Senior Kernel Developer

IBM India Pvt. Limited; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 4,000,000 - 6,000,000; Full time

Job summary

IBM India Pvt. Limited in Bengaluru seeks a Lead Linux Kernel Engineer to architect, design, develop, and optimize kernel components such as memory management, scheduler, virtualization, and I/O for IBM Power systems.

You will collaborate with open-source communities, upstream features, mentor engineers, and shape kernel direction. The role requires 12–18 years of experience, deep OS fundamentals, strong C/C++, Python, and shell scripting, and a proven track record in performance tuning and

Qualifications

• 12–18 years of experience in Linux internals and kernel development.
• Strong experience in kernel programming and debugging.
• Experience with Memory Management, Filesystems, Virtualization, Device Drivers, Networking.
• Proficiency in C, C++, Python, and shell scripting.
• Experience contributing to open-source Linux kernel communities.
• Familiarity with tracing/debugging tools: GDB, crash, ftrace, perf, eBPF, SystemTap, kgdb.
• Experience with kernel performance tuning and complex problem resolution.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of Linux kernel components on IBM Power systems.
• Collaborate with open-source communities and upstream features.
• Mentor engineers and guide technical direction of kernel technologies.
• Provide performance optimization and debugging for enterprise workloads.
• Drive architectural decisions for Memory Management, Scheduler, and I/O subsystems.

Skills

Kernel programming

Kernel debugging

Performance analysis

Root cause analysis

C programming

C++ programming

Python scripting

Shell scripting

Open-source contribution

Tracing tools

LKML experience

Technical leadership

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Git

Checkpatch

GDB

Crash

Ftrace

Perf

eBPF

SystemTap

kgdb

Kernel patches

Job description

Your Role and Responsibilities:

As a lead Linux Kernel Engineer, you will drive the architecture, design, development, and optimization of key 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, ensuring industry-leading performance, scalability, reliability, and maintainability for strategic workloads.

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

Required Education:

Bachelor's Degree

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

Years of Experience:

12 - 18