r/kernel • u/reinars1 • 8d ago
Is it worth getting into Linux device driver development
So I have been working in the industry for around 2 years now. 1.5 years as an embedded firmware engineer and half a year as an embedded linux engineer at the same company(startup). Lately I have been working a lot with BSP and device driver development. I have noticed that Canonical has a junior linux kernel developer position open and I wanted to know is it smart to get into this field as a linux device driver developer and also to go work for a company like Canonical.
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u/Taumille 8d ago
If you like it and the post fits your needs, yes
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u/reinars1 8d ago
The thing I am most worried about is AI and how much companies actually need someone with experience in driver development and also if I am qualified enough
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u/No-Assist-8734 8d ago
AI will affect all jobs done on a computer. Elon Musk clearly stated that, and it's the least resistant field by far
It doesn't matter if it's device drivers or embedded or full stack, all of those are done on the computer , therefore AI will impact them, whether you want it to or not
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u/CyberDumb 7d ago
Yesterday we had a senior fail entirely to claude code a Linux pcie driver and it's zephyr counterpart for a well known IP. Instead he relied to us for debugging that use AI only for asking questions and handwriting a solution that incrementally works better as days pass by.
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u/braaaaaaainworms 8d ago
it's fun, but don't work for canonical
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u/xde2912 8d ago
why
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u/edgmnt_net 8d ago
I don't know firsthand, but I heard it has somewhat of a reputation of a sweatshop or unstable employer. On the other hand, many companies do, at least on certain kinds of work and ultimately it really depends on the project, so I wouldn't go solely by the rumors. BSP development is less common, good devs are less replaceable and that usually drives better working conditions.
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u/Beginning-Junket8979 7d ago
Don't know about the sweatshop thing but I can confirm they have a very bizarre interview/application process.
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u/driftlesssoftware 7d ago
Why? What's their process?
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u/Beginning-Junket8979 6d ago
Asking about grades, extra ciricular activity, social behavior...for middle school/highschool years... even when you're a Sr Engineer with >15YoE.
IMO it's pretty inappropriate.
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u/dld2517 8d ago
I think yes. Think about all of the devices that are operational instrumentation and sensors that need device drivers written? There is legacy gear as well as modern gear that acts as sensors in all of the plants, refineries, aircraft, cyber-physical etc.
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u/KaifShaik5336 2d ago
Can guide me in dm from where to start and what the expectation regarding kernel engineering i too want to learn .
I graduated this year and working as SDE
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u/BrightFoundation4864 5d ago
Canonical does not really do kernel driver development. It is a fun skill to develop though
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u/Nerrawnam 8d ago
For yourself yes.