Linux Engineer Jobs in California

Linux Engineer jobs in California are among the most actively recruited technical roles in the country, concentrated in cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, enterprise systems, and semiconductor manufacturing across every seniority level from junior administrator to principal engineer. The heaviest hiring is in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where companies like Google, Cisco, and Qualcomm maintain large engineering operations that rely on Linux-based infrastructure. The most in-demand specialties are kernel development, DevOps automation, and site reliability engineering. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles25+
Top employerQualcomm
Top citySanta Clara, CA
Cities hiring12
Work type84% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 25+ Linux Engineer jobs

Verkada
Senior Embedded Linux Engineer
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Verkada
Added 3w ago
Senior Embedded Linux Engineer
Verkada
San Mateo, California
Software Engineering
Embedded Systems Engineering
Firmware Engineering
$180k - $300k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Aurora
Staff Embedded Linux Engineer
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Aurora
Added 4mo ago
Staff Embedded Linux Engineer
Aurora
Mountain View, California
Software Engineering
Embedded Systems Engineering
Firmware Engineering
$303k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's

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Aurora
Staff Embedded Linux Engineer
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Aurora
Added 5mo ago
Staff Embedded Linux Engineer
Aurora
Mountain View, California
Software Engineering
Embedded Systems Engineering
Firmware Engineering
$189k - $303k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's

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Perficient
Senior Linux Platform Engineer
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Perficient
Added 1w ago
Senior Linux Platform Engineer
Perficient
Santa Clara, California
Software Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
Hybrid
None
5,001-10,000

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Intuitive (Intuitive Surgical)
Senior Linux Platform Engineer
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Intuitive (Intuitive Surgical)
Added 2w ago
Senior Linux Platform Engineer
Intuitive (Intuitive Surgical)
Sunnyvale, California
Software Engineering
Cybersecurity
Embedded Systems Engineering
$160k - $271k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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See All 25 Linux Engineer Jobs in California

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Linux Engineer Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Santa Clara
8 jobs
Fremont
3 jobs
Irvine
2 jobs
Mountain View
2 jobs
San Diego
2 jobs
San Mateo
2 jobs
Burlingame
1 jobs
Palo Alto
1 jobs
Pomona
1 jobs

Linux Engineer Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Qualcomm
    Qualcomm4
  • Ultima Genomics
    Ultima Genomics3
  • Arista Networks
    Arista Networks2
  • Aurora
    Aurora2
  • Verkada
    Verkada2

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software16
  • Automotive3
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals3
  • Electronics & Hardware3
  • Telecommunications3

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in linux engineer jobs across California.

  • Proficiency in major Linux distributions such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Ubuntu, or CentOS
  • Experience designing and managing cloud infrastructure on AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure
  • Strong scripting skills in Python, Bash, or Ruby for automation and system administration
  • Hands-on experience with containerization tools including Docker, Kubernetes, or OpenShift
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a closely related field
  • Familiarity with configuration management tools such as Ansible, Puppet, or Chef

Linux Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a linux engineer in California?

Linux engineering has no state-issued license in California, so the path runs through education and vendor certifications. Most California employers expect at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or information systems, combined with credentials such as Red Hat Certified Engineer or CompTIA Linux+. Building hands-on lab experience through personal projects or open-source contributions strengthens an application significantly, and California's large community college system offers IT programs that prepare candidates for entry-level roles.

How much do linux engineers make in California?

Linux engineers in California earn a median of about $134,440 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $58,340 for the lowest 10% to over $222,690 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire linux engineers in California?

Employers hiring linux engineers in California right now include Qualcomm, Ultima Genomics, and Arista Networks, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's density of technology headquarters, defense contractors, and cloud service providers means linux engineering roles appear across industries well beyond software, including aerospace, biotech, and financial services.

Which California cities have the most linux engineer jobs?

Santa Clara, Fremont, and Irvine have the most linux engineer openings in California. The Bay Area leads because it hosts the global headquarters of major cloud and infrastructure companies, while Los Angeles draws volume from entertainment technology, aerospace primes, and a growing startup ecosystem, and San Diego's concentration of defense contractors and biotech firms drives consistent demand for enterprise Linux skills.

Are there remote linux engineer jobs in California?

Yes, and more than most fields. About 16% of linux engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how much of the work involves managing servers and cloud environments rather than on-site hardware. Roles focused on cloud operations, DevOps pipelines, and site reliability engineering tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while positions requiring hands-on data-center work remain largely on-site.

How can I get hired as a linux engineer in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is an IT support or systems administrator role that runs on Linux, which large California employers use as a feeder position for engineering tracks. Companies like Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and major Bay Area tech firms run internship and rotational programs for candidates without full professional experience. Earning a Red Hat Certified System Administrator credential or completing an associate-level Linux program at a California community college gives a candidate a measurable edge when applying to those entry roles.

Where can I find and apply to linux engineer jobs in California?

You can find and apply to linux engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find the roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to each one.

See All 25 Linux Engineer Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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