Principal Software Engineer, Linux Kernel Storage

About the Job

Red Hat is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to join our Storage-IO team. In this role, you will help maintain the Linux kernel block layer—a critical intersection of file systems, databases, and various block drivers including SCSI and NVMe. This position requires someone who has strong Linux kernel skills. You will be a part of the upstream Linux community, participating in technical direction and ensuring the stability and performance of the enterprise storage stack.

What You Will Do

• Maintenance of the Linux kernel block layer, the main software interface between storage drivers, storage protocols, software-defined storage, and file systems

• Manage high-volume backporting efforts for RHEL releases, ensuring enterprise distributions remain current with upstream innovations

• Implement and promote features that provide direct customer value

• Drive the development of emerging block technologies

• Solve complex kernel issues and performance bottlenecks

• Maintain a rigorous commitment to quality through the development of upstream CI tests and automated pipelines

What You Will Bring

• 7+ years of professional experience in Linux kernel development and maintenance

• Authoritative knowledge of the Linux block layer, SCSI, NVMe, and memory management

• Proven history of significant upstream kernel contributions and patch review authority

• Expert proficiency in C

• Experience presenting at tier-1 conferences such as LSF/MM or specialized regional summits

Preferred Skills & Competencies

• Mentorship: Demonstrated ability to grow junior engineers and interns into high-impact contributors

• Innovation: Ability to identify opportunities in emerging technologies (e.g., Zoned Namespaces, IO_Uring) and translate them into production-ready features

• Global Influence: Experience representing the organization in international technical communities and conferences

• Customer Focus: A track record of rapid response to critical customer hangs or data-path issues with accurate, upstream-first fixes

#LI-HM1

The salary range for this position is $151,510.00 - $249,950.00. Actual offer will be based on your qualifications.

Pay Transparency

Red Hat determines compensation based on several factors including but not limited to job location, experience, applicable skills and training, external market value, and internal pay equity. Annual salary is one component of Red Hat’s compensation package. This position may also be eligible for bonus, commission, and/or equity. For positions with Remote-US locations, the actual salary range for the position may differ based on location but will be commensurate with job duties and relevant work experience. 

About Red Hat

Red Hat is the world’s leading provider of enterprise open source software solutions, using a community-powered approach to deliver high-performing Linux, cloud, container, and Kubernetes technologies. Spread across 40+ countries, our associates work flexibly across work environments, from in-office, to office-flex, to fully remote, depending on the requirements of their role. Red Hatters are encouraged to bring their best ideas, no matter their title or tenure. We're a leader in open source because of our open and inclusive environment. We hire creative, passionate people ready to contribute their ideas, help solve complex problems, and make an impact.

Benefits
●    Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
●    Flexible Spending Account - healthcare and dependent care
●    Health Savings Account - high deductible medical plan
●    Retirement 401(k) with employer match
●    Paid time off and holidays
●    Paid parental leave plans for all new parents
●    Leave benefits including disability, paid family medical leave, and paid military leave
●    Additional benefits including employee stock purchase plan, family planning reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, transportation expense account, employee assistance program, and more! 

Note: These benefits are only applicable to full time, permanent associates at Red Hat located in the United States. 

Inclusion at Red Hat
Red Hat’s culture is built on the open source principles of transparency, collaboration, and inclusion, where the best ideas can come from anywhere and anyone. When this is realized, it empowers people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to come together to share ideas, challenge the status quo, and drive innovation. Our aspiration is that everyone experiences this culture with equal opportunity and access, and that all voices are not only heard but also celebrated. We hope you will join our celebration, and we welcome and encourage applicants from all the beautiful dimensions that compose our global village.

Equal Opportunity Policy (EEO)
Red Hat is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. We review applications for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, veteran status, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Red Hat does not seek or accept unsolicited resumes or CVs from recruitment agencies. We are not responsible for, and will not pay, any fees, commissions, or any other payment related to unsolicited resumes or CVs except as required in a written contract between Red Hat and the recruitment agency or party requesting payment of a fee.

Red Hat supports individuals with disabilities and provides reasonable accommodations to job applicants. If you need assistance completing our online job application, email [email protected]. General inquiries, such as those regarding the status of a job application, will not receive a reply.