Kernel/Linux Engineer

Job Title

Kernel/Linux Engineer

Role Summary

Senior Linux kernel engineer on AMD's Server Software and Solutions Engineering team. Work to enable AMD x86-64 architecture features in Linux and develop core CPU and SoC capabilities across the Linux kernel and related open-source projects.

Collaborate with hardware and software teams to improve virtualization, memory management, performance, scalability, low-level platform enablement, and Linux distribution integration.

Experience Level

Senior-level (posting specifies a Senior Linux Kernel Engineer). No explicit years-of-experience requirement stated.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include kernel enablement, upstream collaboration, and platform-level optimization.

• Enable and validate AMD x86-64 CPU/SoC features within the Linux kernel and related subsystems.
• Design, implement, and maintain kernel code for virtualization, memory management, I/O, and platform software.
• Work with KVM/QEMU and other virtualization stacks to improve platform support and performance.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers and cross-functional teams to deliver platform-level solutions.
• Debug low-level issues using kernel debuggers, emulators, and simulators; perform root-cause analysis.
• Optimize code for performance and scalability in cloud, enterprise, and datacenter environments.
• Contribute patches and participate in upstream open-source development and review processes.
• Support integration with Linux distributions and coordinate with external partners and open-source communities.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience; additional items are desirable.

• Proven Linux kernel development experience and low-level systems programming in C.
• Strong knowledge of x86 architecture, ACPI, PCIe, and OS concepts (memory management, security).
• Experience with virtualization technologies such as KVM and QEMU, or equivalent virtualization work.
• Familiarity with GNU development tools, Git-based workflows, and upstream contribution processes.
• Competence with debugging tools, emulators, simulators, and performance analysis techniques.
• Ability to collaborate across hardware and software teams and to work in open-source communities.

Nice-to-have:

• Direct contributions to Linux KVM, QEMU, or other virtualization projects.
• Experience preparing and submitting upstream patches and reviews.
• Background in platform enablement or system-level performance tuning for datacenter workloads.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field — or equivalent practical experience. The role expects professional experience in Linux kernel, systems software, virtualization, or operating systems.

About the Company

Company: Advanced Micro Devices

Headquarters: Sunnyvale, California, USA

Advanced Micro Devices, or AMD, is a global semiconductor company that designs and manufactures microprocessors, graphics processors, and related technologies for a variety of computing devices. Known for pushing the boundaries of innovation, AMD's mission is to deliver high-performance computing solutions for AI, data centers, gaming, and embedded applications. They foster a collaborative, inclusive culture focused on creativity and problem-solving, aiming to drive progress and excellence in technology.