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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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 +1

$175K - $300K/yr

In-depth knowledge of the Linux kernel, systems programming * A passion for solving challenging problems * Strong systems knowledge and prefer some experience in developing low latency systems

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

As of Jul 17, 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 salary of Linux kernel engineer?

The salary of a Senior Linux Kernel Engineer typically ranges from $100,000 to $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. Skilled engineers with expertise in kernel development, C programming, and Linux systems can earn higher compensation, especially in tech hubs or with specialized certifications.

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. Compensation may include base salary, bonuses, and stock options, especially in large tech firms or startups with significant funding.

How much do kernel engineers make?

Senior Linux Kernel Engineers typically earn between $100,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. Advanced skills in C programming, kernel development, and familiarity with tools like Git can influence salary levels.

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
Senior Linux Platform Engineer

Senior Linux Platform Engineer

Request Technology, LLC

Chicago, IL • On-site

Other

Re-posted 18 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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