Linux Software Engineer Jobs for OPT Students
Linux Software Engineer jobs are among the more OPT-friendly roles in tech because the skill set is concrete and verifiable. Employers regularly sponsor STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to three years of work authorization. Strong kernel, shell scripting, and systems programming experience carries significant weight in the hiring process.
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Get Access To All JobsWho We Are
Verkada is transforming how organizations protect their people and places with an integrated, AI-powered platform. A leader in cloud physical security, Verkada helps organizations strengthen safety and efficiency through one connected software platform that includes solutions for video security, access control, air quality sensors, alarms, intercoms, and visitor management. Over 30,000 organizations worldwide, including more than 100+ companies in the Fortune 500, trust Verkada as their physical security layer for easier management, intelligent control, and scalable deployments. Founded in 2016, Verkada has expanded rapidly with 15 offices and 2,200+ full-time employees.
About The Role
Join a dynamic, rapidly growing team of under ten highly experienced server, firmware, and mobile engineers dedicated to launching an exciting, unannounced product line. While we operate at a fast pace as we build out this new product, we maintain a strong commitment to solid engineering practices. Our mission extends beyond just launching the product—we are focused on building a reliable, scalable, and technically sound foundation for its future.
This is a high-impact, multi-faceted role where your primary focus will be on embedded Linux development. You will be instrumental in launching a brand-new product line and setting its technical direction.
Key Responsibilities Include
- Linux System Bring-up: Deep-diving into the Linux environment, including the Linux kernel, device trees, and userspace applications, with a strong emphasis on the Yocto Project.
- Product Launch and Development: Acting as a core contributor, you will take ownership of tasks across the stack to ensure the product line's success.
- Collaboration: Working closely with hardware engineers, other software engineers, and product managers throughout the development lifecycle.
- Team Growth: Helping to scale the team in terms of features, personnel, and customer base, participating in the next chapter of our fast-growing company's story.
What You Bring
- A BS or graduate degree in a technical field (Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or Science).
- 3+ years of professional experience as a software engineer focused on Linux development.
- Expertise in C and bash.
- Strong technical mastery of the Linux operating system.
- Proven experience bringing up at least one embedded Linux device.
- Proficiency with both the Yocto Project and Linux device trees.
- Experience writing and debugging Linux kernel modules.
US Employee Benefits
Verkada is committed to fostering a workplace environment that prioritizes the holistic health and wellbeing of our employees and their families by offering comprehensive wellness perks, benefits, and resources. Our benefits and perks programs include, but are not limited to:
- Healthcare programs that can be tailored to meet the personal health and financial well-being needs - Premiums are 100% covered for the employee under at least one plan and 80% for family premiums under all plans
- Nationwide medical, vision and dental coverage
- Health Saving Account (HSA) with annual employer contributions and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) with tax saving options
- Expanded mental health support
- Paid parental leave policy & fertility benefits
- Time off to relax and recharge through our paid holidays, firmwide extended holidays, flexible PTO and personal sick time
- Professional development stipend
- Fertility Stipend
- Wellness/fitness benefits
- Healthy lunches provided daily
- Commuter benefits
Additional Information
- We do sponsor and take over sponsorship of employment visas for this role. If we make you an offer, we will make every reasonable effort to get you a visa.
Annual Pay Range
At Verkada, we want to attract and retain the best employees, and compensate them in a way that appropriately and fairly values their individual contribution to the company. With that in mind, we carefully consider a number of factors to determine the appropriate starting pay for an employee, including their primary work location and an assessment of a candidate's skills and experience, as well as market demands and internal parity. A Verkada employee may be eligible for additional forms of compensation, depending on their role, including sales incentives, discretionary bonuses, and/or equity in the company in the form of restricted stock units (RSUs). Below is the annual on-target earnings (OTE) range for full-time employees for this position, comprised of base compensation and commissions (if applicable). Estimated Annual Pay Range $150,000—$300,000 USD
Verkada Is An Equal Opportunity Employer
As an equal opportunity employer, Verkada is committed to providing employment opportunities to all individuals. All applicants for positions at Verkada will be treated without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
Your application will be handled in accordance with our Candidate Privacy Policy.
Who We Are
Verkada is transforming how organizations protect their people and places with an integrated, AI-powered platform. A leader in cloud physical security, Verkada helps organizations strengthen safety and efficiency through one connected software platform that includes solutions for video security, access control, air quality sensors, alarms, intercoms, and visitor management. Over 30,000 organizations worldwide, including more than 100+ companies in the Fortune 500, trust Verkada as their physical security layer for easier management, intelligent control, and scalable deployments. Founded in 2016, Verkada has expanded rapidly with 15 offices and 2,200+ full-time employees.
About The Role
Join a dynamic, rapidly growing team of under ten highly experienced server, firmware, and mobile engineers dedicated to launching an exciting, unannounced product line. While we operate at a fast pace as we build out this new product, we maintain a strong commitment to solid engineering practices. Our mission extends beyond just launching the product—we are focused on building a reliable, scalable, and technically sound foundation for its future.
This is a high-impact, multi-faceted role where your primary focus will be on embedded Linux development. You will be instrumental in launching a brand-new product line and setting its technical direction.
Key Responsibilities Include
- Linux System Bring-up: Deep-diving into the Linux environment, including the Linux kernel, device trees, and userspace applications, with a strong emphasis on the Yocto Project.
- Product Launch and Development: Acting as a core contributor, you will take ownership of tasks across the stack to ensure the product line's success.
