Kernel Developer - KernelCare ELS Team (remote work, LATAM)

TuxCare Inc.; Santiago; A distancia; CLP 36.000.000 - 60.000.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Remote work

Vacation and holidays

Private medical insurance

Education budget

Co-working reimbursement

Gym reimbursement

Descripción de la vacante

TuxCare is seeking a Kernel Developer to join the KernelCare ELS Team, focusing on practical patching, backporting fixes, and building distributions for enterprise Linux.

You will investigate upstream kernel changes, prepare patches, validate them with tests, and collaborate with the kernel team to ensure patches are reproducible and maintainable. This position offers fully remote work with flexible hours and strong ownership of engineering outcomes.

Formación

• Strong C programming and Linux debugging skills.
• Practical kernel development or backporting experience.
• Git, GNU build tools, and Linux development utilities.
• Experience building kernels or distribution packages.
• Automation with Python/Go/Shell.
• English at least intermediate.
• Ownership and sound technical judgment.

Responsabilidades

• Investigating upstream security and bug fixes and identifying their dependencies.
• Backporting Linux kernel patches to older RPM- and Debian-based distributions.
• Resolving conflicts caused by differences between upstream and target kernel versions.
• Building and rebuilding kernel source and binary packages in reproducible environments.
• Validating patched kernels through focused tests, build checks, and regression analysis.
• Improving patch preparation, build, and validation workflows with Python, Go, or Shell.
• Documenting technical decisions and participating in code review with the kernel team.

Conocimientos

C programming

Linux kernel development

Git & build tools

Patching & backporting

Linux debugging

Automation scripting

English proficiency

Educación

B.S. in computer science

CS degree or equivalent

Herramientas

Docker

QEMU

Jenkins

CI systems

RPM packaging

Debian packaging

Descripción del empleo

TuxCare offers a comprehensive portfolio of security solutions for Linux and open-source software designed for enterprise organizations. With TuxCare, companies can automate live vulnerability patching, minimize downtime, ensure security and compliance, and rely on a team with deep expertise in Linux security. The solutions cover the most popular Linux distributions, end-of-life systems, programming languages, and more.
Learn more at: https://tuxcare.com/

Product Description

KernelCare provides automated live patching for Linux kernels without requiring reboots. Our Extended Lifecycle Support products keep end-of-life Linux distributions secure by backporting important security and bug fixes to older software versions used by enterprise customers.

Role and Team

We are looking for a Kernel Developer to join the KernelCare ELS Team. The team investigates upstream Linux kernel changes, backports fixes to supported enterprise kernels, builds distribution packages, and validates that patches are safe and reproducible. The role is centered on practical patching and building work. You will also use automation and agentic development tools to accelerate investigation while retaining engineering ownership of every result.

Responsibilities

• Investigating upstream security and bug fixes and identifying their dependencies.
• Backporting Linux kernel patches to older RPM- and Debian-based distributions.
• Resolving conflicts caused by differences between upstream and target kernel versions.
• Building and rebuilding kernel source and binary packages in reproducible environments.
• Validating patched kernels through focused tests, build checks, and regression analysis.
• Improving patch preparation, build, and validation workflows with Python, Go, or Shell.
• Using agentic development tools.
• Documenting technical decisions and participating in code review with the kernel team.

Must Have

• Strong C programming and Linux debugging skills.
• Practical Linux kernel development, patching, or backporting experience.
• Confident use of Git, GNU build tools, and standard Linux development utilities.
• Experience building Linux kernels or distribution packages.
• Automation experience with Python, Go, Shell, or a similar language.
• Some experience with agentic or AI-assisted development and a clear approach to validating generated output.
• English at an intermediate level or higher, both written and spoken.
• Strong ownership, careful technical judgment, and readiness to explain trade-offs.

Nice to Have

• Experience with RPM/SRPM or Debian kernel packaging.
• Security patching, CVE analysis, or extended lifecycle maintenance experience.
• Familiarity with Docker, QEMU, Jenkins, or other CI systems.
• Experience designing kernel tests or investigating core dumps and regressions.

What's in it for you?

• A focus on professional development.
• Interesting and challenging projects.
• Fully remote work with flexible working hours, that allows you to schedule your day and work from any location worldwide.
• Paid 24 days of vacation per year, 10 days of national holidays, and unlimited sick leaves.
• Compensation for private medical insurance.
• Co-working and gym/sports reimbursement.
• Budget for education.
• The opportunity to receive a reward for the most innovative idea that the company can patent.

By applying for this position, you consent to the processing of your personal data as described in our Privacy Policy ( https://tuxcare.com/privacy-policies-hub/candidate-privacy-notice/ ), which provides detailed information on how we maintain and handle your data.