[throwaway2021]

No, I've contributed to the Linux kernel more than once and never received a job offer from Red Hat, SUSE or Canonical.

[evex]

I don't think "more than once" can get you a job, my goal was to contribute a LOT, like full-time for 3-6 months on issues that no one wants to work on so I actually impress.

[awaywopassd]

That is a lot of time to work for free. Why not get a regular job and convince your employer to let you contribute to Open Source project they use.

[evex]

"regular jobs" where I live, offer very bad compensation packages. I see a lot of remote companies offering good pay along with a good environment and good benefits.

[em-bee]

have you applied and were rejected?

[throwaway2021]

Yes.

[thiago_fm]

just study more algorithms

[hacknat]

Kernel development is actually one of the areas of programming where you do have to implement algorithms.

[jolmg]

You mean, if the reason for rejection was failing algorithm questions in the interview, which might not be the case.