- Collaboration: Working closely with hardware engineers, other software engineers, and product managers throughout the development lifecycle.
- Team Growth: Helping to scale the team in terms of features, personnel, and customer base, participating in the next chapter of our fast-growing company's story.
What You Bring
- A BS or graduate degree in a technical field (Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or Science).
- 3+ years of professional experience as a software engineer focused on Linux development.
- Expertise in C and bash.
- Strong technical mastery of the Linux operating system.
- Proven experience bringing up at least one embedded Linux device.
- Proficiency with both the Yocto Project and Linux device trees.
- Experience writing and debugging Linux kernel modules.
US Employee Benefits
Verkada is committed to fostering a workplace environment that prioritizes the holistic health and wellbeing of our employees and their families by offering comprehensive wellness perks, benefits, and resources. Our benefits and perks programs include, but are not limited to:
- Healthcare programs that can be tailored to meet the personal health and financial well-being needs - Premiums are 100% covered for the employee under at least one plan and 80% for family premiums under all plans
- Nationwide medical, vision and dental coverage
- Health Saving Account (HSA) with annual employer contributions and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) with tax saving options
- Expanded mental health support
- Paid parental leave policy & fertility benefits
- Time off to relax and recharge through our paid holidays, firmwide extended holidays, flexible PTO and personal sick time
- Professional development stipend
- Fertility Stipend
- Wellness/fitness benefits
- Healthy lunches provided daily
- Commuter benefits
Additional Information
- We do sponsor and take over sponsorship of employment visas for this role. If we make you an offer, we will make every reasonable effort to get you a visa.
Annual Pay Range
At Verkada, we want to attract and retain the best employees, and compensate them in a way that appropriately and fairly values their individual contribution to the company. With that in mind, we carefully consider a number of factors to determine the appropriate starting pay for an employee, including their primary work location and an assessment of a candidate's skills and experience, as well as market demands and internal parity. A Verkada employee may be eligible for additional forms of compensation, depending on their role, including sales incentives, discretionary bonuses, and/or equity in the company in the form of restricted stock units (RSUs). Below is the annual on-target earnings (OTE) range for full-time employees for this position, comprised of base compensation and commissions (if applicable). Estimated Annual Pay Range $150,000—$300,000 USD
Verkada Is An Equal Opportunity Employer
As an equal opportunity employer, Verkada is committed to providing employment opportunities to all individuals. All applicants for positions at Verkada will be treated without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
Your application will be handled in accordance with our Candidate Privacy Policy.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Linux Software Engineer
Target companies with existing Linux infrastructure
Companies running large-scale Linux environments, such as cloud providers, financial institutions, and defense contractors, hire Linux engineers regularly and are far more likely to have established OPT and H-1B sponsorship pipelines already in place.
Emphasize your STEM OPT eligibility upfront
Many hiring managers don't realize STEM OPT gives you 36 months of work authorization. Mentioning this early in outreach removes a common objection before it forms and signals that you understand your own status clearly.
Demonstrate kernel and systems depth, not just scripting
Surface-level Linux knowledge is common. Employers sponsoring OPT want engineers who understand kernel internals, device drivers, or low-level performance tuning. Depth in these areas justifies the sponsorship investment from a hiring manager's perspective.
Get relevant certifications before applying
Credentials like the RHCSA or LFCS signal verified Linux competency to employers unfamiliar with your university program. Certified candidates face less scrutiny in the screening process, which matters when OPT sponsorship is already a variable.
Prepare a clear, one-sentence OPT status summary
When asked about work authorization, lead with something precise: your OPT end date, your STEM extension eligibility, and your degree field. Vague answers slow down recruiter decisions, while a clear summary makes it easy to move you forward.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Linux Software Engineers in the United States?
Yes. Linux Software Engineer roles fall comfortably within STEM-designated degree fields like computer science, electrical engineering, and computer engineering. If your degree is STEM-classified, you qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension on top of your initial 12 months, giving you up to 36 months of authorized work in a directly related role.
What types of employers hire Linux Software Engineers on OPT sponsorship?
Cloud infrastructure providers, semiconductor companies, defense and aerospace contractors, financial technology firms, and enterprise software companies are the most consistent sponsors for this role. These employers run large Linux-based systems and need engineers with genuine depth. You can browse verified OPT-sponsoring employers hiring for this role on Migrate Mate, which filters specifically for companies open to F-1 candidates.
Does a Linux Software Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It does, provided your underlying degree is in a STEM-designated field. Computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, and information systems all qualify. The role itself must also be directly related to your field of study. Linux Software Engineering maps cleanly to most STEM degree programs, so the extension is rarely the obstacle if your degree qualifies.
What skills make OPT candidates more competitive for Linux Software Engineer roles?
Employers paying close attention to OPT timelines want candidates who can contribute quickly. Strong experience with kernel development, system call interfaces, networking stack internals, shell scripting, and containerization with tools like Docker or Kubernetes stands out. Open-source contributions to Linux-adjacent projects are particularly valuable because they provide public, verifiable evidence of your depth and initiative.
How early should I start applying for Linux Software Engineer jobs before my OPT begins?
You can apply for positions up to 90 days before your OPT start date, and most employers with structured sponsorship pipelines appreciate early outreach. For Linux roles specifically, technical screening rounds take time, so starting the application process two to three months ahead is practical. Factor in that your employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify to work with STEM OPT candidates.
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