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Virtual Linux Kernel Developer Jobs in San Francisco, CA

S3staffingusa Inc

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Embedded Systems Security Engineer

Foster City, CA · On-site

$40 - $60/hr

... through the Linux kernel. Storage & Integrity Management * Implement dm-verity for ... Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related ...

S3staffingusa Inc

Be Seen First

Embedded Systems Security Engineer

Foster City, CA · On-site

$40 - $60/hr

... through the Linux kernel. Storage & Integrity Management * Implement dm-verity for ... Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related ...

Verkada

Senior Embedded Linux Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$141K - $185K/yr

Familiar with Linux servers, Linux device drivers, Linux kernel patches, secure operating systems and security focused programming. * Familiarity with RTOS, Secure Boot, Go, WebRTC * Experience ...

Tech-mex

Linux Engineer

Pleasanton, CA · On-site

Lead Linux Kernels Engineer with C, ARM experience needed for US software companies. We have a key ... Strong knowledge and experience in OS Hardening, Performance Tuning, Kernel Customization * Able to ...

Tech-Mex

Linux Engineer

Pleasanton, CA · On-site

Lead Linux Kernels Engineer with C, ARM experience needed for US software companies. We have a key ... Kernel Customization Able to write Shell and Perl scripts Good knowledge and experience in System ...

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All JobsLinux Kernel Developer JobsVirtual Linux Kernel Developer JobsVirtual Linux Kernel Developer Jobs in San Francisco, CA

Virtual Linux Kernel Developer information

See San Francisco, CA salary details

$119K

$175.6K

$207.4K

How much do virtual linux kernel developer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for virtual linux kernel developer in San Francisco, CA is $175,621.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $160,800.00 and $194,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a virtual Linux kernel developer do?

A Virtual Linux Kernel Developer specializes in designing, developing, and maintaining the core components of the Linux operating system, particularly in virtualized environments. This includes working on kernel modules, optimizing performance for virtual machines, and fixing bugs related to virtualization technologies. They often collaborate with open-source communities and contribute to projects that enhance Linux's compatibility with different hypervisors and cloud platforms. Their role is critical in ensuring the efficiency, security, and stability of Linux systems running in virtualized settings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a virtual Linux kernel developer?

To thrive as a Virtual Linux Kernel Developer, you need deep expertise in Linux kernel architecture, C programming, and operating system concepts, typically supported by a degree in Computer Science or related fields. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, debugging tools such as GDB, and experience with virtualization technologies (e.g., KVM, QEMU) are essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective remote communication distinguish outstanding professionals in this role. These skills are crucial for developing robust kernel modules, diagnosing complex issues, and collaborating efficiently within distributed development teams.

What are some common challenges faced by virtual Linux kernel developers when debugging complex virtualization issues?

Virtual Linux Kernel Developers often encounter intricate challenges when debugging issues related to virtualization, such as timing discrepancies, non-deterministic behavior, and compatibility with diverse hypervisors. These issues can be difficult to isolate since they may only manifest under specific workloads or hardware configurations. Collaboration with systems engineers, QA teams, and sometimes upstream kernel communities is usually essential to identify root causes and implement robust solutions. Being comfortable with low-level debugging tools, kernel logs, and patch testing in virtual environments is key to overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Virtual Linux Kernel Developer vs Virtual Linux System Programmer?

AspectVirtual Linux Kernel DeveloperVirtual Linux System Programmer
Primary FocusDeveloping and maintaining Linux kernel codeWriting and optimizing system-level software for Linux
Required SkillsC programming, kernel architecture, debugging kernel modulesC, C++, system calls, device drivers
Work EnvironmentCollaborative development, version control, Linux environmentsSystem integration, testing, Linux-based systems
Industry UsageOpen-source projects, tech companies, hardware vendorsIT services, embedded systems, enterprise solutions

While both roles involve Linux and system-level programming, Virtual Linux Kernel Developers focus on kernel code development, whereas Virtual Linux System Programmers work on system software and application interfaces. Understanding these distinctions helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What are the most commonly searched types of Linux Kernel Developer jobs in San Francisco, CA?

