Red Hat Software Maintenance Engineer Jobs 2026 | Linux | Pune

Red Hat is hiring a Software Maintenance Engineer for its Experience Engineering (XE) team in Pune, Maharashtra. This is a full-time, hybrid opportunity for experienced Linux professionals who are passionate about open-source development, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), and enterprise-grade software quality.

The role focuses on maintaining and enhancing stable update streams of RHEL, including kernel and userspace components, while ensuring the highest standards of security, performance, and reliability.

Quick Job Overview – Software Maintenance Engineer at Red Hat

Job Details

Education & Eligible Batches

About the Company – Red Hat

Red Hat is the world’s leading provider of enterprise open-source software, delivering Linux, cloud, container, and Kubernetes technologies to organizations across 40+ countries. Red Hat’s community-powered approach encourages transparency, collaboration, and innovation, enabling teams to solve complex problems at scale.

Red Hat fosters an inclusive culture where engineers are empowered to contribute ideas regardless of role or tenure, making it a global leader in open-source innovation.

Role Overview – Software Maintenance Engineer

As a Software Maintenance Engineer, you will work on maintaining and improving Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) stable releases. Your responsibilities include backporting fixes, validating patches, running tests, and collaborating with multiple engineering teams to deliver secure and reliable updates to enterprise customers.

This role provides deep exposure to Linux internals, kernel and userspace components, secure coding practices, and large-scale enterprise systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and deliver updates for RHEL stable release streams
• Backport security patches and bug fixes from upstream projects
• Track upstream patches and manage backport workflows
• Configure test environments and validate fixes
• Develop and enhance automated test frameworks
• Troubleshoot issues in older stable streams
• Collaborate with product, quality, release, and program management teams
• Participate in engineering discussions and planning meetings
• Ensure enterprise-grade quality, performance, and supportability

Required Skills & Qualifications

Technical Skills

• 2+ years experience in software or quality engineering
• Strong knowledge of Linux systems and internals
• Proficiency in C / C++ and familiarity with Python, Ruby, or Bash
• Experience working with Git (cherry-picking, rebasing, merging)
• Understanding of secure coding and software maintenance practices
• Experience with testing frameworks and automation tools

Professional Skills

• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills
• Ability to collaborate in globally distributed teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Passion for open-source development
• Ability to work independently and manage complex tasks

Why Join Red Hat?

• Work with the world’s leading open-source enterprise software company
• Contribute directly to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
• Hybrid and flexible work environment
• Strong open-source culture with global collaboration
• Opportunity to contribute to upstream Linux projects
• Inclusive workplace that values diversity and innovation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Red Hat Software Maintenance Engineer

1. Who can apply for the Software Maintenance Engineer role at Red Hat?
Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related fields and 2+ years of Linux or software engineering experience can apply.

2. Is this role suitable for freshers?
No. This role requires prior professional experience and is not suitable for freshers.

3. What is the job location?
The job location is Pune, Maharashtra, with a hybrid work model.

4. Is this a full-time role?
Yes. This is a full-time permanent position at Red Hat.

5. What technologies will I work with?
You will work extensively with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), Linux kernel and userspace components, C/C++, Python, Bash, and Git.

6. Is open-source experience mandatory?
Open-source experience is not mandatory but is a strong advantage, especially contributions to Linux or upstream projects.

7. Will I work on security updates?
Yes. The role includes backporting security patches and ensuring secure coding standards.

8. What career growth opportunities are available at Red Hat?
With experience, you can grow into roles such as Senior Software Engineer, Principal Engineer, Linux Platform Specialist, or Open-Source Architect.

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