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Software Engineer Kernel Jobs (NOW HIRING)

DigitalOcean

Staff Software Engineer, Kernel

Seattle, WA · Hybrid

$191K - $239K/yr

We are looking for a Staff Engineer who is passionate about the Linux kernel. As a Staff Engineer ... You will bridge hardware and software, driving system-level architecture, debugging performance ...

Arista Networks

Arista Networks is looking for world-class Linux Kernel and BIOS software engineers to join our Dublin Kernel software team. Our Kernel team is responsible for keeping pace with the latest ...

CoreWeave

Systems Engineer, Kernel

New York, NY

$165K - $242K/yr

As a kernel generalist, you will be responsible for debugging kernel-level issues, analyzing and ... Experience as a software engineer writing large-scale applications * Experience with machine ...

CoreWeave

Systems Engineer, Kernel

Livingston, NJ · On-site

$165K - $242K/yr

As a kernel generalist, you will be responsible for debugging kernel-level issues, analyzing and ... Experience as a software engineer writing large-scale applications * Experience with machine ...

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Software Engineer Kernel information

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$50.5K

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How much do software engineer kernel jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for software engineer kernel in the United States is $133,968.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $115,500.00 and $153,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a software engineer kernel, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Software Engineer Kernel, you need expertise in C/C++ programming, operating system concepts, and low-level debugging, often supported by a computer science degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, kernel build tools, and platforms such as Linux or Windows kernel environments is typically required. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and strong problem-solving skills help you stand out in this role. These abilities are crucial for developing robust, efficient, and secure kernel components that form the foundation of stable operating systems.

What are typical challenges faced by a software engineer kernel when working on operating system development?

Software Engineer Kernel specialists often encounter challenges such as debugging complex low-level issues, ensuring system stability, and maintaining compatibility with a wide range of hardware. They must frequently collaborate with hardware engineers and other software teams to resolve cross-disciplinary problems. Additionally, kernel engineers need to manage strict performance and security requirements, which requires a deep understanding of system architecture and careful code optimization.

What is the difference between Software Engineer Kernel vs Software Engineer Firmware?

AspectSoftware Engineer KernelSoftware Engineer Firmware
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or related; often requires knowledge of OS conceptsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering; embedded systems knowledge
Work EnvironmentOperating system development, kernel modules, system-level programmingEmbedded devices, hardware interfaces, low-level programming
Industry UsageOperating system companies, hardware manufacturers, tech firmsConsumer electronics, automotive, IoT devices
Search & ComparisonOften compared due to low-level programming focus and system impactDifferent focus on hardware interaction and embedded systems

Software Engineer Kernel and Software Engineer Firmware both work with low-level programming, but the Kernel role focuses on operating system core development, while Firmware engineers develop embedded software for hardware devices. Their skills overlap in C programming and hardware knowledge, but their work environments and end goals differ significantly.

What is a software engineer kernel?

Software Engineer Kernels are professionals who design, develop, and maintain the core part of an operating system known as the kernel. The kernel is responsible for managing hardware resources, facilitating communication between hardware and software, and ensuring system stability and security. Kernel engineers often work with low-level programming languages like C or C++ and focus on tasks such as device driver development, memory management, process scheduling, and performance optimization. Their work is critical for the reliability and efficiency of computers, servers, and embedded systems.
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Software Engineer Kernel jobs near you
Infographic showing various Software Engineer Kernel job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,968 per year, or $64.4 per hour.

Staff Software Engineer, Kernel

DigitalOcean

Seattle, WA • Hybrid

$191K - $239K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

We are looking for a Staff Engineer who is passionate about the Linux kernel. 

As a Staff Engineer at DigitalOcean, you will work as a high-level technical leader responsible for designing, optimizing, and maintaining Linux kernels for our compute and GPU fleets. You will optimize and enhance core system performance, resiliency, and security, ensuring our products consistently exceed customer expectations. You will bridge hardware and software, driving system-level architecture, debugging performance bottlenecks, and mentoring senior engineers.

What You'll Do:
  • Optimize kernels for performance and resiliency across the DigitalOcean fleet for storage, networking, and virtualization
  • Drive cross-functional engineering initiatives and influence hardware roadmaps without direct authority
  • Define low-level software architecture
  • Tune kernels for low latency, high throughput, and power efficiency
  • Diagnose and resolve issues in the kernel
  • Deliver critical kernel fixes and security mitigations with kernel live patches
  • Investigate and resolve virtual machine downtime and kernel issues in our production environment
  • Implement monitoring and alerting of key metrics to drive resiliency of compute infrastructure
  • Improve tooling and automation for testing and deployment of Linux kernels
  • Lead initiatives to enhance shared infrastructure, balancing performance optimization with rigorous security standards
  • Work cross-functionally to harness new performance capabilities from evolving hardware architectures
  • Participate in on-call rotations as needed to support system reliability
  • Work with Linux kernel community to push changes upstream
What You'll Add to DigitalOcean:
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, or Computer/Electrical Engineering or equivalent work experience
  • Experience maintaining Linux kernels for large-scale cloud infrastructure, with a deep understanding of operating system internals
  • Broad knowledge of the Linux kernel and kernel subsystems
  • Demonstrated experience with kernel patching and debugging
  • Debugging skills with Linux kernel and kernel drivers
  • Expertise in C/C++ programming and one or more scripting languages
  • Familiarity with compiler toolchains, build environments
  • Experience with Linux virtualization using KVM, QEMU
  • General understanding of Linux kernel security mechanisms and common security concepts
  • Familiarity with x86_64 and/or ARM architectures
  • Experience contributing patches to the upstream Linux kernel community is highly preferred
  • Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems at scale
  • Excellent cross-team collaboration and communication skills
  • Professional-level written and spoken English with strong presentation abilities
Compensation Range: 
  • $191,200 - $239,000

*This is a hybrid role

JR: 2026-7920

#LI-Hybrid

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