OpenZFS Developer

Klara provides open source development services with a focus on FreeBSD, ZFS, and Arm. Our mission is to advance technology through community-driven development while maintaining the ethics and creativity of open source. We help customers standardize and accelerate platforms built on FreeBSD and ZFS, combining internal expertise with active participation in the community.

About The Role – OpenZFS Developer

As an OpenZFS Developer reporting to the ZFS Engineering Manager, you’ll join a cross-functional team enhancing the OpenZFS file system. This includes designing and implementing new features, resolving complex bugs and performance issues, and contributing upstream across multiple operating systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop OpenZFS features as part of a remote, global team
• Own the full lifecycle: design, implementation, review, upstreaming, and maintenance
• Analyze and resolve ZFS performance issues
• Collaborate with the community on patch submission and feedback
• Participate in monthly upstream developer meetings
• Work across Linux, FreeBSD, and illumos platforms
• Translate technical requirements into high-level design and documentation

• Strong C programming and data structure fundamentals
• Proficiency with Git and source control workflows
• Understanding of ZFS internals (SPL, DMU, vdevs, etc.)
• Experience with VFS and OS-level file system design
• Knowledge of OS concepts: threading, locking, IPC, lifecycle management
• Proven ability to deliver on schedule
• Strong communication and documentation skills
• Experience with customers or end-user interaction
• Prior open source contributions; kernel development experience is a plus