> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/231417-senior-software-engineer-kernel-device-drivers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/231417-senior-software-engineer-kernel-device-drivers). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Senior Software Engineer - Kernel & Device Drivers - **Company:** SambaNova Systems, Inc. - **Location:** San Jose, CA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $120,000.0 - $200,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** C++ (Programming Language), CMake, Software Quality, Code Review, System Configuration, Software Debugging, Programming Tools, Device Drivers, Ethernet, Firmware, Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Joint Test Action (IEEE Standards), Python (Programming Language), Linux Kernel, PCI Express, System Programming, System Software, Toolchain, Scripting, Git, Information Technology, Production Code, Build Tools, Docker, Jenkins - **Published:** May 17, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.careerboard.com/us/en/find-jobs-in-United-States/-DEDB83E44F2084F7D9/ ## About the Role * BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field. * 5+ years of experience in Kernel or low-level system software development. Additional Required Qualifications * Familiarity with Linux kernel, drivers, user-space libraries, and applications. * Strong C/C+ programming and debugging skills; Scripting experience in Python and shell. * Experience with high-speed IO or interconnects such as PCIe, Ethernet, or similar technologies. * Experience with system bring-up and hardware-software co-debug. * Experience with manufacturing test flows. * Familiarity with development tools such as Git, Docker, Jenkins, or Bazel. * Familiarity with build systems and toolchains (GCC, LLVM, Make, CMake). * Strong ownership and ability to drive issues to resolution. * Clear communicator with a collaborative, problem-solving mindset. Preferred Qualifications * Experience with PHY bring-up and initialization. * Ability to read and understand hardware specifications and register-level documentation. * Exposure to pre-silicon validation (FPGA, emulation) and post-silicon bring-up. * Familiarity with board schematics and low-level hardware interaction. * Solid debugging skills using logs, trace tools (GDB), JTAG, or hardware debuggers. * Background in high-performance or accelerator-based systems. ## Description SambaNova is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to develop kernel-level drivers and low-level software for high-speed IO and memory subsystems within the DataScale® platform and RDU architecture. The role enables system bring-up, debug complex cross-layer issues, and deliver production-quality software that scales across systems and deployments. Working across kernel, firmware, and hardware, the engineer builds robust, maintainable drivers and frameworks supporting validation, manufacturing, and system performance. This is a hands-on role for an engineer with strong low-level programming skills, solid hardware understanding, and a focus on reliability, performance, and code quality. Responsibilities * Develop and maintain kernel-space drivers for high-speed IO and memory subsystems. * Enable platform bring-up and support driver integration across new silicon and system configurations. * Write clean, maintainable, production-quality code and lead code reviews. * Support system bring-up from early silicon through production. * Debug complex issues across kernel, firmware, and hardware layers and drive them to root cause and resolution. * Support PHY initialization and validation across high-speed interfaces and debug related issues. * Interpret hardware specifications and schematics to guide bring-up and debugging. * Develop tools and frameworks for performance analysis, validation, and manufacturing test. * Identify system bottlenecks and implement optimizations across driver and system layers. * Enable post-silicon validation through software automation and infrastructure. ## Related Videos - [Code to Road in < 12 hours](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1082-code-to-road-in-12-hours) - [Docker Compose: Rediscovered](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1978-docker-compose-rediscovered) - [How a Small Team Shrank a Microsoft Monorepo by 94%](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1236-how-a-small-team-shrank-a-microsoft-monorepo-by-94) - [The best of two worlds - Bringing enterprise-grade Linux to the vehicle](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/67-the-best-of-two-worlds-bringing-enterprise-grade-linux-to-the-vehicle) - [Docker build without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100114-docker-build-without-docker) - [Git for Code Reviews](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/429-git-for-code-reviews) ## Related Articles - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [How software is steering vehicle technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/515-how-software-is-steering-vehicle-technology) - [Best Countries for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/267-best-countries-for-software-engineers) - [Is Software Engineering Hard?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/448-is-software-engineering-hard) - [Where to Find Entry-Level Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/397-where-to-find-entry-level-software-engineering-jobs)