Linux Software Engineer Jobs

Linux Software Engineer jobs are open across enterprise technology, cloud infrastructure, defense, and embedded systems, from new-grad to principal and staff levels, with specializations in kernel development, device drivers, and systems programming. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.

Find Linux Software Engineer JobsLooking for remote work? View remote linux software engineer jobs →

Overview

Open roles116+
Top stateCalifornia
Top employerAkina
Top citySanta Clara, CA
Work type56% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 116+ Linux Software Engineer jobs

Staff Software Engineer (Linux Kernel)
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Added 2d ago
Staff Software Engineer (Linux Kernel)
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Aliso Viejo, California
Backend Engineering
Full-stack Engineering
Software Engineering
$242k - $297k/yr
Remote (US)
Master's degree
1,001-5,000

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Staff Software Engineer, Linux Kernel
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Added 3d ago
Staff Software Engineer, Linux Kernel
Google
Sunnyvale, California
Software Engineering
Systems Administration
Technical Product & Program Management
Technical Program Management
$207k - $300k/yr
Doctoral degree in Computer Science
10,000+

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Embedded Linux Software Engineer
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Added 3d ago
Embedded Linux Software Engineer
Impulse Space
Redondo Beach, California
Backend Engineering
Full-stack Engineering
Software Engineering
$120k - $180k/yr
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

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Software Engineer 2 - (DevOps, Linux, Python)
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Added 4d ago
Software Engineer 2 - (DevOps, Linux, Python)
Akina, Inc.
Annapolis Junction, Maryland
Cloud Engineering
Customer Support
IT Support
$196k - $239k/yr
Master's degree

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Linux Kernel Developer
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Added 5d ago
Linux Kernel Developer
ThreatLocker
Orlando, Florida
Backend Engineering
Full-stack Engineering
Software Engineering

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Linux Software Engineer Job Market

Who's Hiring

  • Akina16
  • Arista Networks6
  • Tesla5
  • Qualcomm4
  • Collins Aerospace4

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software12
  • Electronics & Hardware2
  • Automotive1
  • Science & Research1
  • Telecommunications1

What Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in linux software engineer jobs.

  • Proficiency in C and C++ with direct experience writing or debugging Linux kernel code
  • Experience with embedded Linux platforms, device drivers, or board support package development
  • Familiarity with version control using Git, including patch-based workflows and code review
  • Understanding of operating system internals including scheduling, memory management, and file systems
  • Experience with debugging tools such as GDB, perf, strace, and kernel tracing frameworks
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field

Tips for Your Linux Software Engineer Job Search

Tailor your resume for kernel work

Hiring managers for linux software engineer roles scan for kernel version familiarity, patch submission history, and low-level debugging tools like GDB and perf. List the specific subsystems you've worked in, such as networking, storage, or memory management, rather than just writing 'Linux kernel development'.

Show your open-source contributions clearly

Employers weight upstream contributions heavily for linux software engineer candidates. Link directly to merged patches, mailing list threads, or repositories in your resume header. A single accepted kernel patch to a mainline subsystem carries more signal than a list of personal projects.

Apply early to roles that fit

Migrate Mate lists linux software engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match your specialization and apply directly to each listing.

Filter by stack depth, not just title

Linux software engineer postings vary widely, from pure userspace to bare-metal firmware. Read the job description for mentions of toolchains like Yocto or Buildroot, RTOS integration, or syscall-level work to confirm the role matches your depth before you spend time on a cover letter.

Prepare for live debugging interviews

Technical interviews for linux software engineer positions frequently include a live kernel trace or system call analysis exercise. Practice reproducing race conditions, interpreting strace output, and explaining memory map behavior out loud, since interviewers assess both your reasoning process and your command-line fluency.

Negotiate using scope, not just title

When you reach the offer stage, ask about the scope of kernel ownership, number of target architectures, and release cadence. These details signal actual seniority and workload, and they give you concrete grounds to discuss leveling if the initial offer doesn't reflect your depth of experience.

Linux Software Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies are hiring the most linux software engineers?

The companies hiring the most linux software engineers right now include Akina, Arista Networks, and Tesla, with the largest share of openings in California, Maryland, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is concentrated in sectors that rely on custom hardware integration and cloud infrastructure at scale.

How many linux software engineer jobs are remote?

About 44% of linux software engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though availability depends strongly on the specialization. Userspace and cloud-adjacent roles are more likely to support remote work, while positions involving hardware bring-up, lab access, or classified systems typically require on-site presence.

How do you become a linux software engineer?

Start by building a strong foundation in C programming and operating system concepts through coursework or self-study using open resources. Set up your own Linux development environment, compile a custom kernel, and write a basic loadable kernel module. Contributing patches to an open-source Linux project, even small bug fixes, demonstrates practical skill to employers. From there, target entry-level roles focused on embedded systems, device drivers, or platform tooling.

Can you get hired as a linux software engineer with little experience?

Yes, entry-level linux software engineer roles exist, particularly in embedded systems and platform tooling teams that expect to train new engineers on company-specific hardware. The strongest way to compensate for limited professional experience is a GitHub profile that shows real kernel or driver work, even if it is coursework-based. Referencing the O*NET occupation profile can also help you align your skills language with what employers actually list.

What does the linux software engineer interview process look like?

Most linux software engineer interviews begin with a recruiter screen focused on background and specialization, followed by a technical phone interview covering C programming, memory management, and OS fundamentals. On-site or virtual loops typically include a system design round, a live debugging exercise using tools like strace or gdb, and a code review or patch analysis session. Final rounds often involve a conversation with a senior engineer or engineering manager about architecture decisions.

Where can I find and apply to linux software engineer jobs?

You can find and apply to linux software engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search for roles that match your specialization, whether that is kernel development, embedded systems, or platform engineering, and apply directly to each listing that fits.

See All 116+ Linux Software Engineer Jobs

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

Find Linux Software Engineer Jobs