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Operating System Developer Jobs in Santa Clara, CA

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 ...

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 ...

MasTec Inc

Systems Engineer

Dublin, CA · Hybrid

$36 - $42/hr

Systems Engineer Location: Hybrid (Must reside in Bay Area) 1-2 days per week in Vacaville, CA ... Operational knowledge of the Linux operating System. * Experience with software testing/integration ...

New

MasTec Inc

Systems Engineer

Dublin, CA · Hybrid

$36 - $42/hr

Systems Engineer Location: Hybrid (Must reside in Bay Area) 1-2 days per week in Vacaville, CA ... Operational knowledge of the Linux operating System. * Experience with software testing/integration ...

New

MasTec Inc

Systems Engineer

Dublin, CA · Hybrid

$36 - $42/hr

Systems Engineer Location: Hybrid (Must reside in Bay Area) 1-2 days per week in Vacaville, CA ... Operational knowledge of the Linux operating System. * Experience with software testing/integration ...

New

MasTec Inc

Systems Engineer

Dublin, CA · Hybrid

$36 - $42/hr

Systems Engineer Location: Hybrid (Must reside in Bay Area) 1-2 days per week in Vacaville, CA ... Operational knowledge of the Linux operating System. * Experience with software testing/integration ...

New

MasTec Inc

Systems Engineer

Dublin, CA · Hybrid

$36 - $42/hr

Systems Engineer Location: Hybrid (Must reside in Bay Area) 1-2 days per week in Vacaville, CA ... Operational knowledge of the Linux operating System. * Experience with software testing/integration ...

New

MasTec Inc

Systems Engineer

Dublin, CA · Hybrid

$36 - $42/hr

Systems Engineer Location: Hybrid (Must reside in Bay Area) 1-2 days per week in Vacaville, CA ... Operational knowledge of the Linux operating System. * Experience with software testing/integration ...

New

MasTec Inc

Systems Engineer

Dublin, CA · Hybrid

$36 - $42/hr

Systems Engineer Location: Hybrid (Must reside in Bay Area) 1-2 days per week in Vacaville, CA ... Operational knowledge of the Linux operating System. * Experience with software testing/integration ...

New

MasTec Inc

Systems Engineer

Dublin, CA · Hybrid

$36 - $42/hr

Systems Engineer Location: Hybrid (Must reside in Bay Area) 1-2 days per week in Vacaville, CA ... Operational knowledge of the Linux operating System. * Experience with software testing/integration ...

New

MasTec Inc

Systems Engineer

Dublin, CA · Hybrid

$36 - $42/hr

Systems Engineer Location: Hybrid (Must reside in Bay Area) 1-2 days per week in Vacaville, CA ... Operational knowledge of the Linux operating System. * Experience with software testing/integration ...

New

MasTec Inc

Systems Engineer

Dublin, CA · Hybrid

$36 - $42/hr

Systems Engineer Location: Hybrid (Must reside in Bay Area) 1-2 days per week in Vacaville, CA ... Operational knowledge of the Linux operating System. * Experience with software testing/integration ...

New

Intren West

Systems Engineer

Dublin, CA · On-site

$36 - $42/hr

Systems Engineer Location: Hybrid (Must reside in Bay Area) 1-2 days per week in Vacaville, CA ... Operational knowledge of the Linux operating System. * Experience with software testing/integration ...

New

MasTec Inc

Systems Engineer

Dublin, CA · On-site

$36 - $42/hr

Systems Engineer Location: Hybrid (Must reside in Bay Area) 1-2 days per week in Vacaville, CA ... Operational knowledge of the Linux operating System. * Experience with software testing/integration ...

New

Intren West

Systems Engineer

Dublin, CA · Hybrid

$36 - $42/hr

Systems Engineer Location: Hybrid (Must reside in Bay Area) 1-2 days per week in Vacaville, CA ... Operational knowledge of the Linux operating System. * Experience with software testing/integration ...

New

Intren West

Systems Engineer

Dublin, CA · Hybrid

$36 - $42/hr

Systems Engineer Location: Hybrid (Must reside in Bay Area) 1-2 days per week in Vacaville, CA ... Operational knowledge of the Linux operating System. * Experience with software testing/integration ...

