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On Call Operating System Developer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Lenovo

Operating System Design Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$178K - $211K/yr

Required : • 12+ years of hands-on engineering experience in OS level software, system design ... operating systems. • Proficiency in C/C++ for embedded and system-level development and ...

Bactech

System Administrator

Rolling Meadows, IL · On-site

... operating system security management, installation, configuration, upgrade of a multi-platform ... Function as a member of the team responsible for the day-to-day, 24x7x365 on-call system ...

Bactech

System Administrator

Rolling Meadows, IL · On-site

... operating system security management, installation, configuration, upgrade of a multi-platform ... 24x7x365 on-call system administration, and touch labor operations. To be considered for this ...

Diverse Lynx

Linux System Engineer

Addison, IL

$60 - $70/hr

Plano, TX/Hybrid Linux System Engineer Experience Required - 10+ Yrs Responsibilities: * Install ... Apply patches and upgrades to operating systems and system components. * Troubleshoot system ...

Humana

Senior Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL · Remote

$107K - $147K/yr

Includes operating systems, device drivers, utilities, and software; development tools (e.g., assemblers, compilers, etc.). The Senior Systems Engineer work assignments involve moderately complex to ...

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Humana

Senior Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL · Remote

$107K - $147K/yr

Includes operating systems, device drivers, utilities, and software; development tools (e.g., assemblers, compilers, etc.). The Senior Systems Engineer work assignments involve moderately complex to ...

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All JobsOn Call Operating System Developer JobsOn Call Operating System Developer Jobs in Chicago, IL

On Call Operating System Developer information

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How much do on call operating system developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for on call operating system developer in Chicago, IL is $50.33, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42.60 and $58.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between On Call Operating System Developer vs System Software Engineer?

AspectOn Call Operating System DeveloperSystem Software Engineer
Primary FocusMaintaining, debugging, and updating operating systems during on-call shiftsDesigning, developing, and testing system software and tools
Work EnvironmentTypically in tech companies or data centers, often on-call for urgent issuesOffice or remote, involved in development projects
Required SkillsOS internals, troubleshooting, scripting, real-time problem solvingProgramming, system architecture, software development
CertificationsRelevant certifications like Linux Foundation or Microsoft certificationsComputer science degrees, certifications in software development

While both roles involve working with system-level software, the On Call Operating System Developer primarily focuses on maintaining and troubleshooting operating systems during on-call periods, whereas the System Software Engineer is involved in designing and developing system software in a broader development environment.

What is the highest paying call center job?

The highest paying call center jobs are typically supervisory or managerial roles, such as Call Center Manager or Operations Manager, which can offer salaries exceeding $60,000 annually. Specialized roles like technical support or sales management may also command higher pay, especially with relevant experience and certifications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an On Call Operating System Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an On Call Operating System Developer, you need deep expertise in low-level programming, operating system architecture, and debugging, often backed by a degree in computer science or related fields. Proficiency with languages like C/C++, debugging tools (e.g., GDB, WinDbg), and familiarity with version control systems such as Git are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, quick decision-making, and effective communication are vital soft skills for responding to urgent production incidents. These capabilities are crucial to rapidly diagnose, address, and prevent system-level failures, ensuring system stability and uptime.

What are On Call Operating System Developers?

On Call Operating System Developers are specialized software engineers responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and improving operating systems, often in real-time or emergency scenarios. They are typically available outside of regular business hours to address critical bugs, security vulnerabilities, or system outages. Their work ensures that operating systems remain stable, secure, and performant, especially when unexpected issues arise. These developers need deep technical expertise in OS internals and must be able to quickly diagnose and resolve complex problems.

What are the 7 types of OS?

The seven main types of operating systems are batch OS, time-sharing OS, distributed OS, network OS, real-time OS, mobile OS, and embedded OS. Each type is designed to meet specific computing needs, such as multitasking, real-time processing, or managing networked devices, which are relevant skills for an on call operating system developer.

Which IT job is in demand now?

