Linux Kernel Consultant

Job Summary

Ship kernel code that runs on millions of devices worldwide. You'll work directly on upstream Linux development for a flagship consumer product while contributing to the broader kernel community. This isn't just maintenance work, you'll be solving hard problems and your code goes upstream. This role suits an engineer who wants to go deep: you will have the space to develop genuine subsystem expertise, build your upstream profile and grow into technical leadership over time.

This role combines deep technical work with collaborative consulting. You will partner with client engineering teams to solve their toughest kernel challenges while championing upstream-first approaches.

Location: Fully remote (preference for EU or East Coast US hours)

Travel: Optional conference attendance

What you'll actually do

• Upstream First: Contribute directly to mainline Linux kernel development: schedulers, power management, device drivers and core subsystems
• Real-World Impact: Support and optimise Linux for extremely popular consumer devices used by millions of people
• Solve Hard Problems: Make Linux do things it cant currently do. Push the boundaries of what is possible to mould Linux to suit new use cases. Tackle device failures without the luxury of a stack trace, relying on experience and intuition. Just because Linux doesnt do it currently, doesnt mean we cant invent it.
• Community Collaboration: Work with upstream maintainers and represent Collabora at conferences
• Client Partnership: Translate customer needs into technical solutions while advocating for upstream-first approaches. Youll help clients understand why investing in upstream benefits their long-term goals
• Navigate Constraints: Balance technical excellence with real-world pressures: customer deadlines, hardware limitations, business priorities, while keeping code quality high
• Be a Technical Advisor: Explain complex kernel decisions to product teams, provide honest timelines and build trust through transparent communication

What we're looking for Required

• Product support experience, you are comfortable diagnosing and resolving issues reported by end-users which often require dedication to reproduce from vague bug reports and limited reproduction steps
• Solid Linux kernel development experience , you have spent meaningful time working in the kernel and are comfortable navigating unfamiliar subsystems independently. You do not need to have seen everything, but you should know how to find your way. We are looking for someone who is still building their reputation in the upstream community and wants a role that accelerates that.
• Strong English communication skills, both spoken and written for patch reviews, documentation and client discussions
• Self-directed work style - you thrive in a remote, asynchronous environment

Nice to have

• Upstream contribution history , we know not every employer makes this easy. If you havent had the opportunity yet, well help you build that profile as part of the role
• Consultancy or client-facing technical background, you know how to balance technical excellence with business constraints, explain kernel internals to product teams, manage expectations across multiple projects and advocate for upstream solutions while respecting customer timelines
• Experience with schedulers, power management, Bluetooth, WiFi or audio subsystems
• Familiarity with CI/CD for kernel testing (KernelCI, Jenkins, LAVA)
• Background in BSP development or board bring-up
• Distribution experience (Arch, Debian, Yocto, Buildroot)
• Rust programming skills

A day in the life

Morning (your timezone)

• Review overnight mailing-list discussions on your subsystem(s)
• Triage new customer issue reports
• Respond to client question about kernel panic theyre investigating
• Pair debug session with colleague on tricky scheduler behaviour

Midday

• Deep work: finish patch series for power management optimisation
• Quick video call with customer team to explain your proposed approach and timeline
• Review and test colleagues patch before they submit upstream

Afternoon

• Respond to upstream maintainer feedback on your RFC patch
• Update client on progress, discuss trade-offs between fast fix vs. upstream-ready solution

Disclaimer: This job posting & Location has been aggregated from external source. Role details, content, and availability are subject to change. Applicants are advised to confirm the latest information directly on the company website before applying.