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Low Level Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Parallel Systems

Senior Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

$132K - $174K/yr

Senior Software Engineer Parallel Systems is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to design, build ... Proficiency with Linux environments, low-level system interactions, and memory management. * Strong ...

Apple

Software Engineer - Camera

Cupertino, CA · On-site

In this role, you'll work at the intersection of hardware and software - building the low-level ... We give our engineers meaningful ownership and autonomy, with direct impact on how Apple designs ...

Waymo

Sr Software Engineer, Telematics

Mountain View, CA

$144K - $190K/yr

Waymo Onboard Infrastructure is responsible for low-level software and infrastructure on various ... Work on a small team of System Software and Linux Kernel Engineers to design, develop, and deploy ...

Fortinet

Embedded Software Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$96K - $118K/yr

Develop and enhance low-level software components, including device drivers, kernel modules, and ... Strong proficiency in C and/or C++ programming. * Experience with embedded Linux systems and low ...

Leidos

Software Engineer

La Jolla, CA · On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

In this role, the Software Engineer will develop and maintain APIs written in Python and MATLAB ... Integrating low-level software with a user-facing GUI * Developing Hardware-in-the-loop (HITL ...

Fortinet, Inc.

Embedded Software Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$96K - $118K/yr

Develop and enhance low-level software components, including device drivers, kernel modules, and ... Strong proficiency in C and/or C++ programming. * Experience with embedded Linux systems and low ...

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Low Level Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$62.7K

$145.6K

$202.8K

How much do low level software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for low level software engineer in California is $145,592.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,400.00 and $170,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Low Level Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Low Level Software Engineer, you need strong proficiency in C/C++ programming, computer architecture, and operating system fundamentals, often supported by a degree in computer science or related fields. Experience with debugging tools, embedded systems, version control systems like Git, and knowledge of hardware interfaces are typically required. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective problem-solving are vital soft skills that set top engineers apart. These skills are crucial for developing efficient, reliable, and secure software that interacts closely with hardware and underpins critical system functionality.

What are Low Level Software Engineers?

Low Level Software Engineers are professionals who specialize in programming close to the hardware, often working with firmware, device drivers, operating systems, and embedded systems. They use languages like C, C++, or assembly to interact directly with hardware components, optimizing performance and ensuring efficient resource management. Their work is essential for enabling communication between software applications and physical devices. These engineers are crucial in industries such as automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, and telecommunications.

What are some common challenges faced by Low Level Software Engineers in their daily work?

Low Level Software Engineers often encounter challenges such as debugging complex hardware-software interactions, optimizing code for performance and memory constraints, and ensuring compatibility across various hardware platforms. They work closely with hardware engineers and embedded systems teams, requiring strong communication and problem-solving skills. Additionally, staying updated on evolving hardware architectures and toolchains is essential for successful development and maintenance of low-level systems.

Software Engineer - Windows Internals - Fully Remote

Westlight AI

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

Job Summary

At Westlight, we build products that help companies and governments to provide an extra layer of security for their infrastructure. We work with the internals of different operating systems to provide a framework that brings a completely new level of security and control.

We are looking for a Windows software engineer who has enough autonomy to lead the implementation of features related to kernel-mode drivers and integrate those features with other I/O subsystems. The ideal candidate will have prior experience writing Windows security software, e.g. anti-malware scanners or other low-level software.

This position offers significant opportunities for career development. Westlight's core team comprises of Stanford and MIT PhDs with expertise in AI, cybersecurity, CI/CD, and large-scale software systems. In this position, one will have opportunities to expand into these areas based on interest and expertise developed while working at Westlight.

Westlight is a fully remote company and this position can be held anywhere in the US. Since we work closely with the US Air Force, we require all applicants to be US Citizens and located in the US.

What we are looking for
  • Strong skills in Windows / C# desktop development
  • Comprehensive understanding of C and low-level memory management
  • Advanced use of debugging tools, e.g. WinDbg, KD, CDB, NTSD
  • Prior experience with Windows security software development, e.g. anti-malware scanners
  • Intermediate knowledge on networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, UDP, and common application protocols, e.g. HTTP, SSH, etc.)
  • Basic knowledge on Public-key cryptography fundamentals
    • Beginner knowledge on elliptic curve cryptography is a plus
  • Strong interpersonal skills and someone who thrives in a cooperative team environment
Technologies
  • Operating Systems: Windows 10 and Server
  • Programming languages: C#, C++, and C
    • Knowledge of Ruby on Rails and AWS also will be helpful
  • CI/CD Tools: Gitlab CI
Responsibilities

As a Software Engineer, you will work on Westlight product development:

  • Develop Westlight Windows kernel-level software
  • Integrate kernel-level software with other subsystems, such as I/O
  • Work together with the company leadership to define the Westlight Windows experience