New

Infotech Spectrum

System Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA

Experience of VxWorks or other real-time operating systems Programming experience in C/C++ required; C# is highly desirable Experience with National Instruments Labview, Matlab and other simulation ...

AMAX

Junior System Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$80K - $95K/yr

Troubleshoot hardware, firmware, and operating system issues across server and cluster environments. * Collaborate with engineering teams to define system specifications and evaluate the interface ...

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All JobsOperating System Developer JobsOperating System Developer Jobs in Santa Clara, CA

Operating System Developer information

See Santa Clara, CA salary details

$14

$56

$89

How much do operating system developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for operating system developer in Santa Clara, CA is $56.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48.17 and $66.68 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 Santa Clara, CA? The most popular types of Operating System Developer jobs in Santa Clara, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Operating System Developer jobs in Santa Clara, CA? For Operating System Developer jobs in Santa Clara, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Operating System Developer jobs in Santa Clara, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Operating System Developer jobs in Santa Clara, CA are:
What cities near Santa Clara, CA are hiring for Operating System Developer jobs? Cities near Santa Clara, CA with the most Operating System Developer job openings:
Operating System Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Operating System Developer job openings in Santa Clara, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,430 per year, or $56.9 per hour.
Operating System Architect

Operating System Architect

Hark

San Jose, CA • On-site

$120K - $300K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

About Hark
Hark is an artificial intelligence company building advanced, personalized intelligence. One that is proactive, multimodal, and capable of interacting with the world through speech, text, vision, and persistent memory.
We're pairing that intelligence with next-generation hardware to create a universal interface between humans and machines. While today's AI largely operates through chat boxes and decade-old devices, Hark is focused on what comes next: agentic systems that interact naturally with people and the real world.
To get there, we're developing multimodal models and next-generation AI hardware together - designed from the ground up as a single, unified interface for a new era of intelligent systems.
About the Role
We're looking for a Principal Embedded OS Architect to own the operating system strategy and software architecture across our consumer electronics portfolio, from early architecture through mass production. You'll be the technical leader responsible for defining how our embedded software stacks are structured, how they scale across product lines, and how they perform. This role spans hands-on systems engineering up through strategic technical leadership and team build-out - you'll shape architecture decisions while staying close to the code and the hardware. Partner closely with hardware, firmware, applications, and program management teams to drive alignment from NPI through sustained production.
Responsibilities
  • Define and evolve the embedded operating system architecture and platform strategy across the product portfolio
  • Navigate tradeoffs across performance, power, schedule, and scalability, while ensuring rock-solid product dependability
  • Lead cross-functional software teams through full product lifecycles - from NPI bring-up and proto builds, validation build milestones through production ramp and sustaining engineering
  • Drive technical decisions across every layer of the stack (BSP, kernel, middleware, services, application frameworks) with a focus on creating an AI-first platform foundation
  • Establish architectural standards, design review processes, and technical roadmaps that enable the team to ship on time without accumulating structural debt

Requirements
  • 10+ years of experience in embedded systems software with at least 5 years in a principal or staff-level architecture role, shipping consumer electronics products at scale
  • Deep expertise in embedded operating systems (e.g., embedded Linux, RTOS, or custom OS stacks) including kernel internals, memory management, scheduler tuning, driver frameworks, and boot architecture
  • Demonstrated track record of leading engineering teams through complete NPI-to-production cycles, with hands-on involvement across BSP, middleware, and application layers.
  • Strong command of system-level performance optimization, power management strategies, and architecture patterns that scale across a multi-product portfolio.

Bonus Qualifications
  • Experience shipping product solutions including on-board AI models leveraging hardware acceleration
  • Experience defining OS platform strategy across a family of products with varying compute, connectivity, and cost profiles
  • Familiarity with secure boot chains, OTA update frameworks, and production provisioning workflows for high-volume manufacturing
  • Background in contributing to or integrating open-source embedded projects (Yocto/OpenEmbedded, Zephyr, Android Open Source, etc.)
  • Experience with hardware/software co-design, including partnering with silicon teams on SoC selection and custom peripheral integration

Compensation
The US base salary range for this full-time position is between $120,000 - $300,000 annually.
The pay offered for this position may vary based on several individual factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package may also include additional components/benefits depending on the specific role. This information will be shared if an employment offer is extended.

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