--- title: 'Linux Kernel Development Engineer at CIQ' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/linux-kernel-development-engineer-ciq-remote-7hgqkekdmw9r' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-13' --- # Linux Kernel Development Engineer at CIQ - **Company:** CIQ - **Location:** Remote - **Work type:** remote - **Posted:** 2026-07-10 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-13 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/ciq/jobs/5287900008 ## Job description ## CIQ OVERVIEW CIQ builds the enterprise infrastructure that powers the world's most demanding workloads. From the operating system layer through AI infrastructure, high-performance computing, and cloud-native orchestration, CIQ delivers the speed, security, scalability, and sovereignty that major enterprises, government agencies, and research institutions depend on. CIQ is the founding support and services partner of Rocky Linux and the developer of the RLC Pro family of Enterprise Linux distributions, Fuzzball workload orchestration, Warewulf Pro cluster provisioning, and Ascender Pro automation. Our customers include some of the largest and most technically sophisticated organizations in the world, working across HPC, AI/ML, defense, and regulated industries. We are a company of builders, operators, and open source practitioners. If you want to do work that matters, at a company that is genuinely changing how enterprise infrastructure gets built and run, we want to talk. ## POSITION SUMMARY As a Linux Kernel Development Engineer, you will produce and maintain the Linux Kernel for Rocky Linux. You need to be familiar with various aspects of kernel support, including embedded and virtualization. You will work with the Development team to define software requirements and lead operational and technical projects. Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to: - Lead the design, development, and maintenance of Linux kernel components for our products/services at CIQ. - Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather requirements and translate them into efficient and scalable kernel designs. - Write high-quality, modular, and well-documented code in C and other relevant languages, adhering to coding standards and best practices. - Develop and maintain kernel-specific testing and automation tools to improve how we build, test, and release kernels. - Debug and resolve complex kernel-level issues, including memory management, process scheduling, and inter-process communication. - Collaborate with hardware engineers and other stakeholders to ensure seamless integration of kernel components with hardware platforms. - Stay updated with the latest advancements in the Linux kernel community and relevant technologies, evaluating their potential impact on our products and services. - Review code submissions from team members and provide constructive feedback to maintain code quality and consistency. - Conduct performance analysis and optimization of kernel components to meet specified performance targets. - Document design decisions, APIs, and processes for future reference and knowledge sharing. - Provide guidance and mentorship to junior developers, fostering their growth and development. ## NEEDED TO SUCCEED Successful candidates will have: - A passion for Linux and open source software, with a strong commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable products. - Proficiency in C programming and a deep understanding of low-level system programming concepts. - Strong debugging and troubleshooting skills to identify and resolve complex kernel-level issues. - In-depth knowledge of Linux kernel internals, file systems, device drivers, and kernel module development. - Familiarity with hardware platforms and architectures, including x86 and ARM, and their interactions with the Linux kernel. - Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to propose innovative solutions to technical challenges. - Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively in a team-oriented environment. - Self-motivated and able to work independently, manage priorities, and meet project deadlines. ## EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE - Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent Experience. - Minimum of 5 years of experience in Linux kernel development, with a strong focus on system-level programming and device driver development. - Extensive experience in designing and developing Linux kernel components, including process management, memory management, and inter-process communication. - Experience with version control systems, preferably Git, and collaborative development workflows. ## BENEFITS - Medical, dental, and vision insurance. - Flexible paid time off. - Employee stock options. - Remote work; no travel required for most positions. ## About CIQ ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: CIQ provides enterprise-grade, FIPS-validated software infrastructure for AI, HPC, and regulated environments, built around Rocky Linux and open-source orchestration tools. - **Entity Type**: Private (Series A; raised $26M total funding) - **Headquarters**: Reno, Nevada, USA - **Founded**: 2020 - **Founders**: Gregory Kurtzer (CEO) ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Enterprise infrastructure software, AI/HPC orchestration, Linux and open-source support. - **Target