Linux Kernel & Virtualization Engineer - CA, Santa Clara, United States
Embedded & Systems Software
Originally posted 17 September 2026 by the employer.
About the role
This role focuses on enabling Linux distributions on AMD EPYC CPUs and Instinct GPUs.
What you'll do
- Work with OS partners to enable Linux distros on AMD EPYC CPUs and Instinct GPUs.
- Collaborate with AMD engineering teams to resolve functional and performance issues involving AMD CPUs/GPUs and Linux distros.
- Work hands-on in a multi-machine lab environment to deploy software, reproduce issues, execute validation plans, and analyze results.
- Drive root-cause investigations across interconnected systems and coordinate resolution of complex technical issues.
- Analyze incomplete or ambiguous information and make data-driven recommendations.
What you'll need
- Linux kernel and virtualization (KVM) debugging skills.
- Basic programming skills in Python, C, or C++.
- Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Computer or Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
Nice to have
- Exposure to server systems architecture.
- Linux feature backporting and upstreaming experience.
- Experience running and analyzing server system benchmarks.
- Understanding of server platform architecture and the interaction between hardware, firmware, operating systems, virtualization, and application software.
Market context
This role has been open 25 days — well below the 61-day median for Systems Software Engineering roles.
Systems Software Engineering · Systems Software
|
Open roles in category
677
|
Median days open
61 d
|
Median salary
$217k
|
See the full market breakdown ▾Category comparison, and who else is hiring
| Metric | AMD | All employers we track in this specialty (677 roles · 73 employers) |
|---|---|---|
| Open roles in this specialty | 60 | 677 |
| Open roles in the wider Software, Firmware & Systems family | 406 | 6116 · 146 employers |
| Median days open | 51 d | 61 d (−10 d vs this employer) |
| Median salary (USD postings) | — | $217k |
Who's hiring in this category
- Qualcomm · 164 open roles · median 76 d
- NVIDIA · 134 open roles · median 48 d
- AMD (this employer) · 59 open roles · median 53 d
- Mobileye · 26 open roles · median 72 d
- Arm Holdings · 20 open roles · median 110 d
- Broadcom · 20 open roles · median 49 d
How we counted: 677 open Systems Software Engineering (Systems Software) roles from 73 employers tracked in the SemiconductorJobs index, counted 13 Oct 2026. Specialty figures count only roles carrying this exact specialty label, so an employer's related work in neighbouring specialties is not included there — it is counted in the wider Software, Firmware & Systems family row. Figures refresh nightly.