Senior Software Engineer - OpenShift Virtualization Windows Guests

Red Hat, LLC; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 119,000 - 196,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) match

Paid time off

Parental leave

Disability leave

Stock purchase plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Red Hat Engineering is building a dedicated team to enhance Windows VM support within OpenShift Virtualization. We seek a Senior Software Engineer with deep Windows internals expertise to drive stability, performance, and Windows-OpenShift integration across KubeVirt, QEMU, and libvirt.

You will debug complex Windows-specific issues, develop fixes, and contribute to architectural improvements while collaborating with distributed Red Hat teams and Open Source communities globally.

Qualifications

• Windows expertise: deep-level knowledge of Windows OS internals (kernel, drivers, configuration, debugging).
• Software engineering: 5+ years of experience in software development or engineering.
• Debugging & analysis: proven ability to conduct deep debugging and root cause analysis for complex issues.
• Virtualization/Containerization: understanding of virtualization technologies (Hyper-V, KVM, QEMU, libvirt) and containers.
• Open source development: experience with open source software development and community contribution is a plus.
• Programming: proficiency in at least one relevant language (Go, Python) is highly desirable.
• Communication: good written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Transition readiness: willingness to move into Linux/Kubernetes (K8s) world.
• System administration: experience with Windows or Linux system administration or architecture is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conduct deep-level debugging and root cause analysis to identify Windows-specific issues (BSODs, perf degradation, crashes).
• Develop immediate fixes and hotfixes for Windows VM customer pain points.
• Contribute to architectural improvements to enhance Windows experience on OpenShift Virtualization.
• Implement fixes and improvements to ensure stable, high-performance Windows support.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of development processes and methodologies.
• Participate in code reviews and provide feedback on software design and implementation.
• Monitor Windows developments to keep OpenShift Virtualization current and compatible.
• Contribute to KubeVirt and related components, integrating Windows requirements from the start of new features.

Skills

Windows internals

Software engineering

Root Cause Analysis

Virtualization

Open Source

Programming: Go/Python

Communication

Transition readiness

System administration

Job description

Red Hat will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position. Therefore, in order to be considered for this position, you must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

About the Job

Red Hat Engineering is establishing a new, dedicated team focused on enhancing the stability, performance, and overall user experience for running Microsoft Windows virtual machines within OpenShift Virtualization (KubeVirt). We are seeking a passionate and experienced Senior Software Engineer with deep expertise in Windows internals to join this team. The Senior Software Engineer will be integral to improving our self-sufficiency in handling complex, Windows-specific integration challenges. This role involves moving beyond reactive bug-fixing to proactively identify systemic weaknesses, propose sustainable solutions, and implement fixes to ensure stable and high-performance Windows support in a sustainable way. The successful candidate will test and enhance virtualization solutions contributing to industry-leading technologies such as Kubernetes, KubeVirt, Libvirt, and QEMU. As part of a geographically distributed team, you will collaborate with multiple Red Hat engineering teams and Open Source communities around the globe. Self-motivation, curiosity, a passion for problem-solving, Linux technologies, and Open Source are highly valued skills and experience for this position.

What You Will Do

• Conduct deep-level debugging and root cause analysis to understand why Windows-specific problems are appearing (e.g., BSODs, performance degradation, unexpected crashes).
• Develop immediate fixes and hotfixes for critical customer pain points related to Windows VMs.
• Contribute to the strategic planning and development of architectural improvements to enhance and optimize the entire Windows experience on OpenShift Virtualization.
• Implement identified fixes and improvements to our stack to ensure stable and high-performance Windows support.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of development processes and methodologies.
• Participate in code reviews and provide feedback on software design and implementation.
• Monitor new developments in Windows to ensure OpenShift Virtualization remains current and compatible.
• Contribute to the KubeVirt project and related components like QEMU and libvirt, integrating Windows requirements from the start of new features (long-term vision).

The salary range for this position is $118,600.00 - $195,680.00. Actual offer will be based on your qualifications.

