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Operating System Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Hark

Operating System Architect

San Jose, CA

$120K - $300K/yr

This role spans hands-on systems engineering up through strategic technical leadership and team ... Define and evolve the embedded operating system architecture and platform strategy across the ...

Hark

Operating System Architect

San Jose, CA · On-site

$120K - $300K/yr

This role spans hands-on systems engineering up through strategic technical leadership and team ... Define and evolve the embedded operating system architecture and platform strategy across the ...

NABORS

Operating System Engineer RigCLOUD

Houston, TX · On-site

$66K - $89K/yr

The RigCLOUD Operating System Engineer is responsible for implementing, auditing, and continuously improving the RigCLOUD Operating System across field and office operations. This role ensures ...

Siritech Solutions Corp

SYSTEM DEVELOPER-W2

Albany, NY · On-site

Mentor and assist other programmers, both state and consultant, providing guidance for debugging ... Coordinate service requests with various ITS Chief Operating Office personnel for releases and ...

Brahma Consulting Group

System Engineer

Charlotte, NC

$55 - $58/hr

Title: System Admin/Engineer Location: Charlotte, NC (Onsite) Duration: 12 Months Responsible for ... Responsible for the operating system and associated subsystems including system and application ...

Versigent

Enterprise Operating System Director

Troy, MI · On-site

$101K - $126K/yr

ENTERPRISE OPERATING SYSTEM DIRECTOR Versigent designs and delivers the systems that move power ... As a standalone company, we combine deep engineering expertise with the speed and focus needed to ...

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How much do operating system developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for operating system developer in the United States is $48.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41.35 and $57.21 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Operating System Developer job?

An Operating System Developer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining operating system components, including kernels, drivers, and system utilities. They work on optimizing system performance, ensuring security, and improving compatibility with hardware and software. These developers typically work with low-level programming languages like C and Assembly and have expertise in systems architecture. Their role is crucial in developing reliable and efficient computing platforms for various devices, from desktops to embedded systems.

What is L1, L2, L3, and L4 developer?

In the context of an Operating System Developer, L1, L2, L3, and L4 typically refer to different levels of technical expertise or support tiers within a team. L1 developers handle basic tasks and troubleshooting, L2 focus on more complex issues, L3 work on advanced development and debugging, and L4 are senior experts or architects responsible for system design and architecture. These levels help organize responsibilities and skills required for developing and maintaining operating systems.

How much does an OS developer make?

An operating system developer's salary varies based on experience, location, and employer, but typically ranges from $80,000 to $150,000 annually in the United States. Senior developers with specialized skills in kernel development or low-level programming can earn higher salaries, especially at large tech companies or in high-cost-of-living areas.

How much do OS devs make?

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 low-level programming and kernel development tend to have higher salaries. Compensation may also include benefits such as bonuses, stock options, and flexible schedules.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in high-demand fields such as software development, data science, and specialized engineering roles can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with experience, advanced skills, and in high-cost-of-living areas. Executive-level engineering positions or those in leadership roles may also reach this compensation level, often including bonuses and stock options.

What are the typical daily tasks and responsibilities of an Operating System Developer?

Operating System Developers typically spend their days designing, implementing, and debugging core system components such as kernels, device drivers, and memory management modules. They often work closely with other software engineers, hardware teams, and QA testers to ensure compatibility and optimal performance. Reviewing code, conducting performance tests, and investigating reported issues are common daily tasks. Collaboration and clear communication are essential, as most projects require teamwork and regular updates across departments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Operating System Developer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Operating System Developer, you need in-depth knowledge of computer architecture, strong C/C++ programming skills, and experience with low-level system design, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with version control tools (like Git), debugging utilities, and relevant certifications such as Linux Foundation Certified Engineer are valuable. Analytical thinking, troubleshooting ability, and effective communication are important soft skills for collaborating across development teams. These competencies ensure robust, maintainable system software and efficient teamwork in complex, performance-critical environments.

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Operating System Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Operating System Developer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,629 per year, or $48.9 per hour.

Edge Operating System Engineer

Singularity Defense Corp.

El Segundo, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted yesterday

Job description

About the Company:
We are a stealth-mode Aerospace & Defense startup headquartered in Gardena, CA. Our founding team hails from SpaceX, Anduril, and Lockheed Martin, and we are backed by Joint Staff-level military leadership and several Silicon Valley firms. With a world-class business development & leadership team already in place, we are well positioned to capitalize on already overwhelming demand.
Job Overview:
We're looking for a Senior Software Engineer focused on Edge Operating Systems to own the low-level software stack powering our NVIDIA Orin NX-based flight computer. In this role, you'll be responsible for architecting and maintaining our custom NixOS-based deployment and configuration pipeline, building high-reliability Linux systems optimized for flight, and integrating performance-critical applications into a secure, deterministic edge compute environment.
If you thrive at the intersection of embedded systems, Linux internals, and reproducible builds-and want your work to directly shape national defense-this is your role.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Own image lifecycle for our flight computers, from hardware bring-up to mission deployment
  • Build secure, minimal, reproducible NixOS configurations for NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX
  • Optimize performance, boot time, and reliability for mission-critical deployments
  • Integrate low-level software components (GStreamer, CUDA, GPU drivers, telemetry, real-time threads) into a cohesive system
  • Work closely with flight software and GNC teams to support real-time, multi-process workloads
  • Develop secure update mechanisms, sandboxing, and observability tools for edge devices in hostile environments
  • Lead debugging and performance analysis efforts across user space, kernel space, and hardware interfaces
  • Contribute to devops and CI pipelines for embedded Linux builds and simulation environments

Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field
  • 5+ years of experience building or maintaining embedded Linux systems (Yocto, Buildroot, NixOS, or similar)
  • Deep familiarity with Linux internals: systemd, udev, bootloaders (e.g., U-Boot), networking, filesystems
  • Fluency in shell scripting and programming in Python, Rust, or C
  • Hands-on experience with NVIDIA Jetson platforms, including GPU and camera stack integration
  • Experience debugging kernel-space and user-space issues on embedded targets

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Advanced degree or research experience in operating systems, embedded systems, or security
  • Experience using Nix/NixOS in production for embedded or robotics systems
  • Familiarity with secure boot, TPMs, cryptographic key management, and OTA update systems
  • Knowledge of CUDA, GStreamer, or other high-performance Linux subsystems
  • Prior work on autonomous systems, aerospace, or other safety-critical domains
  • Contributions to open source operating systems or Nix community projects

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