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Operating System Engineer Jobs in South Carolina

Senior Systems Engineer

North Charleston, SC · On-site

$99K - $136K/yr

* Engineer, administer, and secure enterprise Windows and RHEL systems * Maintain and enforce ... Operating System Certificate, e.g. Linux+, Windows Server, CCNA * Experience supporting Navy C4I ...

Installing, configuring, and administering Linux operating systems, with a focus on Red Hat ... Collaborating with developers, systems engineers, and hardware teams to define integration ...

... Operating System, including permissions and type-enforcement. * Configure and maintain DNS and BIND domain name services and manage the full range of the firewall features at an Enterprise level.

Senior Systems Engineer

North Charleston, SC · On-site

$99K - $136K/yr

The Senior Systems Engineer is responsible for the engineering, hardening, baseline enforcement ... Operating System Certificate (e.g., Linux+, Windows Server, CCNA, etc) * Experience supporting Navy ...

Participate in all phases of software operating system and application engineering, including design, analysis, modeling, development, and optimization at a highly technical level. * Perform full ...

Systems Engineer An MSP Systems Engineer (Managed Service Provider Systems Engineer) is a ... of system architecture and design principles. * Proficiency in operating systems (e.g., Windows ...

Systems Engineer An MSP Systems Engineer (Managed Service Provider Systems Engineer) is a ... of system architecture and design principles. * Proficiency in operating systems (e.g., Windows ...

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Operating System Engineer information

See South Carolina salary details

$49.6K

$118K

$155K

How much do operating system engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for operating system engineer in South Carolina is $118,050.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,900.00 and $145,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an operating system engineer do?

An Operating System Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, maintaining, and optimizing operating systems that run on computers and servers. They work on the core components that manage hardware resources, enable software applications, and ensure system security and stability. Their duties often include writing system-level code, troubleshooting performance issues, implementing updates, and collaborating with hardware and software teams. Operating System Engineers play a critical role in ensuring that computing environments are efficient, reliable, and secure.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an operating system engineer?

To thrive as an Operating System Engineer, you need a deep understanding of computer science principles, operating system internals, and strong programming skills in languages like C, C++, or Rust, often backed by a relevant degree. Familiarity with kernel development, debugging tools, virtualization platforms, and experience with version control systems (such as Git) are typically required. Problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication are soft skills that set top performers apart. These skills ensure the reliability, performance, and security of operating systems, which are foundational to all computing environments.

What are some common challenges faced by operating system engineers when maintaining system stability in large-scale environments?

Operating System Engineers often encounter challenges such as managing software patching across diverse hardware, ensuring compatibility with legacy applications, and minimizing downtime during critical updates. In large-scale environments, balancing security with performance and reliability can be complex, especially when multiple teams depend on the systems. Effective communication with development, security, and IT operations teams is essential to address these issues proactively and maintain overall system stability.

What is the difference between Operating System Engineer vs System Administrator?

AspectOperating System EngineerSystem Administrator
Primary FocusDesigning, developing, and optimizing operating systemsMaintaining, configuring, and supporting existing systems
Skills & CertificationsLinux/Unix, scripting, OS architecture, certifications like RHCE or Linux FoundationSystem management, network setup, troubleshooting, certifications like CompTIA Server+ or Microsoft Certified
Work EnvironmentDevelopment teams, R&D, engineering projectsIT support, data centers, enterprise environments
Industry UsageTech companies, hardware firms, software developmentCorporate IT, government agencies, healthcare, finance

While both roles involve working with operating systems, Operating System Engineers focus on designing and developing OS solutions, whereas System Administrators manage and support existing systems. The roles complement each other but serve different stages of the system lifecycle.

What are popular job titles related to Operating System Engineer jobs in South Carolina?

For Operating System Engineer jobs in South Carolina, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Operating System Engineer jobs in South Carolina look for?

The top searched job categories for Operating System Engineer jobs in South Carolina are:

Infographic showing various Operating System Engineer job openings in South Carolina as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,050 per year, or $56.8 per hour.

Linux System Engineer with Security Clearance

Goose Creek, SC • On-site

$65 - $70/hr

Other

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

Position: Secret Cleared Linux System Engineer
Location: Goose Creek, SC
Length: 6 month contract to hire
Rate: $65-$70/hr
(Exact compensation may vary based on several factors, including skills, experience, and education) Job Description:
Insight Global is seeking a Secret Cleared Linux Systems Engineer to support mission-critical Navy and DoD infrastructure in a highly secure operational environment. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys working with Red Hat Enterprise Linux, cloud technologies, automation, cybersecurity compliance, and infrastructure modernization.
You will be responsible for maintaining secure Linux environments, automating system administration tasks, supporting cloud-hosted infrastructure, and ensuring operational readiness for systems that support military missions. What You'll Be Doing
Engineer, deploy, administer, and maintain Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) environments
Troubleshoot Linux operating system, application, and infrastructure issues
Automate system administration and deployment activities using Infrastructure as Code tools
Support AWS-hosted infrastructure and cloud-based services
Implement security controls and maintain compliance with DoD cybersecurity requirements
Perform STIG remediation, vulnerability mitigation, and patch management
Support RMF, ATO, ACAS, and security compliance activities
Develop and maintain technical documentation, procedures, and engineering artifacts
Collaborate with cybersecurity, networking, systems, and government teams
Participate in modernization efforts focused on automation, cloud adoption, and platform reliability Required Qualifications
Active Secret Clearance with ability to upgrade to TS/SCI
Active IAT Level II or IAT Level III certification (Security+, CySA+, CASP+, CISSP, or equivalent)
7+ years of experience supporting Navy C4I, CANES, mission systems, or comparable DoD environments
Strong Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) systems engineering experience
Experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) technologies such as:
Ansible
Terraform
CloudFormation
Similar automation tools
AWS cloud experience
Experience supporting secure, mission-critical environments
Strong troubleshooting and systems engineering skills