Pay Transparency Red Hat determines compensation based on several factors including but not limited to job location, experience, applicable skills and training, external market value, and internal pay equity. Annual salary is one component of Red Hat’s compensation package. This position may also be eligible for bonus, commission, and/or equity. For positions with Remote-US locations, the actual salary range for the position may differ based on location but will be commensurate with job duties and relevant work experience.

What You Will Bring

This position is a strategic investment in developing internal expertise capable of bridging the gap between Windows operating systems and the KubeVirt ecosystem.

• Windows Expertise: Deep-level knowledge of Windows operating system internals (kernel, drivers, configuration, debugging).
• Software Engineering: 5+ years of experience in software development or engineering.
• Debugging & Analysis: Proven ability to conduct deep debugging and Root Cause Analysis for complex issues.
• Virtualization/Containerization: Understanding of virtualization technologies (e.g. Hyper-V or KVM, QEMU, libvirt) and containerization.
• Open Source Development: Experience with open source software development and community contribution is a plus.
• Programming: Proficiency in at least one relevant programming language (e.g., Golang, Python) is highly desirable.
• Communication: Good written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Transition Readiness: Willingness and desire to transition into the Linux/Kubernetes (K8s) world.
• System Administration: Experience with Windows or Linux system administration or architecture is a plus.

About Red Hat

Red Hat is the world’s leading provider of enterprise open source software solutions, using a community-powered approach to deliver high‑performing Linux, cloud, container, and Kubernetes technologies. Spread across 40+ countries, our associates work flexibly across work environments, from in‑office, to office‑flex, to fully remote, depending on the requirements of their role. Red Hatters are encouraged to bring their best ideas, no matter their title or tenure. We're a leader in open source because of our open and inclusive environment. We hire creative, passionate people ready to contribute their ideas, help solve complex problems, and make an impact.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Account - healthcare and dependent care
• Health Savings Account - high deductible medical plan
• Retirement 401(k) with employer match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Paid parental leave plans for all new parents
• Leave benefits including disability, paid family medical leave, and paid military leave
• Additional benefits including employee stock purchase plan, family planning reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, transportation expense account, employee assistance program, and more!

Note: These benefits are only applicable to full time, permanent associates at Red Hat located in the United States.

Inclusion at Red Hat

Red Hat’s culture is built on the open source principles of transparency, collaboration, and inclusion, where the best ideas can come from anywhere and anyone. When this is realized, it empowers people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to come together to share ideas, challenge the status quo, and drive innovation. Our aspiration is that everyone experiences this culture with equal opportunity and access, and that all voices are not only heard but also celebrated. We hope you will join our celebration, and we welcome and encourage applicants from all the beautiful dimensions that compose our global village.

Equal Opportunity Policy (EEO)

Red Hat is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer.

We review applications for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, veteran status, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Red Hat does not seek or accept unsolicited resumes or CVs from recruitment agencies.

We are not responsible for, and will not pay, any fees, commissions, or any other payment related to unsolicited resumes or CVs except as required in a written contract between Red Hat and the recruitment agency or party requesting payment of a fee.

Red Hat supports individuals with disabilities and provides reasonable accommodations to job applicants.

If you need assistance completing our online job application, email [e-mail].

General inquiries, such as those regarding the status of a job application, will not receive a reply.

We’re the world’s leading provider of enterprise open source solutions—including Linux, cloud, container, and Kubernetes.

We deliver hardened solutions that make it easier for enterprises to work across platforms and environments, from the core datacenter to the network edge.

At Red Hat, our commitment to open source extends beyond technology into virtually everything we do.

We collaborate and share ideas, create inclusive communities, and welcome diverse perspectives from all Red Hatters, no matter their role.

It’s what makes us who we are.

Some of the most knowledgeable and passionate people in the technology industry work here.

Whether we’re building software, championing our products, or training new associates, we’re collaborating openly to make a difference in the world of open source and beyond.