1

Senior Linux Kernel Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

* Senior Linux Systems Engineer - (Kernel & Performance) * New York, NY (Hybrid, 3 days in office) * Highly competitive compensation package Join an elite technology and research group at the forefront ...

* Senior Linux Systems Engineer - (Kernel & Performance) * New York, NY (Hybrid, 3 days in office) * Highly competitive compensation package Join an elite technology and research group at the forefront ...

Systems Engineer, Kernel

Livingston, NJ · On-site

$165K - $242K/yr

Linux Kernel (custom build), Ubuntu * Intel/AMD/ARM CPUs, Nvidia GPUs, DPUs, Infiniband and ... Strong C programming skills with the ability to write maintainable and upstream-quality code.

Linux Kernel (custom build), Ubuntu * Intel/AMD/ARM CPUs, Nvidia GPUs, DPUs, Infiniband and ... Strong C programming skills with the ability to write maintainable and upstream-quality code.

Senior Linux Systems Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$125K - $150K/yr

We are looking for a highly motivated Senior Linux Systems Engineer to join our Computing Team! You ... Optimize system performance through kernel and filesystem tuning; identify and eliminate I/O ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Senior Linux Kernel Engineer information

See salary details

$10

$58

$76

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

As of Jun 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior linux kernel engineer in the United States is $58.76, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48.08 and $72.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

More about Senior Linux Kernel Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Senior Linux Kernel Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Senior Linux Kernel Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Linux Kernel Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Linux Kernel Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Linux Kernel Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Linux Kernel Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Senior Linux Kernel Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, and 8% Part Time. Highlights an 87% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $122,228 per year, or $58.8 per hour.

Senior Linux Engineer

Elliot Partnership

Manhattan, NY • Hybrid

Other

Posted 26 days ago


Job description

  • Senior Linux Systems Engineer - (Kernel & Performance)
  • New York, NY (Hybrid, 3 days in office)
  • Highly competitive compensation package
Join an elite technology and research group at the forefront of global finance, where world-class engineering and quantitative research converge to solve some of the most complex problems in any industry. Their teams are composed of passionate problem-solvers who operate in a dynamic, large-scale, low-latency IT environment. We are seeking a visionary engineer to drive deep optimization and development within the Linux operating system, ensuring the firm's complex trading and research platforms operate with maximum performance and efficiency.
The Role
We are seeking a deeply experienced Senior Linux Systems Developer for our Quant Systems team. This is a crucial, hands-on role for a true low-level systems expert who thrives on optimizing performance at the operating system level. You will be a key technical leader responsible for tuning, analyzing, and developing components within the Linux kernel and user space to support our most demanding HPC and low-latency workloads. You will act as a force multiplier by solving the most challenging performance bottlenecks, mentoring other engineers, and setting the standard for deep systems expertise.
Responsibilities:
  • Lead the design and execution of high-impact projects focused on optimizing the performance and reducing the latency of our core Linux-based HPC and trading infrastructure.
  • Develop, debug, and maintain low-level systems software, potentially including kernel modules, eBPF programs, or performance analysis tools, primarily using C, Go, or Python.
  • Serve as a senior escalation point for the most complex Linux systems issues, diagnosing and resolving deep technical challenges related to kernel behavior, performance anomalies, and hardware/OS interactions.
  • Drive the architecture for ultra-performant Linux environments, making key design decisions for production systems based on deep OS-level knowledge.
  • Mentor and guide other engineers, championing best practices in low-level systems development, performance tuning, and diagnostics.
Your experience:
  • 10+ years of experience in a senior systems development or performance engineering role with a track record of success in complex, performance-critical Linux environments.
  • Expert-level proficiency in C or Go, with significant experience in Python also valued; proven track record of developing systems-level software (not just scripting).
  • Deep, hands-on expertise with the Linux operating system internals, including kernel tuning, debugging (gdb, perf, strace), eBPF, and systems administration in a large-scale, performance-sensitive environment.
  • Demonstrated experience leading technical projects, driving deep architectural decisions, and mentoring other engineers in systems programming or performance analysis.
  • Strong knowledge of configuration management tools (e.g. Ansible, Salt) and CI/CD concepts.
  • Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex low-level concepts to a variety of audiences.