1

Operating System Developer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Cloud Engineer (RHEL)

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$57 - $76.25/hr

Meet DoD 8140 foundational requirements for a System Developer with a proficiency of advanced. * High proficiency with Linux and Windows-based operating systems to include a deep, core understanding ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Columbia, MD

$103K - $141K/yr

Apply systems engineering methodologies across all phases of the system life cycle, including ... Develop and maintain automated operating system provisioning solutions using Kickstart or ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Columbia, MD

$103K - $141K/yr

Apply systems engineering methodologies across all phases of the system life cycle, including ... Develop and maintain automated operating system provisioning solutions using Kickstart or ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Columbia, MD · On-site

$103K - $141K/yr

Apply systems engineering methodologies across all phases of the system life cycle, including ... Develop and maintain automated operating system provisioning solutions using Kickstart or ...

The company leverages its expertise in data transport solutions, software and systems engineering ... Configures and manages UNIX, Linux and Windows operating systems and installs/loads operating ...

The company leverages its expertise in data transport solutions, software and systems engineering ... Configures and manages UNIX, Linux and Windows operating systems and installs/loads operating ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Operating System Developer information

See Washington salary details

$13

$55

$87

How much do operating system developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for operating system developer in Washington is $55.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46.83 and $64.81 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.

How much does an OS developer make?

An operating system developer's salary varies based on experience, location, and skills, but typically ranges from $80,000 to $150,000 annually in the United States. Senior developers with specialized knowledge 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 can also include benefits such as bonuses, stock options, and flexible schedules.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior operating system developers or software engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills, and leadership roles can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially in high-cost regions or large tech companies. These roles often require advanced knowledge of system architecture, programming languages, and sometimes stock options or bonuses as part of compensation packages.

How hard is coding an OS?

Operating System Developers work on designing, implementing, and maintaining core system software, which requires strong programming skills in languages like C and assembly, as well as understanding hardware architecture. Coding an OS is complex and involves managing low-level hardware interactions, concurrency, and security, often taking years of experience and knowledge of system design principles.

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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Operating System Developer jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Operating System Developer jobs in Washington are:
What are popular job titles related to Operating System Developer jobs in Washington? For Operating System Developer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Operating System Developer jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Operating System Developer jobs in Washington are:
Infographic showing various Operating System Developer job openings in Washington as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,105 per year, or $55.3 per hour.
Cloud Engineer (RHEL)

Cloud Engineer (RHEL)

Peraton

Chantilly, VA • On-site

$57 - $76.25/hr

Full-time

PTO

Posted 24 days ago


Peraton rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 53 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

47th of 208 rated it services


Job description

Responsibilities

Peraton is seeking a Senior Cloud Infrastructure Systems Engineer in our Chantilly, VA office in support of our Department of Defense (DoD) Community customer as part of a highly talented, highly motivated, and high-performing team.As part of the infrastructure as a service team, you will support an exciting program which involves design, development, test, and deployment of an exciting and complex system in an Agile construct to contribute to mission success for a variety of stakeholders. Join us and be part of the next generation of innovators as we blaze a trail forward for our profession and company. 

What you'll do: 

  • Work closely with our DoD customer and stakeholders throughout system lifecycle in development, integration & test, deployment, and operations of a highly sophisticated ground system architecture 
  • Help build mission-critical, highly available, high-performance networked systems in a team-oriented environment. Build and deploy cloud instances and applications utilizing automation tools to streamline processes and improve efficiency 
  • Develop deploy and maintain Ansible playbooks for the purpose of automating rapid installation and system patching within multiple large-scale environments 
  • Develop systems engineering-related documentation to include operational concept, requirements, specifications, interface control documents, and validation & verification plans 
  • Conduct system planning and design for expansion of these resources to meet program needs 
  • Support ground system related trade studies 
Qualifications

Required qualifications: 

