Linux Engineer Jobs in Washington
Linux Engineer jobs in Washington are among the most active in the country, concentrated in cloud infrastructure, enterprise systems, and defense technology with demand at every level from junior sysadmin to principal engineer. The heaviest hiring is in Seattle, Bellevue, and Redmond, where anchor employers like Microsoft, Amazon, and Boeing maintain large infrastructure teams. Kernel development, containerization with tools like Kubernetes and Docker, and hardened government systems are the most in-demand specialties. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Welcome to the intersection of energy and home services. At NRG, we’re driven by our passion to create a smarter, cleaner and more connected future.
Vivint Smart Home, an NRG owned company, is a leading smart home company in the United States, dedicated to redefining the home experience with intelligent products and services. We find purpose in proactively protecting and keeping our customers connected to home, no matter where they are. Join the Smart Home team to create smarter, safer and more sustainable homes.
Who Are We:
Vivint Smart Home is the leading provider of smart home services in North America. Vivint delivers an integrated smart home system with in-home consultation, professional installation and support delivered by its Smart Home Pros, as well as 24-7 customer care and monitoring.
Dedicated to redefining the home experience with intelligent products and services, Vivint serves more than two million customers throughout the U.S.
Job Functions:
Position requires in-office presence in Seattle, WA on a hybrid schedule for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with a work from home day on Friday. The position will start remote and then will move into the hybrid schedule.
Job Requirements
Required Technical Skills & Experience
Experience: Minimum of 5 years of professional software development experience.
Education: BS in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related technical field.
Core Languages: Strong proficiency in C and modern C++.
Embedded Linux: Deep understanding of the embedded Linux ecosystem (kernel, device drivers, and the boot chain: bootloader, device tree, init).
Build Systems: Hands-on experience building and customizing Linux distributions using Yocto, Buildroot, or similar.
Hardware Debugging: Proven track record with board bring-up and debugging at the hardware/software boundary (reading schematics/datasheets; utilizing JTAG, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes).
BSP Integration: Experience evaluating and integrating vendor- or partner-delivered BSPs and drivers.
Additional Languages: Experience with Python or Rust.
IoT Protocols: Solid understanding of common web/IoT protocols (HTTP, MQTT, JSON, Protobufs).
Development Environment: Proficiency with compiling, cross-compiling, unit testing, and debugging within Linux environments.
Highly Desirable Skills (Nice-to-Have)
Direct experience collaborating with JDM/ODM or contract manufacturing partners on hardware/software co-development.
Familiarity with wireless communication protocols (Wi-Fi, BLE, Zigbee, Z-Wave).
Experience with SoC platforms from vendors like NXP, Rockchip, Qualcomm, etc.
Understanding of embedded security fundamentals (secure boot, OTA updates, and device provisioning).
Experience leveraging generative AI developer tools (e.g., Claude Code, GitHub Copilot) to design, build, debug, and review production software.
The base salary range for this position is: $160,700 to $206,600*. *The base salary range above represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of the total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonus, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. In addition the position may be eligible to participate in the benefits program which include, but are not limited to, medical, vision, dental, 401K, and flexible spending accounts.
NRG Energy is committed to a drug and alcohol-free workplace. To the extent permitted by law and any applicable collective bargaining agreement, employees are subject to periodic random drug testing, and post-accident and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing. EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability. Level, Title and/or Salary may be adjusted based on the applicant's experience or skills.
Official description on file with Talent.
See All 8 Linux Engineer Jobs in Washington
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Find Linux Engineer JobsLinux Engineer Jobs by City in Washington
Where Washington roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Linux Engineer Job Market in Washington
A snapshot from current Washington openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring


Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
What Washington Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in linux engineer jobs across Washington.
- Proficiency administering RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu, or Debian in production environments
- Experience with configuration management tools such as Ansible, Puppet, or Chef
- Strong knowledge of shell scripting, Python, or Perl for automation and system tasks
- Hands-on experience with containerization platforms including Docker and Kubernetes
- Familiarity with networking fundamentals including TCP/IP, DNS, firewalls, and VPNs
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field preferred
Linux Engineer Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a linux engineer in Washington?
Washington does not require a state-issued license to work as a linux engineer. Most employers here look for a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, combined with hands-on Linux administration experience. Industry certifications such as Red Hat Certified Engineer or Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator carry significant weight with Washington hiring managers, particularly at the large technology firms and defense contractors concentrated in the Puget Sound region.
How much do linux engineers make in Washington?
Linux engineers in Washington earn a median of about $128,940 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $60,210 for the lowest 10% to over $200,610 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire linux engineers in Washington?
Employers hiring linux engineers in Washington right now include GEICO, Vivint, and SpaceXSI, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Washington's concentration of major cloud providers, aerospace firms, and federal contracting agencies means openings appear consistently year-round across a wide range of industries and team sizes.
Which Washington cities have the most linux engineer jobs?
Seattle, Bellevue, and Washington have the most linux engineer openings in Washington. Seattle drives the largest share because of its dense concentration of technology companies and cloud infrastructure operations, while Bellevue and Redmond benefit from major corporate campuses that maintain substantial on-site infrastructure teams, making the greater Eastside corridor one of the most active areas for this role in the state.
Are there remote linux engineer jobs in Washington?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 67% of linux engineer openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how much of the work involves managing systems through terminals and automation pipelines rather than physical hardware. Cloud infrastructure and DevOps-leaning roles tend to be the most remote-friendly, while positions requiring data center access or classified network work are typically on-site.
How can I get hired as a linux engineer in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is landing a systems or IT support role at one of Washington's large technology employers and building toward a linux engineer title from there. Companies like Microsoft and Amazon run associate infrastructure and cloud support programs that accept candidates without deep linux backgrounds. Earning a Red Hat Certified System Administrator credential or completing the Linux Foundation's training curriculum before applying gives candidates a measurable edge, and roles titled junior systems administrator or cloud support associate are the most common stepping stones into dedicated linux engineering positions in Washington.
Where can I find and apply to linux engineer jobs in Washington?
You can find and apply to linux engineer jobs in Washington on Migrate Mate, which lists current Washington openings across industries and experience levels. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 8 Linux Engineer Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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