Principal Linux Kernel Engineer – NVIDIA CPU Server Platforms

Job Title

Principal Linux Kernel Engineer 6 NVIDIA CPU Server Platforms

Role Summary

Lead the development and upstream-first Linux kernel strategy for NVIDIA CPU and SoC server platforms. Work with CPU architects, firmware, hardware, and software teams to design kernel support that minimizes downstream maintenance and scales across ecosystems.

This role combines technical leadership, upstream open-source engagement, and cross-functional coordination to enable next-generation CPU platform features.

Experience Level

Senior 6 requires 14+ years of experience developing Linux kernel software.

Responsibilities

The role focuses on upstream enablement, subsystem architecture, and long-term maintainability.

• Define and drive the Linux kernel strategy for NVIDIA CPU platforms using an upstream-first model.
• Lead upstream enablement across kernel subsystems to minimize downstream patches and maintenance burden.
• Track kernel evolution and drive roadmaps for memory management, scheduling, virtualization, PCIe, ACPI, RAS, CXL, networking, filesystems, and security.
• Collaborate with CPU architects, hardware designers, firmware teams, and software engineers to influence hardware and interface designs for clean upstream support.
• Represent NVIDIA in the Linux open-source community; work with subsystem maintainers and drive upstream reviews.
• Architect and implement kernel support for next-generation CPU/SoC features and identify opportunities to simplify software via hardware/firmware design.
• Establish upstream development best practices, code quality standards, and kernel review processes.
• Mentor engineers and lead complex cross-functional software initiatives.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience. Degree information is listed in Education Requirements.

• Deep expertise in Linux kernel internals and multiple kernel subsystems.
• Proven track record of contributing to and influencing upstream kernel development.
• Strong understanding of CPU architecture, interrupts, memory management, scheduling, synchronization, virtualization, ACPI, PCIe, and device drivers.
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional software projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to influence technical direction across organizations.
• Experience collaborating with Linux distributions and ecosystem partners.

Nice-to-have:

• Current or former maintainer of a major upstream Linux kernel subsystem.
• Experience enabling Linux on new CPU or SoC architectures.
• Familiarity with ARM64 or server-class CPU platforms.

Education Requirements

Bachelors, Masters, or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

About the Company

Company: NVIDIA

Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, USA

NVIDIA is a global leader in accelerated computing, renowned for its innovative solutions in AI and digital twins that transform diverse industries. The company specializes in networking technologies, providing end-to-end InfiniBand and Ethernet solutions for servers and storage that optimize performance and scalability. NVIDIA serves sectors such as high-performance computing, enterprise data centers, and cloud computing, constantly reinventing its products and services to stay ahead in the market.