, and performance profiling ...

Old Mission

C++ Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

... the Linux kernel, systems programming • A passion for solving challenging problems • Strong systems knowledge and prefer some experience in developing low latency systems • Experience with ...

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Senior Linux Kernel Engineer information

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How much do senior linux kernel engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior linux kernel engineer in Chicago, IL is $60.53, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49.52 and $74.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the average salary for a Linux engineer?

The average salary for a Linux engineer varies based on experience, location, and skills, but typically ranges from $80,000 to $130,000 annually. Senior Linux Kernel Engineers with advanced expertise and certifications can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $150,000 in some regions.

How much does a canonical Linux kernel engineer make?

A senior Linux kernel engineer typically earns between $100,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. Skilled engineers with expertise in kernel development, debugging, and performance tuning are in high demand and may receive higher compensation packages.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior Linux Kernel Engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills in kernel development, and often working in high-demand industries or companies can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially with bonuses and stock options. Such compensation typically requires advanced expertise, certifications, and a strong track record in systems programming and performance optimization.

What is a kernel engineer?

A kernel engineer is a software professional who designs, develops, and maintains the kernel of an operating system, such as Linux. They work on core system components, device drivers, and performance optimization, often using programming languages like C and tools such as debugging and version control systems.

What is the difference between Senior Linux Kernel Engineer vs Linux Device Driver Developer?

AspectSenior Linux Kernel EngineerLinux Device Driver Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Computer Science, Linux kernel certificationsBachelor's in Computer Science, Linux kernel or driver development courses
Work EnvironmentResearch and development, kernel development teamsHardware integration, driver development teams
Industry UsageOperating system development, embedded systemsHardware manufacturers, embedded systems, IoT devices
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

The Senior Linux Kernel Engineer focuses on designing, developing, and optimizing the Linux kernel itself, often working on core system functionalities. In contrast, a Linux Device Driver Developer specializes in creating and maintaining drivers that enable hardware components to communicate with the Linux kernel. While both roles require deep Linux kernel knowledge and similar credentials, their work environments and focus areas differ. The senior engineer works on kernel internals, whereas the driver developer concentrates on hardware integration.

What are the most commonly searched types of Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? For Senior Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Senior Linux Kernel Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Linux Kernel Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 2% As Needed, 43% Full Time, 44% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,912 per year, or $60.5 per hour.
Senior Linux Platform Engineer

Senior Linux Platform Engineer

Request Technology, LLC

Chicago, IL • On-site

Other

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

***We are unable to sponsor as this is a permanent full time role***

***4 Days Onsite***

A prestigious company is looking for a Senior Linux Platform Engineer. This role is focused on Linux infrastructure, performance, reliability, etc. Also needed for this role is experience with Python, Bash, Ansible, SaltStack, Kernel Tuning, Kubernetes, etc.

Responsibilities:

  • Managing and improving our Linux-based infrastructure with a focus on performance, reliability, and scalability.
  • Designing, deploying, and maintaining on-premises Kubernetes clusters and containerized workloads.
  • Developing and maintaining system-level software, middleware, and APIs to support internal platforms and services.
  • Automating system workflows and infrastructure tasks using Python, Bash, and configuration management tools like SaltStack.
  • Building and maintaining RPM packages and internal software repositories.
  • Collaborating with Application Support (SRE), Development, and Security teams to ensure secure, automated CI/CD and platform integration.
  • Diagnosing and resolving complex system-level issues involving the OS, network, or container runtime.
  • Implementing hardened security configurations, including system hardening, secure communications, and identity/access integration.
  • Participating in an on-call rotation to support critical infrastructure services.
  • Documenting architectures, tools, and operational processes to support long-term maintainability.

Qualifications:

  • 5+ years of experience in Linux systems administration and infrastructure/platform engineering.
  • Production experience managing Kubernetes, preferably in bare-metal or on-premises environments (e.g., with kubeadm, RKE, or OpenShift).
  • Strong scripting and automation skills in Python and Bash.
  • In-depth knowledge of Linux internals, kernel tuning, and performance diagnostics.
  • Hands-on experience with SaltStack (preferred), Puppet, or Ansible for configuration management.
  • Familiarity with observability tools such as Prometheus, Grafana, or Loki.
  • Solid understanding of core infrastructure protocols and services (TCP/IP, DNS, NTP/PTP, DHCP, etc.). Experience managing CI/CD pipelines with tools such as Jenkins, GitLab, or similar.

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