OS Kernel System Software Development Engineer

The Ash Group; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company matching

Discretionary annual bonus

Job summary

The Ash Group is hiring an OS Kernel System Software Development Engineer for our client, a global technology powerhouse in Palo Alto, CA. This fulltime onsite role offers up to $200K salary and comprehensive benefits.

Responsibilities include writing production C code for kernel and system components, developing the OS kernel and hypervisor, enabling server platforms, debugging low-level issues, and partnering with hardware teams to advance platform capabilities.

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD with extensive industry experience in OS/kernel software.
• Excellent C programming and kernel development skills.
• Deep understanding of microprocessor architectures and OS internals.
• Experience with Git, Gerrit, and Perforce for code review.
• Ability to build, troubleshoot Makefiles and Linux shell scripts.
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities.

Responsibilities

• Write production C code for kernel and system components.
• Develop and maintain OS kernel and hypervisor for virtualization platform.
• Enable new server platforms through hardware bring-up.
• Debug low-level system and boot issues.
• Collaborate with hardware partners on platform integration.
• Maintain CPU and platform support across architectures.
• Tune kernel performance and optimization.
• Contribute to research and architecture of future capabilities.
• Review code and manage version control with Git, Gerrit, Perforce.
• Build and troubleshoot Makefiles and Linux shell scripts.
• Communicate technical concepts to stakeholders.

Skills

C programming

Kernel development

OS internals

Multicore architectures

Analytical debugging

Independent work

Education

BS in Computer Science/Engineering

MS in Computer Science/Engineering

PhD in Computer Science/Engineering

Tools

Git

Gerrit

Perforce

Makefiles

Linux shell scripting

Job description

*** US Citizens or Green Card Holder Only. No C2C or 3rd Parties ***

Summary

The Ash Group is hiring an OS Kernel System Software Development Engineer (24254) for our client, a global technology powerhouse supplying semiconductor and infrastructure software products for the world's leading networks. This is a fulltime position working in Palo Alto, CA (Onsite). We are offering a salary up to 200K based on skill set.

• Compensation: Up to 200K depending on experience
• Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, and direct primary care benefits. After six months of employment, enjoy a 4% matched 401(k) plan with immediate 100% vesting.

This role focuses on developing and maintaining the OS kernel and system software for a leading virtualization platform, ensuring robust CPU and platform support across ARM and x86 architectures. The engineer will collaborate with hardware partners and internal teams to deliver high‑quality, low‑level software that powers virtual machines in enterprise data centers. The position requires deep technical expertise and a research mindset to drive future platform capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Write production C code for kernel and system components
• Develop and maintain OS kernel and hypervisor for the virtualization platform
• Enable new server platforms through hardware bring‑up (boot, chipset, drivers)
• Debug low‑level system and boot issues
• Collaborate with hardware partners (Intel, ARM, etc.) on platform integration
• Maintain and enhance CPU and platform support across architectures
• Perform kernel performance tuning and optimization
• Contribute to research and architecture of future capabilities
• Review code and manage version control using git, gerrit, and Perforce
• Build and troubleshoot makefiles and Linux shell scripts
• Communicate technical concepts to internal and external stakeholders

Qualifications

• BS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent with 12+ years of industry experience
• MS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent with 10+ years of industry experience
• PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent with 7+ years of industry experience
• Excellent C programming skills is a must
• Deep understanding of modern microprocessor architectures (multiprocessor programming, cache architecture, barriers)
• Strong knowledge of operating system and kernel internals (Linux, BSD, Windows NT) is required
• Solid knowledge of modern computer systems, especially I/O (PCI, ACPI, IOMMU, DMA, UEFI)
• Expertise in version control and collaborative code review tools (git, gerrit, Perforce)
• Ability to understand, create, modify, and troubleshoot build issues, makefiles, and Linux shell scripts
• Self‑starting attitude and ability to work independently outside comfort zones
• Strong analytical and debugging skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Discretionary annual bonus per plan documents
• Equity award per equity plan documents
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) participation with company matching