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Operating System Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Samsung

System Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

As a Sr. Systems Engineer on the HPC Grid Systems infrastructure team, you will be working on ... Deep expertise with Linux operating systems including operations in a large scale production ...

Samsung

System Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

As a Sr. Systems Engineer on the HPC Grid Systems infrastructure team, you will be working on ... Linux operating system commands and utilities, • Linux storage administration experience ...

Synergy ECP

System Engineer

Columbia, MD

Configures and manages UNIX and Windows operating systems and installs/loads operating system ... Bachelor's degree in System Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering Science ...

Synergy ECP

System Engineer

Columbia, MD · On-site

Configures and manages UNIX and Windows operating systems and installs/loads operating system ... Bachelor's degree in System Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering Science ...

Nightwing

Linux Systems Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

Perform operating system upgrades, patch management, lifecycle maintenance, and performance ... Advanced Network Engineering Design and implement advanced routing architectures utilizing:

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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.

More about Operating System Developer jobs
What cities are hiring for Operating System Developer jobs? Cities with the most Operating System Developer job openings:
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What states have the most Operating System Developer jobs? States with the most job openings for Operating System Developer jobs include:
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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.
Software Engineer, II - Operating System

Software Engineer, II - Operating System

Torc Robotics

Ann Arbor, MI • On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

About the Company
At Torc, we have always believed that autonomous vehicle technology will transform how we travel, move freight, and do business.
A leader in autonomous driving since 2007, Torc has spent over a decade commercializing our solutions with experienced partners. Now a part of the Daimler family, we are focused solely on developing software for automated trucks to transform how the world moves freight.
Join us and catapult your career with the company that helped pioneer autonomous technology, and the first AV software company with the vision to partner directly with a truck manufacturer.
Meet the Team
The Operating System Team develops and maintains a light-weight in-house modified Linux distribution based on the usage of open source technologies. This also comprises the integration of third party libraries to efficiently run Machine Learning based Applications on NVIDIA target SoCs as wall as the development, operation and maintenance of the required build-system technologies.
What You'll Do
  • Work on Linux kernel modules
  • Incorporate Linux Distribution in to build and deployment toolchain
  • Perform system-level debugging and performance tuning
  • Develop shell scripts and automation tools
  • Troubleshoot system issues and optimize performance
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (DevOps, QA, Hardware, Networking)
  • Ensure system security, stability, and scalability
  • Manage package builds and deployments
  • Contribute to documentation and technical design discussions
  • Optimize performance, memory usage, and real-time behavior of embedded applications.
  • Integrate and maintain third-party software and open-source software

What You'll Need to Succeed
  • Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field with 3-5+ years experience
  • Strong understanding of Linux internals, including user space vs kernel space, device trees, systemd and system boot-up.
  • Familiar with Linux Kernel architecture (Scheduler (CFS vs RT), Memory management (paging, slab, CMA), Interrupt handling, softirq/tasklets)
  • Deep understanding of Process and IPC (fork/exec, signals, shared memory, pipes, sokcets).
  • Familiar with Linux boot up sequence and bootloaders.
  • Experience with device drivers and user space drivers. (PCIe, DMA, Ethernet, CAN)
  • Linux security knowledge (secure boot chain, signed kernel modules), filesystem hardening, namespace isolation (LSM).
  • Strong experience with Linux development in Embedded Systems, latency analysis (CyclicTest,ftrace)
  • Strong knowledge in building real time Embedded Systems for automotive or similar industries
  • Knowledge of build systems (Make, CMake, Yocto, Buildstream, Bazel)
  • Proficiency in C/C++ programming
  • Namespace Isolations (Containers, CGroups)
  • Experience with Shell scripting (Bash)
  • Familiarity with system calls, memory management, and process management
  • Knowledge of networking protocols (TCP/IP, SSH, HTTP)
  • Experience with debugging tools like GDB, strace, and Valgrind
  • Experience working in multi-threaded, multi-core, and multi-processor systems.
  • Solid understanding of Semaphore, Mutex, Message Queue, shared memory and other operating
    system concepts.
  • Familiarity with hardware interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, Automotive Ethernet, CAN, and
    GPIO.
  • Knowledge of software version control (e.g., Git), CI/CD practices, and issue tracking systems.
  • Experience with Python, Bash scripting, or other relevant tools for automation and testing.
  • Exposure to Nvidia DriveOs.
  • Experience with Vector Cast or GTest for unit testing.
  • Experience working with scrum / Agile teams.
  • Knowledge of ISO 61508 or/and ISO 26262 desirable.
  • Automotive ASPICE knowledge - V Cycle

Perks of Being a Full-time Torc'r
Torc cares about our team members and we strive to provide benefits and resources to support their health, work/life balance, and future. Our culture is collaborative, energetic, and team focused. Torc offers:
  • A competitive compensation package that includes a bonus component and stock options
  • 100% paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for full-time employees
  • 401K plan with a 6% employer match
  • Flexibility in schedule and generous paid vacation (available immediately after start date)
  • AD+D and Life Insurance

At Torc, we're committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We celebrate the uniqueness of our Torc'rs and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, veteran status, or disabilities.
Even if you don't meet 100% of the qualifications listed for this opportunity, we encourage you to apply.
Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several geographic markets. Pay is based on a number of factors and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Torc's total compensation package will also include our corporate bonus and stock option plan. Dependent on the position offered, sign-on payments, relocation, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits.
Job ID: 102526
Hiring Range for Job Opening
US Pay Range
$139,000-$166,800 USD

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