Ask HN: How do I find a job that involves Windows kernel development?

15 points by moccajoghurt 8 years ago | 5 comments

Hi all!

I am from Germany and I am going to finish my master's degree in computer sciences in about a year.

I've developed Windows drivers in my free time and in a team project in the university.

I also plan to focus my master's thesis on Windows kernel development.

However, I have looked for jobs in that area and it's hard to find them.

Did I pick a wrong field and should try to focus on other stuff? I really enjoy it though and it would be sad if all the knowledge I gathered in that field will be lost.

Do you have advice?

Thanks!

ajarmst 8 years ago |

I'd expect all Windows kernel development jobs would be at Microsoft. Driver development jobs would often be at hardware companies. However, I think you're looking for too narrow a subfield---search instead for jobs in areas like OS, driver development and embedded development, which is burgeoning now because of IOT hype. You might also expand your search into programming jobs advertising for computer engineers. CompEng folks tend to work closer to the metal.

peteevans 8 years ago |

Too narrow a specialisation as evidenced by the difficulty in finding jobs. However, if it's something you enjoy then stick with it and add complementary skills. Add in linux kernel/driver development (double up and you can volunteer) and something complementary such as security. You may also want to brush up on things like biometrics and the hardware part (i.e. electronic engineering) to bridge out into a wider space.

atmosx 8 years ago |

I guess 90% of Windows kernel developers learn on the job. So if you know the drill, you should be a step ahead of the competition in this space, hence cold-mailing recruiters is the best strategy IMO.

I would try MS first, then major MS partners who ship software for based on Windows, which is a market as big as any.

billconan 8 years ago |

you can apply a microsoft internship first.

I do device driver development as my day job. boring boring stuff. I wanna out.

zhte415 8 years ago |

Government agencies.

Large investment banks in security or information security.