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Software Engineer Kernel Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Futran Tech Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

GPU Software Engineer

$138K - $185K/yr

GPU Software Engineer Location: USA(Remote) Role Summary We are seeking expert-level GPU Software ... GEMM kernel development (matrix multiplication kernels) * Porting ML models to new hardware ...

JS Consulting

Senior Software Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$131K - $173K/yr

Job Title- Senior Software Engineer Project Location - Irvine, CA (Onsite) Duration- 12+ months ... Board and kernel level development * AOSP builds, Android framework * Integrating packages and ...

Chipton Ross

Software Engineer

Owego, NY · On-site

$80/hr

Demonstrated understanding of secure coding practices for kernel space (avoid leaks, race ... The engineer will collaborate with hardware, security, and software teams to deliver a stable, high ...

Qualcomm

Staff Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software Engineering General Summary: As a leading ... Develop and enhance features in the Linux Kernel , particularly in areas such as virtualization ...

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 ...

Apple

Linux Kernel Engineer

Seattle, WA

$142K - $263K/yr

... software (e.g., kernel modules, device drivers, or core OS components). Proven ability to debug ... Strong programming skills in C, plus proficiency in at least one of Rust, Go, Python, or Bash.

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Software Engineer Kernel information

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$50.5K

$134K

$177K

How much do software engineer kernel jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 4, 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 Software Engineer Kernel specialists 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 are Software Engineer Kernels?

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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What cities are hiring for Software Engineer Kernel jobs? Cities with the most Software Engineer Kernel job openings:
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Software Engineer Kernel jobs near you
Infographic showing various Software Engineer Kernel job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 1% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,968 per year, or $64.4 per hour.

Kernel Development Engineer

Futran Tech Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Remote

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Senior GPU Software Engineer - PyTorch / Triton (Kernel Development)
Location: Remote
Job Description:
Role Summary
We are seeking expert-level GPU software engineers to support a high-visibility platform initiative within the Maya program, focused on building software tooling on top of a custom compiler and SDK.
The role involves developing, optimizing, and porting GPU kernels and AI workloads to a specialized hardware platform.
This is a critical and time-sensitive engagement with immediate onboarding expectations and long-term roadmap alignment (~18 months).
Key Responsibilities
Develop GPU kernels for specialized hardware platforms using PyTorch/Triton frameworks
Build software solutions leveraging custom compiler and SDK capabilities
Design and implement kernel-level optimizations to control hardware execution behavior
Port open-source AI/ML models to custom SDK environments
Develop stress testing and validation workloads aligned to hardware behaviour and platform validation
Support testing and stress testing of current and next-generation hardware platforms
Collaborate closely with platform architects and compiler teams to enhance system capabilities
Core Technical Skills (Must-Have)
Programming & Frameworks
Python
C/C++ (systems-level programming)
PyTorch
Triton (Triton language / kernel development)
GPU & Systems Expertise
GPU kernel development (mandatory and critical)
Strong understanding of GPU architecture and compute optimization
Experience with compiler-based optimizations / runtime execution layers
Experience with custom SDKs or hardware abstraction layers
Performance & Workloads
Experience in:
GEMM kernel development (matrix multiplication kernels)
Porting ML models to new hardware platforms
Performance tuning and stress testing at system level

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