Kernel Developer at CloudLinux

About TuxCare

TuxCare offers a comprehensive portfolio of security solutions for Linux and open-source software, specifically designed for enterprise organizations. With TuxCare's innovative products, companies can automate live vulnerability patching, significantly minimize downtime, ensure robust security, and maintain compliance standards. The team at TuxCare possesses deep expertise in Linux security, providing solutions that cover the most popular Linux distributions, end-of-life systems, various programming languages, and much more. For more details, visit tuxcare.com.

Product Overview: KernelCare & Extended Lifecycle Support

KernelCare delivers automated live patching for Linux kernels, eliminating the need for system reboots. Our Extended Lifecycle Support (ELS) products are crucial for maintaining the security of end-of-life Linux distributions by backporting essential security and bug fixes to older software versions utilized by enterprise customers.

The Role: Kernel Developer, KernelCare ELS Team

We are actively seeking a talented Kernel Developer to join our dedicated KernelCare ELS team. This role is central to investigating upstream Linux kernel changes, meticulously backporting fixes to supported enterprise kernels, building reliable distribution packages, and thoroughly validating that all patches are safe and reproducible. Your work will involve practical patching and building, alongside leveraging automation and agentic development tools to accelerate investigations while always retaining full engineering ownership of every outcome.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigate upstream security and bug fixes, accurately identifying their dependencies within the kernel structure.
• Backport critical Linux kernel patches to a variety of older RPM- and Debian-based distributions.
• Efficiently resolve conflicts that arise due to differences between upstream and target kernel versions.
• Build and meticulously rebuild kernel source and binary packages within reproducible environments to ensure consistency.
• Validate patched kernels through focused tests, comprehensive build checks, and in-depth regression analysis.
• Continuously improve patch preparation, build, and validation workflows using powerful scripting languages like Python, Go, or Shell.
• Responsibly utilize agentic development tools, diligently verifying all generated code, analysis, and documentation.
• Document technical decisions clearly and participate actively in code reviews with the expert kernel team.

Requirements

Must Have

• Strong C programming and Linux debugging skills, essential for kernel-level development.
• Demonstrated practical experience in Linux kernel development, patching, or backporting.
• Confident proficiency with Git, GNU build tools, and standard Linux development utilities.
• Proven experience in building Linux kernels or distribution packages.
• Automation experience with languages such as Python, Go, or Shell.
• Some experience with agentic or AI-assisted development, coupled with a clear, methodical approach to validating generated output.
• Intermediate English level or higher, both written and spoken, for effective communication.
• Strong sense of ownership, careful technical judgment, and the ability to clearly explain trade-offs and decisions.

Nice to Have

• Experience with RPM/SRPM or Debian kernel packaging.
• Background in security patching, CVE analysis, or extended lifecycle maintenance.
• Familiarity with containerization and CI systems like Docker, QEMU, or Jenkins.
• Experience in designing kernel tests or investigating core dumps and regressions.

Benefits and Perks

At TuxCare, we invest in our team and offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional and personal well-being:

• A strong focus on professional development and continuous learning.
• Engaging and challenging projects that push the boundaries of Linux security.
• Fully remote work with flexible working hours, allowing you to schedule your day and work from any location worldwide.
• Generous paid time off: 24 days of vacation per year, 10 days of national holidays, and unlimited sick leaves.
• Compensation for private medical insurance.
• Reimbursement for co-working spaces and gym/sports memberships.
• Dedicated budget for education and professional growth.
• The unique opportunity to receive a reward for highly innovative ideas that the company can patent.