On Call Operating System Developers are in demand due to the need for maintaining and troubleshooting complex systems across various industries. Skills in Linux, Windows, scripting, and remote support are highly valued, and certifications like CompTIA Linux+ or Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert can enhance job prospects.

How does the on-call aspect of an Operating System Developer role impact work-life balance and daily routines?

As an On Call Operating System Developer, you may be required to respond to critical system issues or outages outside of regular business hours. This can mean unpredictable work schedules during on-call periods, but teams often rotate responsibilities to help maintain work-life balance. It's important to have strong time management skills and clear communication with your team to ensure coverage and minimize disruptions. Many organizations provide compensatory time off or additional pay for on-call duties, and being on call offers valuable experience in troubleshooting high-stakes, real-world problems.

How much do OS devs make?

On-call operating system developers typically earn between $80,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of the systems they work on. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in kernel development or low-level programming can command higher salaries. Compensation may also include benefits such as bonuses, stock options, or flexible schedules.
What are the most commonly searched types of Operating System Developer jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Operating System Developer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
On Call Operating System Developer jobs near you
Operating System Design Manager

Operating System Design Manager

Lenovo

Chicago, IL • On-site

$178K - $211K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Lenovo rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

89th of 139 rated electronics manufacturers

Job description

Job Summary:
Lenovo is a global technology powerhouse focused on delivering Smarter Technology for All. They are seeking an OS System Design Manager to lead the architecture and system design of core OS-level components across various platforms including Linux, Android, and Windows, while providing technical leadership and managing a skilled engineering team.
Responsibilities:
• Lead system architecture and design across multi‑OS environments (Linux, Android, Windows, RTOS), focusing on HAL and middleware layers.
• Define and evolve OS‑level abstractions, system services, and framework‑facing interfaces that deliver consistent capabilities across diverse device platforms.
• Drive integration of system components with vendor HALs, silicon‑specific interfaces, and low‑level drivers across multiple operating systems.
• Collaborate with AI, product, firmware, hardware, and platform teams to ensure scalable and unified system designs.
• Deliver platform solutions that meet stringent performance, reliability, latency, and power goals across various hardware architectures.
• Oversee technical execution including design reviews, system bring‑up, debugging, and integration readiness for production platforms.
• Manage and grow a team of system engineers, fostering strong execution, technical depth, and platform expertise.
• Stay current with advances in OS architectures, HAL design patterns, system optimization approaches, and multi‑OS best practices.
Qualifications:
Required:
• 12+ years of hands-on engineering experience in OS level software, system design, HAL, or middleware development across Linux, Android, Windows, or RTOS platforms.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering is required.
• 3+ years of people-management experience, leading platform or system engineering teams.
• Strong understanding of framework ↔ system service ↔ HAL ↔ driver interactions across multiple operating systems.
• Proficiency in C/C++ for embedded and system-level development and familiarity with Java/Kotlin/C#/Rust as applicable to different OS environments.
• Proven experience delivering system-level components for consumer-grade devices (phones, tablets, PCs, IoT, embedded).
• Deep understanding of OS fundamentals including process models, memory management, IPC, scheduling, performance, power optimization, and system security.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams through system architecture decisions, cross-platform debugging, and production-quality delivery.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate product requirements into scalable multi-OS system architectures.
Preferred:
• Experience with HAL design, middleware frameworks, and system services across diverse OS platforms.
• Master’s Degree in Engineering is preferred.
• Background working with silicon vendors.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled system features, sensor frameworks, data-flow optimization, or on-device processing pipelines.
• Experience with updatable system components (Android APEX/Mainline, Linux modular packaging, Windows system modules).
• Strong problem-solving skills for cross-layer issues spanning frameworks, middleware, native daemons, HALs, and kernel interfaces.
• Passion for system design, OS architecture, and building clean, maintainable, and scalable system abstractions across heterogeneous platforms.
Company:
Lenovo Group is a computer technology company that manufactures personal computers, smartphones, televisions, and wearable devices. Founded in 1984, the company is headquartered in Beijing, CHN, with a team of 10001+ employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

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