Linux Jobs in Seattle
Seattle is home to two of the world's largest Linux employers: Amazon Web Services and Microsoft. AWS runs the world's largest fleet of Linux servers and is a major contributor to the Linux kernel and the broader open-source ecosystem. Microsoft's Linux Systems Group, which develops the Linux kernel subsystems used across Azure, is based in Redmond just east of Seattle. The result is an exceptionally deep Linux job market with demand at every level from kernel internals to cloud platform engineering.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Amazon Web Services is by far the largest Linux employer in Seattle, with roles spanning kernel development, cloud infrastructure, SRE, and distributed systems. Microsoft's Redmond campus (adjacent to Seattle) employs a large Linux Systems Group that works on Azure's Linux kernel, WSL, and open-source contributions. T-Mobile (headquartered in Bellevue), Expedia, and a growing number of AI and cloud-native startups round out the market.
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Linux engineers in Seattle typically earn $140,000–$200,000 in base salary. Total compensation at Amazon or Microsoft including stock (RSUs) frequently reaches $250,000–$400,000 for senior engineers. Washington State has no income tax, which meaningfully increases take-home pay relative to California-based roles of equivalent base salary.
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Yes, Seattle has a unusually high concentration of kernel engineering roles. AWS employs kernel engineers working on the Nitro hypervisor, Bottlerocket OS, and upstream kernel contributions. Microsoft's Linux Systems Group maintains kernel patches for Azure infrastructure and WSL. Other Seattle-area companies including NVIDIA (Redmond office) also hire kernel and driver engineers.
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Yes. While AWS is the most prominent source of Linux roles, Amazon's Devices & Services organisation (Kindle, Echo, Fire TV) hires embedded Linux engineers. Amazon Robotics uses Linux extensively in warehouse automation. Amazon's supply chain and logistics technology teams also run Linux infrastructure. Search for roles at Amazon's various divisions using LinuxCareers' filters.