Principal Software Engineer - Virtualization

Red Hat
Lowell, MA

About the Job:

The Red Hat Engineering teams are looking for Principal Software Engineers to join our Core Platforms Engineering group to work on Linux & Container technologies.

The work includes core kernel virtualization (KVM) system, firmware and device emulation for storage, memory and networking, its management layer and associated tools, as well as its counterpart aspects in the guest instance on top of Red Hat or third-party virtualized platforms as well as public clouds.

You will be responsible for all aspects of design, coding and quality, you will collaborate within an Agile Scrum team to design, develop, validate and support updates to existing features, as well as emerging functions in the Virtualization Stack space.

As a Principal Software Engineer, you will have the chance to work with some of the brightest engineers in the open source industry while acting as an advocate for our customers. We'll need you to have excellent technical and creative thinking skills, as well as the ability to act as a technical leader, as you'll be leading the development of innovative solutions to technical issues on a daily basis. This position is a great opportunity to make a difference in the Linux virtualization space while working on solutions used by thousands of people around the world.

What you will do:

  • Play a leading part in upstream and downstream projects related to virtualization.

  • Working in the Agile Scrum methodology,

    • take end-to-end ownership of specific areas including design in upstream development, downstream validation and packaging, L3 troubleshooting and support.

    • take shared responsibility around problem resolution, ongoing quality engineering, as well as handling vulnerabilities and other backports targeted at released versions.

    • Have a leading role in your team

  • Virtualization and Confidential computing ecosystem in Red Hat Enterprise Linux, including but not limited to Qemu, Libvirt, Attestation, Kata containers, Virt-Tools, testing frame works & suites.

What you will bring:

  • 7+ years of experience applying core languages such as C, Rust as preferred or Python to large, enterprise projects.

  • Proven track of Linux kernel upstream contributions, preferably with the focus on subsystems like memory management and iommu.

  • Proven ability to design and architect large, complex features at the Operating System level, as well as debug, troubleshoot and maintain those for enterprise customers.

  • Ability to use Containers and CI/CD technologies in authoring, building, and automating build and test pipelines.

  • Knowledge in the Linux Virtualization stack, KVM, QEMU, Libvirt and other virtualization technologies, Cloud or Kubernetes technologies.

  • Ability to leverage AI-assisted development and/or validation tools and techniques

  • Required Full English proficiency (verbal and written). Ability to work with globally distributed teams or communities.


The following are considered a plus:

  • Past experience collaborating with Open-Source communities like KVM, Qemu, Libvirt, Avocado

  • Familiarity with the live-migration of virtual machines on a technical level.

  • Familiarity with CPU architectures beyond x86.

  • Speaking opportunities at conferences, Blogs or articles published

  • Significant such contributions and evidence around leadership

#LI-EK1

The salary range for this position is $174,190.00 - $287,410.00. 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.

Posted 2026-05-18

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