Kernel Developer - KernelCare ELS Team

Location: Fully Remote (Worldwide) – Focus on LATAM time zones (Americas)

Employment Type: Full-time, B2B / Independent Contractor (or W2 for US-based candidates)

About the Position & Company

Our client is a global leader in Linux infrastructure and security solutions, known for pioneering automated live patching technologies that enable enterprises to apply critical kernel updates without reboots or downtime. They also provide extended support for end-of-life Linux distributions, helping organizations maintain compliance and enterprise-grade security.

With a fully remote team of 250+ professionals worldwide and a client base of over 4,500 enterprise customers—including major tech industry leaders—they deliver robust infrastructure solutions across the US, Europe, Latin America, and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Research & Analysis: Investigate upstream security (CVE) and bug fixes; analyze patch dependencies and impact on legacy kernels.
• Backporting: Manually backport Linux kernel patches to older kernel versions used in RPM-based and Debian-based distributions.
• Conflict Resolution: Resolve merge conflicts between upstream changes and target kernel codebases.
• Kernel Packaging: Build and rebuild kernel source and binary packages using reproducible build environments for RPM and Debian ecosystems.
• Validation & Testing: Validate patched kernels through build tests, runtime tests, and regression analysis to ensure stability.
• Tooling & Automation: Enhance internal workflows (patch preparation, build automation, validation pipelines) using Python, Go, and Shell scripting.
• AI Integration: Leverage agentic/AI-assisted development tools to accelerate tasks, while rigorously verifying every generated output.
• Documentation & Collaboration: Document technical decisions, participate in code reviews, and communicate clearly with team members across time zones.

Requirements

Must-Have

• Strong C proficiency and hands-on Linux debugging skills.
• Proven commercial experience in Linux kernel development—specifically patching, backporting, or debugging.
• Solid experience with Git, GNU build tools (make, autotools), and standard Linux developer utilities.
• Experience building Linux kernels or distribution packages from source.
• Scripting and automation skills: Python, Go, or Shell.
• Practical exposure to AI-assisted development tools (e.g., Copilot, Codeium, or similar), with a disciplined approach to code verification.
• English: Intermediate or higher (B1+), both written and spoken—you’ll be working in an international team and communicating in English daily.
• Strong ownership mindset, balanced technical judgment, and ability to articulate trade-offs.

Nice-to-Have

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

Candidate Profile (Cultural Fit)

• Hands-on practitioner: You love working directly with kernel code, not just theorizing.
• Methodical and detail-oriented: Kernel patching requires precision, reproducibility, and thorough validation.
• Ownership-driven: You take responsibility for outcomes, document your work, and proactively communicate risks.
• AI-curious but cautious: You embrace AI tools to accelerate development but never skip verification.
• Remote-first compatible: You thrive in async environments with minimal supervision and clear communication.

Benefits

• 100% remote work with flexible hours — work from anywhere in the world (focus on LATAM-friendly time zones).
• 24 paid vacation days + 10 national holidays + unlimited sick leave.
• Private medical insurance compensation.
• Coworking space and sports/fitness reimbursement.
• Professional development budget — conferences, courses, certifications.
• Reward program for patentable ideas.
• A collaborative, non-corporate environment with a strong engineering culture.