Senior Principal Software Engineer - 5 (Linux Kernel Engineer)

About the role

The Oracle Cloud Linux team is seeking experienced Linux Kernel Developers to help advance the Linux operating system for large-scale cloud environments. This role involves contributing to Linux kernel and working on innovative projects across multiple kernel subsystems, including networking, storage, security, performance optimization, virtual memory management, architecture enablement, and live patching technologies.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities: Design, develop, and optimize kernel features across areas such as:

• Networking (Ethernet, InfiniBand, OFED, RoCE, DPDK, and related technologies)
• Storage and Filesystems (iSCSI, Fibre Channel, NFS, ZFS, Btrfs, block layer, and filesystem layer)
• Virtual Memory Management and Performance Optimization, including large page management and container workload performance
• Security technologies such as encryption, TPM integration, signed kernels/modules, Secure Boot, and bootloader security

Contribute to the upstream Linux kernel and drive enhancements for cloud-scale deployments. Collaborate closely with hardware design teams on processor bring-up and architecture enablement initiatives.

Qualifications

Strong background in operating systems development. Several years of hands-on Unix/Linux kernel development experience preferred. Proficiency in C programming and kernel-level debugging. Expertise in one or more Linux kernel subsystems, including networking, storage, memory management, security, or processor architecture. Experience with open-source development practices and upstream kernel contributions is highly desirable. Familiarity with Python and Bash scripting for development and automation tasks.

Preferred Experience

• High-performance networking technologies such as RoCE, advanced Ethernet networking
• Filesystem and storage technologies including XFS, ZFS, NFS, iSCSI, Fibre Channel, and Linux block layer development
• Virtual memory management, performance tuning, and container optimization
• Security technologies including TPM, Secure Boot, kernel signing, and encryption frameworks
• Live patching technologies and kernel maintenance

Benefits

Oracle US offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes the following:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, including expert medical opinion
• Short term disability and long term disability
• Life insurance and AD&D
• Supplemental life insurance (Employee/Spouse/Child)
• Health care and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Pre-tax commuter and parking benefits
• 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan with company match
• Paid time off: Flexible Vacation is provided to all eligible employees assigned to a salaried (non-overtime eligible) position
• 11 paid holidays
• Paid sick leave: 72 hours of paid sick leave upon date of hire
• Paid parental leave
• Adoption assistance
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Financial planning and group legal
• Voluntary benefits including auto, homeowner and pet insurance

Pay

Hiring Range in USD from: $135,200 - $306,400 per year. May be eligible for bonus, equity, and compensation deferral.