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- Tasks: Join our team to optimise Linux kernel performance and develop innovative tooling.
- Company: Bloomberg is a leading global financial services firm known for its cutting-edge technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy opportunities for open-source contributions, collaboration, and working with modern tools.
- Why this job: Make an impact on mission-critical systems while enhancing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Deep Linux kernel knowledge and experience in system performance tuning are essential.
- Other info: Ideal for tech enthusiasts eager to bridge application development and OS performance.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Senior Linux Kernel Engineer
Location
London
Business Area
Engineering and CTO
Ref #
10044301
Description & Requirements
Our Team:
The Managed Systems Integration Engineering (MSIE) group is responsible for provisioning, configuring, and maintaining the majority of Bloomberg's production fleet throughout its lifecycle, and the group uses an infrastructure-as-code approach in conjunction with open-source tools to ensure a scalable and reliable environment in which to operate.
Within MSIE, the Systems Internals team is responsible for kernel-space performance and configuration standards, developing tooling for networking stack functionality, and providing engineering leadership for how best to optimize the interaction between applications and OS interfaces. The team is composed of a set of engineers with expertise in eBPF and/or the Linux kernel and acts as a bridge between application development teams and the lower-level components of the OS by assisting with application performance profiling, benchmarking and certifying production-readiness of new OS releases and patches, and advising on how best to consume system resources.
What's in it for you:
You'll work with modern, open-source tooling while maintaining mission-critical systems hosting a wide array of applications for the Bloomberg Terminal product. You will regularly collaborate with other OS and service-owning teams to maintain the stability and performance of operating systems and servers. We'll depend on you to advise on the design, architecture, and utilization of enterprise-class operating systems, with particular focus on Linux. You will have the opportunity to work on developing performance tooling while testing the latest kernels and their features. You will also have the opportunity to contribute back to the open-source community; it is a rewarding experience you can explore with us.
We'll expect you to:
- Build and evolve eBPF-based tools to enhance observability of the network and other operating system layers
- Improve Bloomberg's internal Linux kernel regression testing framework
- Contribute to upstream Linux kernel development and enhancement requests
- Investigate and resolve complex kernel and network performance issues in partnership with application teams
- Develop tools that improve telemetry and deepen visibility into application behavior under various system loads
- Create internal documentation to support knowledge sharing and engineering best practices
You'll need to have:
- Deep understanding of the Linux kernel including the virtual memory, VFS, IPC, network, and process scheduling subsystems
- Proven experience in system performance tuning-balancing low latency vs. throughput, NUMA optimization, and hardware/BIOS configuration
- Ability to create robust testing and certification processes to comprehensively evaluate the impact of hardware changes, tunables, and system software updates to the Bloomberg application stack
- Proficiency in reading and debugging C source code to troubleshoot kernel-space issues
- Eagerness to work with a group, share knowledge, and contribute to team goals
- A Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or related technical field, or equivalent work experience
We would love to see:
- Experience working with and developing in the Linux kernel, either using eBPF, as a kernel developer, or building low level programs in C
- Experience programming in Rust or Python
- Experience with applying formalized performance analysis methodologies such as the USE Method to address complex problems
- Familiarity with one or more of the following technologies is preferred: Chef, SaltStack, Jenkins, and Ansible
Senior Engineer employer: Bloomberg
Contact Detail:
Bloomberg Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with eBPF and the Linux kernel. Since the role focuses heavily on these areas, having a solid understanding will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the Linux kernel community. Attend meetups or online forums to connect with others who work in this space. This can provide insights into current trends and challenges, which you can discuss in your interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase any contributions you've made to open-source projects, especially those related to the Linux kernel or eBPF. This not only highlights your skills but also demonstrates your commitment to the community and continuous learning.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss specific performance tuning experiences you've had. Be ready to explain how you balanced latency and throughput in past projects, as this is a key aspect of the role that interviewers will be keen to explore.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with the Linux kernel, eBPF, and system performance tuning. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills in these areas to align with the job requirements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for open-source development and your eagerness to contribute to the Linux community. Mention any relevant projects or experiences that relate directly to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Technical Skills: In your application, emphasise your proficiency in C, Rust, or Python, and any experience you have with tools like Chef, SaltStack, Jenkins, or Ansible. This will help demonstrate your technical capabilities to the hiring team.
Highlight Team Collaboration: Since the role involves working closely with other teams, include examples of past collaborative projects. Discuss how you contributed to team goals and shared knowledge, as this aligns with the company's values.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bloomberg
✨Showcase Your Linux Kernel Knowledge
Make sure to brush up on your understanding of the Linux kernel, especially subsystems like virtual memory and process scheduling. Be prepared to discuss specific experiences where you've optimised performance or resolved kernel issues.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of complex kernel and network performance issues you've tackled in the past. Highlight your approach to troubleshooting and how you collaborated with application teams to find solutions.
✨Familiarise Yourself with eBPF
Since the role involves building eBPF-based tools, it’s crucial to understand its applications. Be ready to discuss any relevant projects or experiences where you've used eBPF to enhance observability or performance.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your knowledge of system performance tuning and debugging C source code. Practise explaining your thought process clearly, as communication is key in a collaborative environment.
