Linux Kernel Engineer

Intel Corporation • Santa Clara, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Linux Kernel Developer to join our system software engineering team. This role focuses on developing, maintaining, and optimizing Linux kernel components with an emphasis on x86 architectures, device drivers, and platform-level integration. The successful candidate will support early platform enablement across both presilicon and postsilicon environments, including FPGA-based validation platforms and production silicon. In this role, you will collaborate closely with Silicon Architects, SoC design teams, firmware engineers, and other software developers to enable operating system support for new hardware capabilities. The position requires strong Linux kernel expertise, deep understanding of hardware-software interfaces, and the ability to debug complex system-level issues during early platform bring-up. Contributions to upstream Linux kernel subsystems and participation in open-source development are highly valued.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field with 6+ years of relevant experience, OR
• Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field with 4+ years of relevant experience.
• Strong experience in Linux kernel development with emphasis on x86 platform architecture.
• Hands-on experience developing and debugging Linux kernel drivers and kernel subsystems.
• Experience working with one or more Linux kernel subsystems such as:
• Device drivers and platform drivers
• Memory management
• Power management and ACPI
• Scheduler or interrupt handling
• Virtualization or I/O subsystems
• Experience working in presilicon environments including:
• FPGA setup, configuration, and usage for early hardware validation.
• Driver development and validation on FPGA platforms.
• Hardware/software co-validation using simulation or emulation environments.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency with Git-based development workflows.
• Experience submitting or maintaining upstream Linux kernel patches.
• Familiarity with Linux kernel build systems and configuration management.
• Strong debugging skills using kernel-level diagnostic tools.
• Experience with system performance analysis, power optimization, and memory management.
• Demonstrated upstream contributions to Linux kernel subsystems.
• Experience participating in Linux kernel community discussions or open-source development processes.
• Experience submitting patches, reviewing discussions, or engaging with the Linux Kernel Mailing List (LKML) or subsystem maintainers is highly valued.
• Familiarity with Intel platform technologies and architectural features such as VT-x, VT-d virtualization, and platform power management frameworks.
• Knowledge of kernel security frameworks and kernel hardening techniques.
• Familiarity with containerization or virtualization technologies.
• Experience supporting hardware bring-up across multiple silicon generations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain Linux kernel modules and device drivers for x86-based platforms.
• Support platform bring-up activities and early boot enablement in both presilicon (FPGA/emulation) and postsilicon environments.
• Work with FPGA platforms and simulation environments for early hardware validation and driver development.
• Collaborate with SoC design, firmware, and platform teams to define OS and kernel requirements for new hardware features.
• Develop and enhance kernel subsystems related to device drivers, memory management, power management, scheduling, and platform interfaces.
• Implement and debug kernel functionality including ACPI integration and hardware interface protocols.
• Diagnose and resolve kernel-level issues during system boot, device initialization, and runtime operation.
• Backport patches, apply security updates, and maintain stable kernel branches as part of platform productization.
• Contribute patches and enhancements to upstream Linux kernel subsystems when applicable.
• Optimize system performance through power/performance tuning, memory management improvements, and system-level profiling.
• Maintain kernel configuration, build environments, and development workflows using Git-based version control systems.
• Work with cross-functional engineering team

Benefits

• We offer a total compensation package that ranks among the best in the industry. It consists of competitive pay, stock bonuses, and benefit programs which include health, retirement, and vacation.
• Find out more about the benefits of working at Intel.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees