He's talking about contract work, for which the quoted sum is reasonable.

Depends on job level. For a senior SDE maybe. For principal definately. Actual kernel/embedded systems/driver develoment in Seattle Dresden and Cape Town off the too of my head. https://www.amazon.jobs/en-gb/search?base_query=linux+Kernel

An employee costs much more than just the salary he receives at the end of the month.