customers**: Large enterprises, research institutions, and government agencies requiring secure, compliant, and scalable Linux-based infrastructure. B2B, Enterprise. - **Mission or purpose statement**: “Simplify and unify software infrastructure, enabling you to craft groundbreaking technologies for the generations to come.” [ciq.com](https://ciq.com/company/about) ## Products & Services - **RLC Pro (Rocky Linux Commercial Pro)**: The commercial, enterprise-grade binary-compatible Linux distribution based on Rocky Linux. Includes LTS, FIPS 140-3 validated cryptography, and CAVP-certified post-quantum algorithms. Tiered versions include RLC Pro Hardened (for CMMC, CNSA 2.0) and RLC Pro AI (pre-integrated with NVIDIA CUDA/DOCA and AMD ROCm). - **Fuzzball**: A high-performance orchestration platform for AI and HPC workloads across on-premises and multi-cloud environments. - **Warewulf Pro**: Stateless cluster provisioning at scale, ensuring every node boots from a known state. - **Ascender Pro**: An open, enterprise-grade IT automation platform for managing complex workflows across the entire stack. - **Enterprise Support & Consulting**: Direct access to Linux and HPC engineers for production support, custom training, and hands-on consulting. - **Training**: Customized training on Linux, IT automation, HPC, and AI infrastructure, available in-person or virtually. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed. - **Key Metric**: Total funding of $26M (Series A). Reported 2.75M+ Rocky Linux instances and 250k average monthly downloads. [ciq.com](https://ciq.com/) - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Key partners include NVIDIA and AMD (pre-integrated GPU stacks). Investors not fully detailed on public site. - **Growth Signals**: 90% of Fortune 100 companies are reported users. Headcount growth trends show +66.7% yearly increase in job postings. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ctrliq) Amazon Linux 2 end-of-life (June 2026) provides a significant market migration opportunity to Rocky Linux. ## Competitive Advantages - **Rocky Linux Ownership**: As the founding commercial support and services partner of Rocky Linux, CIQ has direct influence and deep expertise in the most popular CentOS replacement. - **Full-Stack Integration**: Pre-validated NVIDIA and AMD GPU stacks (CUDA, DOCA, ROCm) eliminate driver matching and kernel conflicts, offering a ready-to-run AI infrastructure. - **Compliance and Security**: FIPS 140-3, CAVP, and CMMC certifications make CIQ a go-to for regulated industries and government contracts. - **Open-Source Core**: Built on open-source communities (Rocky Linux, Warewulf, Fuzzball), ensuring transparency and community innovation while providing enterprise-grade support. ## Strategic Focus - **AI Infrastructure**: Optimizing the OS and orchestration layers specifically for GPU-accelerated AI workloads, targeting the growing enterprise AI market. - **Regulated Environments**: Deepening compliance capabilities (CNSA 2.0, CMMC) to serve federal and defense sectors. - **Migration from Amazon Linux 2**: Capitalizing on the June 2026 end-of-life deadline to attract AWS-native enterprises seeking a stable, compliant alternative. - **Open-Source Ecosystem**: Continuing to invest in and lead the Rocky Linux and related open-source communities to drive adoption and innovation. ## Why Work Here - **100% Remote**: Full remote flexibility is a core offering. [ciq.com](https://ciq.com/company/careers) - **Culture of Ownership**: Emphasis on accountability, “startup mode” efficiency, and a “customer first” philosophy. - **Work with Industry Pioneers**: Collaborate with the creator of Rocky Linux and other open-source and HPC veterans. - **Comprehensive Benefits**: Healthcare, vision, dental, flexible PTO, and growth opportunities. - **Open and Humble Environment**: Culture built on mutual respect, diversity, and constructive feedback, with a “no-drama” policy. ## Sources 1. [ciq.com](https://ciq.com/) 2. [ciq.com - About](https://ciq.com/company/about) 3. [ciq.com - Careers](https://ciq.com/company/careers) 4. [ciq.com - Leadership](https://ciq.com/company/leadership) 5. [linkedin.com - CIQ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ctrliq) ## Other roles at CIQ - [Sr. Product Designer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-product-designer-ciq-remote-qxbdkn7gtcc0) - [HPC Development Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/hpc-development-engineer-ciq-remote-z1adq5knrcga) - [Sr. Linux Solutions Architect](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-linux-solutions-architect-ciq-remote-w1hk1mdaehpp) - [Account Executive](https://feeny.ai/job/account-executive-ciq-remote-nvx7e42cg25f) - [Sr. Customer Support Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-customer-support-engineer-ciq-remote-f8nv977b643g) - [Sr. Revenue Operations Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-revenue-operations-manager-ciq-remote-9jzx06mtmhz8) - [Sales Development Rep - North America (Must be located in India)](https://feeny.ai/job/sales-development-rep-north-america-must-be-located-in-india-ciq-remote-e6bksrz5wk03) - [Regional Sales Director - West Coast](https://feeny.ai/job/regional-sales-director-west-coast-ciq-remote-5meacybc13c3) - [Principal Linux Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-linux-engineer-ciq-remote-4n57eny54mbv)