Principal Software Engineer, Linux Kernel Storage
$151,510–$249,950 year
Remote · Boston, Massachusetts, United States or Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Job Summary
Principal Software Engineer, Linux Kernel Storage role focusing on maintenance of the Linux kernel block layer and integration with storage drivers and file systems. Responsibilities include managing high-volume backporting for RHEL releases, implementing features that deliver direct customer value, driving development of emerging block technologies, solving complex kernel performance issues, and maintaining upstream CI tests and automated pipelines. Requires strong Linux kernel skills, authoritative knowledge of the block layer, SCSI, NVMe, memory management, extensive C experience, and a track record of upstream contributions; expected to engage with the upstream community and industry forums to influence open-source storage developments.
Required Qualifications
- 7+ years of Linux kernel development and maintenance
- Authoritative knowledge of Linux block layer, SCSI, NVMe, and memory management
- Upstream kernel contributions and patch review authority
- Expert proficiency in C
- Experience presenting at tier-1 conferences (LSF/MM) or regional summits
- Mentorship ability to grow junior engineers and interns
- Ability to identify opportunities in emerging technologies (e.g., Zoned Namespaces, IO_Uring) and translate into production-ready features
- Experience representing organization in international technical communities and conferences
- Customer-focused with quick response to critical data-path issues with upstream-first fixes
Desired Qualifications
- 7+ years of professional experience in Linux kernel development and maintenance
- Authoritative knowledge of the Linux block layer, SCSI, NVMe, and memory management
- Proven history of significant upstream kernel contributions and patch review authority
- Expert proficiency in C
- Experience presenting at tier-1 conferences such as LSF/MM or specialized regional summits
- Mentorship capability to grow junior engineers and interns
- Innovation mindset for emerging technologies (e.g., Zoned Namespaces, IO_Uring) and production-ready features
- Global influence and experience representing the organization in international technical communities and conferences
- Customer focus with rapid response to critical data-path issues with upstream-first fixes
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