Linux Kernel Platform Engineer

Team Focus:

• Kaarthik leads a team in Cisco s Data Center product line, focused on developing DPU-based switches and modular/end-of-rack systems.
• His team operates at the platform layer, handling Linux OS, kernel, and low-level system software this is not a networking role.

• Actively hiring two on-shore Linux Platform Engineers.
• Candidates must be based in Bangalore and should be available to work on-site at least twice a week initially. Hybrid flexibility may be available after onboarding.
• The team is short-staffed and needs individuals who can contribute immediately.

• Platform bring-up for next-gen hardware (DPU/modular switches)
• Coding and unit testing in C
• Light automation scripting using Python
• Documentation of system behavior and implementation
• Deep work on OS internals and kernel-level components
• Support release processes by ensuring a stable, well-integrated platform layer

• Strong proficiency in Linux kernel/OS development
• Expertise in C programming
• Solid understanding of system architecture and OS-level design
• Basic experience with Python for automation tasks
• Experience in platform bring-up or low-level embedded environments
• No networking experience required

• The role has been open for a few weeks.
• Kaarthik has seen a pattern of candidates overstating their experience many are unable to explain their past work in detail during interviews.
• He is specifically looking for hands-on, technically solid engineers who can clearly articulate their contributions and have real-world experience, not just surface-level knowledge.