ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Windows Kernel Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Qualcomm

#Software Engineer - Kernel Services

San Diego, CA · On-site

$94K - $141K/yr

... engineer with 0 to 3 years of experience for the Core Platform Kernel Services Software team. The ... Windows, Linux, QNX, FreeRTOS, Zephyr among others. The multiple number of drivers and Services ...

Qualcomm

#Embedded Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$139K - $183K/yr

The Core Platform Kernel Services software team develops and deploys drivers and Kernel Services ... Experience with Windows OS, Visual Studio/LLVM compiler and Windows Performance Analyzer (WPA ...

E2B

Forward Deployed Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K - $220K/yr

You don't need to be a kernel developer, but you need to be able to reason about what's happening ... Windows and Mac), endpoint security agents that break things, IT approval workflows, and the ...

Zealogics.com

HPC engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

HPC Rack, Build, cable, configure, and provision Linux kernel, windows server. * HPC Operating ... Programming language: Python, Shell * Virtualization and containerization * Computer network

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsWindows Kernel Developer JobsWindows Kernel Developer Jobs in California

Windows Kernel Developer information

See California salary details

$59.7K

$133.2K

$220.6K

How much do windows kernel developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for windows kernel developer in California is $133,202.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $108,600.00 and $157,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Windows Kernel Developer job?

A Windows Kernel Developer is responsible for designing, developing, and debugging software that interacts with the Windows operating system at the kernel level. This includes creating drivers, improving system performance, and ensuring security. They work with low-level programming languages like C and C++ and require a deep understanding of Windows internals, memory management, and concurrency. Their role is critical in industries such as cybersecurity, device driver development, and enterprise software solutions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Windows Kernel Developer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Windows Kernel Developer, you need strong programming skills in C/C++, deep knowledge of operating system concepts, and experience with kernel-mode debugging and Windows internals, typically supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Proficiency with tools like WinDbg, Visual Studio, and the Windows Driver Kit (WDK), as well as certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Windows Operating System Fundamentals, is valuable. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential soft skills, enabling you to solve complex technical challenges and collaborate with cross-functional teams. These capabilities are crucial for designing robust, secure, and high-performance system software that operates at the core of Windows environments.

What are some typical challenges a Windows Kernel Developer can expect to face on the job?

As a Windows Kernel Developer, you will often encounter complex debugging scenarios, where identifying and addressing low-level issues such as memory corruption, race conditions, or system crashes can be challenging. Working closely with hardware teams, application developers, and QA engineers, you'll need to interpret intricate technical details and integrate kernel changes without disrupting system stability. The environment may require handling urgent production issues and keeping up with Microsoft's evolving kernel architecture and security models. However, these challenges offer valuable opportunities to deepen your expertise and have a direct impact on system reliability and performance.

What are the most commonly searched types of Windows Kernel Developer jobs in California? The most popular types of Windows Kernel Developer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Windows Kernel Developer jobs in California? For Windows Kernel Developer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Windows Kernel Developer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Windows Kernel Developer jobs in California are:
Windows Kernel Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Windows Kernel Developer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Temporary. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,202 per year, or $64 per hour.
Senior Systems Software Engineer, Windows and Linux Enablement - DGX Station

