Senior Kernel Developer

Introduction

At IBM's Linux Technology Centre, we work to make Linux better—our core value. We generate innovative ideas and shape forward-thinking discussions within the Linux community, striving to become trusted and valuable contributors. In doing so, we support IBM Power hardware, related software, and services brands that are used by Enterprise clients to run mission critical workloads on Linux.

This role places you across all stages of software development and enables you to work with a highly skilled, technically accomplished team focused on open source development.

Your Role And Responsibilities

As a lead Linux Kernel Engineer, you will lead the architecture, design, development, and optimization of critical Linux kernel components, including Memory Management, CPU Scheduler, RAS, I/O, Virtualization (KVM), and Bootloader technologies. You will provide technical leadership for enterprise Linux initiatives on IBM Power systems, delivering industry-leading performance, scalability, reliability, and maintainability for strategic workloads.

You will partner with open-source communities, lead upstreaming of new features and enhancements, mentor engineers, and help set the technical direction for kernel technologies across the Linux on Power ecosystem.

Required Technical And Professional Expertise

• 12years -18years of experience in Linux internals, operating systems, and Linux kernel development. Strong experience in kernel programming, kernel debugging, performance analysis, and root cause identification.
• Hands-on expertise in Linux kernel subsystems such as Memory Management, Filesystems, Virtualization (KVM), Device Drivers, Interrupt Handling, IOMMU/VFIO, Networking, or related areas.
• Working knowledge of computer system architecture, including CPU, memory, I/O subsystems, and virtualization technologies.
• Strong operating systems fundamentals with deep understanding of process management, scheduling, synchronization, memory management, and storage stacks.
• Strong programming skills in C, C++, Python, and shell scripting with experience developing and debugging low-level system software.
• Experience working with open-source software, contributing to upstream Linux kernel communities, reviewing patches, and maintaining kernel code.
• Hands-on experience with kernel tracing and debugging tools such as GDB, crash, ftrace, perf, eBPF, SystemTap, or kgdb.
• Experience in kernel performance tuning, problem determination, and resolution of complex system-level issues.
• Proven problem-solving, design, collaboration, and communication skills with the ability to drive technical discussions across teams.
  
  

Preferred Technical And Professional Experience

• Experience with Linux upstream community and LKML participation Ability to develop, submit, and maintain kernel patches Strong code review skills ensuring quality and standards compliance Proficiency with tools like git and checkpatch Effective collaboration with maintainers and community to drive upstream contribution