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Linux System Programmer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SolGenie

DevOps Linux System Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

We are seeking an experienced DevOps Linux System Engineer for an onsite role , please find the job descrpition below. Job Title: DevOps Linux System Engineer Location: Onsite - California, USA ...

Leidos

Linux System Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$73K - $132K/yr

Description Leidos is seeking an experienced Linux Systems Engineer to provide support to a mission critical enterprise identity and access management system. A successful candidate will develop an ...

Leidos

Linux System Engineer

Springfield, VA · On-site

$73K - $132K/yr

Description Leidos is seeking an experienced Linux Systems Engineer to provide support to a mission critical enterprise identity and access management system. A successful candidate will develop an ...

Leidos

Linux System Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$73K - $132K/yr

Description Leidos is seeking an experienced Linux Systems Engineer to provide support to a mission critical enterprise identity and access management system. A successful candidate will develop an ...

Entarian

Linux System Administrator

College Park, MD · On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

... system design, development, fielding, and sustainment of global NOAA IT needs. Position is on-site ... The Software Engineer II (Linux Administrator) must be able to support the following ...

Leidos

Linux System Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$73K - $132K/yr

Description Leidos is seeking an experienced Linux Systems Engineer to provide support to a mission critical enterprise identity and access management system. A successful candidate will develop an ...

Entarian

Linux System Administrator

College Park, MD · On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

... system design, development, fielding, and sustainment of global NOAA IT needs. Position is on-site ... The Software Engineer II (Linux Administrator) must be able to support the following ...

Leidos

Linux System Engineer

Aldie, VA · On-site

$73K - $132K/yr

Description Leidos is seeking an experienced Linux Systems Engineer to provide support to a mission critical enterprise identity and access management system. A successful candidate will develop an ...

Leidos

Linux System Engineer

Merrifield, VA · On-site

$73K - $132K/yr

Description Leidos is seeking an experienced Linux Systems Engineer to provide support to a mission critical enterprise identity and access management system. A successful candidate will develop an ...

Leidos

Linux System Engineer

Burke, VA · On-site

$73K - $132K/yr

Description Leidos is seeking an experienced Linux Systems Engineer to provide support to a mission critical enterprise identity and access management system. A successful candidate will develop an ...

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Linux System Programmer information

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$17

$49

$81

How much do linux system programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for linux system programmer in the United States is $49.75, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36.06 and $62.26 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Linux System Programmer?

A Linux System Programmer is a software developer who specializes in designing, developing, and maintaining system-level software that interacts directly with the Linux operating system. They work on operating system kernels, device drivers, system utilities, and other low-level components essential for hardware and application software to function efficiently on Linux platforms. Their work often involves using programming languages like C and C++, understanding Linux internals, and optimizing performance and security at the system level.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Linux System Programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Linux System Programmer, you need a deep understanding of C/C++ programming, operating system concepts, and Linux internals, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with tools like GCC, GDB, Make, Git, and experience with kernel modules or system calls are commonly required, and certifications such as the Linux Foundation Certified Engineer can be beneficial. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively make someone stand out in this role. These abilities are essential for developing reliable, efficient system software and ensuring robust, secure Linux environments.

What is the difference between Linux System Programmer vs Linux Kernel Developer?

AspectLinux System ProgrammerLinux Kernel Developer
CredentialsProficiency in C, Linux OS, and system APIsDeep knowledge of kernel architecture, C, and debugging tools
Work EnvironmentDevelops system-level applications, interacts with hardware and OSWorks on kernel code, modules, and core OS functionalities
Industry UsageEmbedded systems, device drivers, system utilitiesKernel development, OS internals, driver development
Search/Comparison IntentFocuses on system programming tasks and application developmentFocuses on kernel internals and core OS modifications

The main difference is that Linux System Programmers develop system-level applications and utilities that run on Linux, while Linux Kernel Developers work on the core kernel code itself. Both roles require strong C skills and Linux knowledge, but Kernel Developers focus more on internal OS architecture, whereas System Programmers build on top of the kernel to create functional software.

How does a Linux System Programmer typically collaborate with other teams during the software development lifecycle?

Linux System Programmers frequently work alongside software engineers, DevOps teams, and QA specialists to design, implement, and optimize system-level components. Collaboration often involves reviewing kernel patches, troubleshooting low-level bugs, and ensuring system stability across different environments. Effective communication is crucial, as programmers must translate complex technical issues for non-specialist teams and work together to integrate new features or improvements. Participating in code reviews and contributing to technical documentation are also routine parts of the job.
More about Linux System Programmer jobs
What states have the most Linux System Programmer jobs? States with the most job openings for Linux System Programmer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Linux System Programmer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Linux System Programmer jobs are:
Linux System Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Linux System Programmer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 1% Internship, 17% Full Time, and 81% Part Time. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,470 per year, or $49.7 per hour.

TS/SCI - LINUX SYSTEM ENGINEER

Bailey Information Technology, LLC

Chantilly, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Position: Linux System Engineer
Location: Chantilly, VA
Clearance: TS, SCI/Poly eligible
Certifications: Current Security+ before start
Level: T3
Job Description:
BIT, LLC is recruiting for experienced Linux Systems Engineer to provide support to a mission critical enterprise identity and access management system. A successful candidate will develop an understanding of the services offered to external organizations, provide lifecycle systems engineering support to development and operations on the program, and use a combination of technical and functional expertise to recommend solutions to satisfy customer requirements.  Responsibilities:
  • Design, develop, and support cloud initiatives to support customer driven needs
  • Communicate and mitigate operational issues as received. Work to proactively identify RCA of baseline issues and establish a feedback loop to development.
  • Work as a SME to review user metrics, system health, overall performance checkouts and implements proactive measures to support operational availability
  • Responsible for deployment support as a product SME. Provide backfill tasking and troubleshooting script/playbook based automation processes as necessary.
  • Manage several environments as a Linux SME providing overall support to the program and working with Enterprise Services to ensure compliance with security services and applications.
Requirements/Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or related discipline plus 4-6 years of professional experience as a Systems Administrator or similar technical role.
  • Proactive self-starter demonstrating a positive, willing attitude and excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Two or more years of experience with Amazon Web Services (S3 Buckets, EC2, Reserved Instances, etc.)
  • Familiar with System Engineering documentation creation (network diagrams, data flows, etc.)
  • Experience working with Agile Team Collaboration tools  such as (Jira, Confluence, BitBucket)
  • Strong Linux background and familiarity with best practices of infrastructure management
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Oracle COTS product experience (Oracle Access Manager, Oracle Unified Directory, etc.)
  • Experience with Kubernetes
  • Experience with Elastic tools (ElasticSearch, Kibana, Logstash)
  • Experience with AWS and other cloud vendors.
  • Experience with Amazon Web Services technical performance versus cost management
  • Experience with cloud-based architectures
  • Familiar with cross domain architectures at various levels
  • Experience with automated testing and monitoring
  • Experience with Engineering Review Boards and Change Management

Clearance Requirements*
Requires an active Top Secret security clearance upon hire and must meet SCI eligibility. Must be willing and able to obtain a polygraph within the customer’s timeline after hire. Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.