  • This position requires the candidate to possess a minimum of Top-Secret clearance with the ability to obtain TS/SCI. The candidate must maintain the clearance. 
  • Associates degree and 10+ years of experience in a systems engineering related field; OR bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or related field and 8+ years of experience in a systems engineering related field; or a master's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or related field and 6+ years of experience in a Systems Engineering related field. Four (4) years of relevant experience will be considered in lieu of a degree 
  • Meet DoD 8140 foundational requirements for a System Developer with a proficiency of advanced. 
  • High proficiency with Linux and Windows-based operating systems to include a deep, core understanding of the operating systems' concepts and functionality, experience building and configuring systems from scratch, experience troubleshooting functionality, and performing all functions leveraging automation tooling where possible 
  • High proficiency in installing, configuring, and deploying services from scratch to include configuration of security, certificate, and authentication settings following industry standard best practices 
  • High proficiency creating, modifying, and troubleshooting Ansible playbooks for system configuration and system sustainment activities (e.g. patching) 
  • High proficiency in the use of scripting languages such as Ansible, Bash, or Python for task automation such as package installation and configuration across an array of physical and/or virtual hosts 
  • Experience using Git to include collaboration, configuration management tracking, and code review facilitation 
  • Experience creating and updating process documentation to include infrastructure deployments, application installation, and system sustainment activities 
  • Direct experience with host/application integration into an Identity and Access Management (IDAM) system such as Active Directory, FreeIPA, or other similar systems, including deploying PKI infrastructure and troubleshooting PKI related issues 
  • Direct experience with RHEL 9.x and above to include building systems up from bare metal, performing software package installation and update, operating system configuration, and application troubleshooting 
  • Direct experience troubleshooting application and system level issues caused by PKI configuration, networking, firewalls, or other similar OS/infrastructure layers 
  • High proficiency in leveraging automation tools to perform security hardening to include patching for vulnerabilities, configuration changes, experience configuring and troubleshooting SELinux, and debugging/troubleshooting system and application functionality because of hardening changes 
  • Proficiency with multiple Red Hat tools, to include Red Hat OpenStack (RHOSP), Red Hat OpenShift (RHOCP), Red Hat OpenStack Services on OpenShift (RHOSO), and Red Hat Satellite, or similar related technologies 

Desired Qualifications: 

  • Hands-on experience with Kubernetes to include troubleshooting containerized workloads, investigating node related issues, and deploying/upgrading solutions using YAML manifests, Helm, or GitOps CD 
  • Experience deploying, configuring, managing databases such as deploying/operating PostgreSQL/MySQL (backups, HA patterns) 
  • Experience deploying, configuring, managing multi-factor authentication (MFA) technologies such as ADFS/Keycloak/Okta, SAML/ODIC 
  • Experience implementing and leveraging system monitoring tools, to include log aggregation (Splunk, Elasticsearch), infrastructure telemetry (Sensu, Prometheus), and visualization (Grafana, Kibana) 
  • Experience with engineering infrastructure solutions that maximize uptime, reduce repetitive tasking, and mitigate human error 
  • Experience with out-of-band (OOB) technologies to manage remote resources such as iDRAC/iLO/IPMI 
  • Ability to express yourself confidently, concisely, and accurately through written and oral communications 
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with management, the customer and tenants across DoD 
  • Detail oriented, can multi-task, and can work with minimal supervision

Benefits:

Peraton offers enhanced benefits to employees working on this critical National Security program, which include heavily subsidized employee benefits coverage for you and your dependents, 25 days of PTO accrued annually up to a generous PTO cap and eligible to participate in an attractive bonus plan

#Metroplex

Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range$135,000 - $216,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.EEOEEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.Employment Type: FULL_TIME

What Peraton employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Peraton logo

About Peraton

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Peraton, we re at the forefront of delivering the next big thing every day. We re the partner of choice to help solve some of the world s most daunting challenges, delivering bold, new solutions to keep people around the world safer and more secure.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Herndon, VA, US

Year founded

2017