The most popular types of Linux Kernel Developer jobs in San Francisco, CA are:

What are popular job titles related to Virtual Linux Kernel Developer jobs in San Francisco, CA?

For Virtual Linux Kernel Developer jobs in San Francisco, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Virtual Linux Kernel Developer jobs in San Francisco, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Virtual Linux Kernel Developer jobs in San Francisco, CA are:

What cities near San Francisco, CA are hiring for Virtual Linux Kernel Developer jobs?

Cities near San Francisco, CA with the most Virtual Linux Kernel Developer job openings:

Virtual Linux Kernel Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Virtual Linux Kernel Developer job openings in San Francisco, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $175,621 per year, or $84.4 per hour.

Embedded Systems Security Engineer

S3staffingusa Inc

Foster City, CA • On-site

$40 - $60/hr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

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Job description

Employment Type: Both Contract and Fulltime available


We are looking for an Embedded Systems Security Engineer to implement security solution to harden our next-generation embedded Linux platform. In this role, you will bridge the gap between low-level hardware security, kernel hardening, and secure user-space application containment.

You will not only design cryptographic defense mechanisms but will also automate security pipelines in CI/CD and partner directly with manufacturing teams to ensure devices are provisioned securely and reliably at scale without production risks.

 

Roles & Responsibilities

Platform Hardening & Architecture

  • Design and implement the Hardware Root of Trust and Secure Boot architecture from the first-stage bootloader through the Linux kernel.

Storage & Integrity Management

  • Implement dm-verity for cryptographically verified read-only root filesystems and secure data encryption at rest.

Trusted Execution Environments

  • Develop, integrate, and maintain a TEE (e.g., OP-TEE) and author Secure/Trusted Applications (TAs).

Application Sandboxing

  • Enforce strict user-space isolation and sandboxing strategies using SELinux, AppArmor, cgroups, namespaces, and seccomp filters to protect core systems from untrusted applications.

DevSecOps Automation

  • Build automated cryptographic signing pipelines within CI/CD infrastructure (e.g., GitLab CI, GitHub Actions) to securely sign bootloaders, kernels, and OTA payloads using HSMs or secure key vaults.

 

Production Provisioning Support

  • Collaborate with manufacturing teams to write robust scripts and tools for burning permanent hardware configuration fuses (eFuses / OTP memory) securely, designing end-of-line (EOL) test software to validate security features before shipping.

System Resilience

  • Architect multi-slot boot recovery layouts (e.g., A/B partitioning) to guarantee fail-safe resilience against failed OTA updates or corrupted boots.

 

Qualifications

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent practical experience).

Core Experience

  • 6+ years of professional experience in Embedded Linux development, board bring-up, and Board Support Package (BSP) customization.

Security Focus

  • 3+ years of dedicated, hands-on experience deploying device-level security features into physical production hardware.

Low-Level Systems

  • Expert knowledge of bootloader configurations (e.g., U-Boot Verified Boot, Barebox) and customizing the Linux kernel storage/security subsystem (dm-crypt, dm-verity).

Hardware Security Architecture

  • Deep understanding of modern processor security architectures, specifically ARM TrustZone (ARMv7-A / ARMv8-A, Exception Levels EL1–EL3).

Sandboxing & Access Controls

  • Proven track record implementing SELinux/AppArmor policies and utilizing standard Linux containment tools (cgroups, namespaces).

Build Automation

  • Proficiency with embedded Linux build automated frameworks like the Yocto Project (BitBake recipe design) or Buildroot.

Programming

  • Advanced proficiency in C and strong scripting skills in Python or Bash.

 

Preferred Qualifications

Cryptography Expertise

  • Strong foundational knowledge of symmetric/asymmetric cryptography, hashing algorithms (SHA-256/384), public key infrastructure (PKI), and handling physical Hardware Security Modules (HSMs).

Manufacturing Scale

  • Prior experience working with Contract Manufacturers (CMs) or internal factory lines to deploy secure key-injection and fuse-burning protocols.

Advanced Sandboxing

  • Experience with embedded container runtimes (e.g., LXC, crun) or lightweight sandboxing frameworks tailored for resource-constrained architectures.

Anti-Rollback Protection

  • Experience designing secure versioning and hardware-enforced anti-rollback strategies for OTA updates.