Senior Systems Software Engineer, Windows and Linux Enablement - DGX Station

NVIDIA

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Job Summary:
NVIDIA is a leading technology company known for pioneering visual computing and AI technologies. They are seeking a Senior Systems Software Engineer to take ownership of full-stack OS enablement for their DGX Station, focusing on both Windows and Linux platforms to ensure seamless functionality for AI applications.
Responsibilities:
• Own end-to-end Windows enablement for DGX Station—driving the platform from initial bring-up on Windows through WHQL certification to customer-ready shipping quality.
• Drive Linux bring-up and continuous enablement for DGX Station on DGX OS / Ubuntu, including kernel module integration, device tree and ACPI configuration, systemd services, initramfs, and dkms packaging.
• Enable and validate BIOS/UEFI, BMC, and system-level firmware for Windows and Linux on the Grace (Arm) + Blackwell GB300 architecture.
• Coordinate GPU driver, display driver, and compute driver bring-up and validation on Windows (WDDM, MCDM) and Linux (open-gpu-kernel-modules, DRM/KMS).
• Ensure the CUDA toolkit, cuDNN, TensorRT, NCCL, and NVIDIA’s AI SDK stack are fully functional on DGX Station on both Windows and Linux.
• Validate that NVIDIA AI applications—NIM microservices, NemoClaw, AI Workbench, and developer tools—run correctly on DGX Station across Windows and Linux.
• Drive the overall test strategy for DGX Station on Windows and Linux: functional testing, stress testing, power/thermal validation, sleep/resume and S-state cycles, Windows Update and Linux kernel-upgrade compatibility, and long-duration reliability.
• Be the primary technical interface with Microsoft (Windows on Arm, WHQL, driver signing) and ODM/OEM partners shipping DGX Station.
• Profile and optimize system performance—boot time, GPU compute throughput, NVLink-C2C and memory bandwidth utilization, power efficiency, and thermal behavior.
• Create and maintain platform documentation for DGX Station on Windows and Linux: bring-up guides, known issues, driver compatibility matrices, recovery and re-imaging procedures, and developer setup instructions.
Qualifications:
Required:
• BS or MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience) and 12+ yrs of confirmed experience in systems software engineering with deep expertise in Windows platform enablement, driver development, or OS integration, and proven hands-on experience bringing up Linux on new hardware platforms.
• Strong hands-on experience with Windows internals: kernel-mode drivers, ACPI, power management, Secure Boot, UEFI, WDM/WDF driver frameworks, and the WHQL certification process.
• Solid understanding of Linux platform enablement: kernel modules, device tree / ACPI on Arm, systemd, initramfs, dkms, and packaging for Ubuntu / DGX OS.
• Experience with GPU driver stack, display drivers, or compute drivers on Windows and/or Linux. Familiarity with DirectX, WDDM, DRM/KMS, and GPU compute APIs is a strong plus.
• Experience enabling hardware platforms—bring-up, driver integration, validation, and certification for shipping products on Windows and Linux.
• Strong debugging and root-cause analysis skills across firmware, driver, and OS boundaries. Comfortable with WinDbg, kernel debugging (kd, kgdb/crash), crash dump analysis, ftrace/ETW, and performance profiling tools.
• Ability to work across organizational boundaries—coordinating with GPU driver, CUDA, firmware, BMC, and AI software teams as well as external partners (Microsoft, ODM/OEMs).
• Proficiency in C/C++ and Python. Experience with Arm architecture is a plus.
Preferred:
• Experience with Windows on Arm platforms—driver enablement, performance optimization, or application compatibility on Arm-based Windows devices.
• Hands-on experience with CUDA, TensorRT, or AI/ML frameworks on Windows and Linux—especially on Arm + NVIDIA GPU systems.
• Prior experience working with OEM/ODM partners or silicon vendors on Windows and Linux platform certification for workstation- or server-class hardware.
• Track record shipping workstation or server hardware products—from bring-up through general availability—with both Windows and Linux support.
• Experience with BMC, Redfish, out-of-band management, or platform manageability software on high-end workstations or servers.
• Experience with GPU-accelerated applications: AI training and inference, content creation tools, or scientific computing on Windows and Linux.
Company:
NVIDIA is a computing platform company operating at the intersection of graphics, HPC, and AI. Founded in 1993, the company is headquartered in Santa Clara, USA, with a team of 10001+ employees. The company is currently Late Stage.
Nvidia logo

About Nvidia

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It's a unique legacy of innovation that's fueled by great technology--and amazing people. Today, we're tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what's never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world's best talent.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US

Year founded

1993

View All Nvidia Jobs

Apply