This role pays more than
99%
of similar roles. Most pay
$176,200–$238,087
— the shaded band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$352k
versus about
$207k
for comparable roles.
Based on 240 similar postings.
Employer
About Nvidia
Nvidia is a leading designer of graphics processing units (GPUs) and system-on-chip units, powering gaming, professional visualization, data centers, and artificial intelligence workloads. Industry: Semiconductors & AI Computing
Nvidia currently has
1391 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$184,000–$287,500
across 1116 roles with salary data.
As a Principal Linux Kernel Engineer for NVIDIA CPU Server Platforms, you will lead the upstream-first Linux kernel strategy and development plan for next-generation CPU and SoC architectures. You will own the roadmap for core subsystems including memory management, scheduling, virtualization, PCIe, ACPI, RAS, CXL, networking, filesystems, and security while minimizing downstream maintenance. The role involves collaborating with hardware designers and firmware teams to influence architecture and advocating for NVIDIA technologies within the Linux open-source community. You will establish best practices for code quality and mentor engineers across the organization. This position requires deep expertise in Linux kernel internals, device drivers, and CPU architecture. Ideal candidates possess extensive experience in upstream development, potentially as a maintainer, and have a proven track record of enabling Linux on server-class platforms and ARM64 architectures.
Drive the Linux kernel strategy for NVIDIA CPU platforms using an upstream-first development model.
Lead the upstream enablement of hardware across major Linux kernel subsystems while minimizing downstream maintenance.
Manage technical roadmaps for core subsystems including memory management, scheduling, virtualization, PCIe, and networking.
Influence hardware architecture and interfaces to ensure clean, upstream-friendly Linux support.
Represent NVIDIA in the open-source community by collaborating with subsystem maintainers and driving upstream reviews.
Lead the architecture and implementation of kernel support for next-generation CPU and SoC features.
Establish best practices for code quality, review processes, and long-term maintainability while mentoring engineers.
Collaborate with Linux distributions and ecosystem partners to shape future Linux kernel capabilities.
What we're looking for
Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent experience.
14+ years of experience developing Linux kernel software.
Deep expertise in Linux kernel internals and multiple kernel subsystems.
Recognized contributor with an established reputation in the Linux kernel community including experience reviewing and influencing upstream development.
Strong understanding of CPU architecture, memory management, interrupts, scheduling, synchronization, virtualization, ACPI, PCIe, and device drivers.
Experience leading complex cross-functional software initiatives.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence technical direction across engineering organizations.
Current or former Linux kernel maintainer for a major upstream Linux kernel subsystem (preferred); experience enabling Linux on new CPU/SoC architectures; familiarity with ARM64 or server-class platforms (preferred).