Linux Kernel Engineer - EOS Platform

Arista; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 123,000 - 191,000; Full time

Job summary

Arista is seeking a Kernel Software Engineer to join the Linux Kernel team responsible for developing and maintaining the EOS Linux kernel. You will evaluate CPUs, work with vendors, bring‑up new hardware, and contribute features to the mainline kernel while focusing on performance and scalability.

You will own projects end-to-end, collaborate with hardware engineers and kernel communities, and mentor junior engineers in a fast-paced environment within Arista’s Santa Clara campus.

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of C programming.
• Desirable knowledge of C++ and Python.
• Extensive experience troubleshooting Linux kernel issues.
• Familiarity with Linux kernel architecture and upstream patching processes.
• Understanding of IP networking and modern software engineering practices.

Responsibilities

• Track Linux Kernel developments and identify features for Arista products and internal needs.
• Develop and maintain EOS Kernel features and tests using C, C++ and Python; build automated tests and infrastructure.
• Qualify new Kernel-dependent hardware components (CPUs, NICs) with hardware engineers and vendors.
• Contribute features back to the mainline kernel in collaboration with the Kernel community.
• Lead kernel-related projects and mentor junior engineers in Arista’s development environment.
• Collaborate with Customer Support Engineers to diagnose and fix network issues in customers' environments.
• Work with System Test Engineers to analyze problems and provide fixes.

Skills

C

C++

Python

Linux kernel

Kernel debugging

Education

BS CS/EE/CE + 3 years

MS CS/EE/CE + 2 years

PhD CS/EE/CE + 1 year

Job description

Arista is seeking a Kernel Software Engineer to join the Linux Kernel team responsible for developing and maintaining the EOS Linux kernel. You will evaluate CPUs, work with vendors, bring‑up new hardware, and contribute features to the mainline kernel while focusing on performance and scalability.

You will own projects end-to-end, collaborate with hardware engineers and kernel communities, and mentor junior engineers in a fast-paced environment within Arista’s Santa Clara campus.