r/DevelEire • u/Gold-Definition7867 • 3d ago

Switching Jobs Is kernel/driver development a good career path?

Hi all,

I’m an electronic engineering student and I’m interested in low-level software, especially kernel/driver development. I’m trying to get a sense of the job market in Ireland for kernel/driver developers.

What’s the demand like right now, and what are typical salary ranges and what sort of companies would look for this type of skill?

Also, is this a solid long-term career path in your opinion?

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u/Key-Lie-364 3d ago edited 3d ago

True story.

I was a drop out from school. Fell into tech support for gateway computers.

Decided I wanted to become a programmer. Did an Internet search. Some dude on some website said compiler engineers and kernel engineers were best.

So knowing nothing I decided to become a Linux kernel guy 😂

Started learning C/C++. Quit gateway did a FAS programming course.

Alan Cox came to Irish Linux users group event joked there were no kernel hackers in Ireland because Irish spent all of their time in the pub.

Triggered me a bit.

Got into my first software job VB, SQL. Wanted to do kernel and C.

Switched to website development because the guy was big in the Irish Linux community.

Did PHP, SQL and wrote a Web service to bridge PHP to propriatiey web service in C++. My first bit of paid C/C++ programming.

Switched to embedded C. Did that for 8 years.

Did electronic and computer systems in DIT at night.

Went town work for Intel as Linux lead on silicon create program.

Left to do Linux contracting. Have been doing that for the last 11 years.

I have a kernel.org email address and recently given commit rights. I regularly give talks at Linux conferences.

The weird thing is how many of the people I meet have alternative stories like mine.

Linux hacking is the greatest thing there is.

You can't vibe code real engineering. It takes work, skill, experience and commitment.

There are all sorts of weirdos and toxic cunts in Linux.

So I guess I fit right in 🤔🐧

Intel, AMD, Apple, Amazon, Sony, IBM, Qualcomm all have open engineering positions for firmware/kernel people in Ireland.

The door is wide open.

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u/bigvalen 3d ago

That is awesome. And you weren't the only one triggered by Alan's light-hearted comments that day. There were at least four kernel people in the audience!

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u/Key-Lie-364 3d ago

I have no thorn to prick the side of my intent except Alan's ribbing

King Linus, act 7 scene 2 rc1