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Distributed Systems Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Staff Distributed Systems Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$122K - $167K/yr

We are looking for a deeply hands-on Senior Staff Distributed Systems Engineer to join the team building IonQ's Network and Security Platform. You will own the backend services - ingestion pipelines ...

OR

$499K - $820K/yr

Our Team The Ads Serving Platform engineering team sits within the Ad Serving & Decisioning org at Netflix Ads. We own the high-throughput, low-latency distributed systems that power real-time ad ...

Software Engineer, Distributed Systems

$177K - $209K/yr

Required : • 5+ years of Software Engineering experience, specifically in backend or infrastructure engineering. • Deep understanding of distributed systems concepts such as sharding, replication ...

Mid-Level Systems Engineer

Dayton, OH · On-site

$130K - $185K/yr

S. Government Security Clearance Experience: 3-8 years of experience in systems engineering, distributed systems, or complex software platforms Bachelor's degree in: * * Systems Engineering

Systems Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$180K - $250K/yr

About Unto Labs Unto Labs is a team of low-level engineers pushing distributed systems to the physical limits of modern hardware. We're reimagining blockchains, from core consensus primitives to ...

Systems Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$155K - $205K/yr

Architect and manage distributed systems for efficient resource utilization across heterogeneous ... Strong systems programming skills in one or more of: C++, Rust, Go, Python. * Solid understanding ...

Showing results 41-60

Distributed Systems Engineer information

See salary details

$53.5K

$127.2K

$167K

How much do distributed systems engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for distributed systems engineer in the United States is $127,215.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,000.00 and $157,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Distributed Systems Engineer?

A Distributed Systems Engineer typically spends their days designing, implementing, and testing scalable systems that handle large volumes of data and user requests. You'll collaborate closely with software developers, DevOps engineers, and product managers to architect solutions that ensure reliability, performance, and fault-tolerance. Regular tasks may include reviewing system performance metrics, debugging distributed applications, writing detailed documentation, and participating in code reviews. Engaging in team meetings and cross-functional discussions is also common, as seamless cooperation is vital in this complex and fast-evolving field.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior distributed systems engineers, software engineers with expertise in scalable architectures, and those working in high-demand industries such as cloud computing or finance can earn $300,000 or more annually. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills in distributed computing, and often working in senior or specialized roles at large technology companies.

What engineers make 200,000 a year?

Distributed Systems Engineers can earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills in cloud computing, distributed architecture, and proficiency in programming languages like Java or Go. Salaries vary based on location, company size, and expertise, with senior roles often reaching or exceeding this level.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Distributed Systems Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Distributed Systems Engineer, you need a strong background in computer science, experience with large-scale system design, and proficiency in languages such as Java, Go, or Python. Familiarity with cloud platforms (like AWS, GCP, or Azure), container orchestration tools (such as Kubernetes), and distributed databases is commonly required, and certifications in cloud computing can be advantageous. Strong problem-solving abilities, collaboration, and excellent communication skills help you navigate complex issues and work effectively across technical teams. These skills are fundamental for designing, implementing, and maintaining robust distributed systems that perform reliably at scale.

What does a distributed systems engineer do?

A distributed systems engineer designs, develops, and maintains systems that run across multiple computers or servers to ensure scalability, reliability, and performance. They work with technologies such as cloud platforms, networking, and programming languages like Java or Python, often focusing on fault tolerance and data consistency. Strong problem-solving skills and knowledge of system architecture are essential for this role.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in high-demand fields such as software engineering, especially those specializing in distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, or machine learning, can earn $500,000 or more annually. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills, and often includes bonuses, stock options, or other compensation components.

What does a Distributed Systems Engineer do?

A Distributed Systems Engineer designs, builds, and maintains large-scale systems that run across multiple machines or data centers. They ensure reliability, scalability, and fault tolerance by using technologies like cloud computing, containerization, and distributed databases. Their work often involves solving complex problems related to data consistency, network latency, and system coordination.

More about Distributed Systems Engineer jobs
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Infographic showing various Distributed Systems Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 60% In-person, and 40% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,215 per year, or $61.2 per hour.

Distributed Systems Engineer with Security Clearance

Variable Constant

Reston, VA • On-site

Other

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Distributed Systems Engineer
Build authorization and data processing systems at massive scale for the Department of
Defense. Design distributed architectures handling complex access control policies
supporting tens of thousands of concurrent users, high-volume data pipelines, sophisticated
data governance requirements, workflow orchestration engines, robotic process
automation, and AI prompt engineering systems. Architect distributed caching strategies, implement event-driven data processing, build
high-performance policy evaluation engines, and solve algorithmic challenges around
efficient authorization and data access at scale. Work on distributed consensus problems,
cache consistency, ETL optimization, workflow state management, and real-time
monitoring of complex data flows. Design elegant algorithms for policy evaluation, optimize critical processing paths,
implement sophisticated caching and data governance strategies. Handle data lineage
tracking, audit trail generation, compliance validation across distributed systems, and
orchestration of complex automated workflows. Develop AI prompt engineering solutions
that dynamically answer questions across distributed, classified data sources.
Computer science theory meets real-world constraints. Constantly tackle new challenges -
always learning and pushing boundaries with a team that gets things done. Required: Active TS/SCI with CI Poly, 5+ years distributed systems, experience building
scalable systems supporting tens of thousands of concurrent users, data processing,
algorithm design, DoD experience. Bonus: Event streaming platforms, data governance,
performance optimization, workflow engines, AI/ML systems.
Location: Reston, VA or JBAB (on-site) About VARIABLECONSTANT LLC
VARIABLECONSTANT LLC specializes in advanced hardware and software solutions for the
Department of Defense. We're a small, agile company known by reputation for tackling the
hard problems others can't solve. No bureaucracy, no trade shows - we move fast and ship
solutions that directly support national security missions. You'll work on sophisticated authorization systems, high-performance data processing,
advanced encryption, distributed architectures at massive scale, workflow automation,
robotic process automation, and AI-driven solutions. Real technical challenges with real
impact.