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Operating System Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Collabera

System Engineer

Rockville, MD · On-site

... operating systems through regular maintenance- Maintain configuration and support documentation ... science, computer engineering or related field required- 5-7 years experience required- Broad ...

Collabera

System Engineer

Rockville, MD · On-site

... operating systems through regular maintenance- Maintain configuration and support documentation ... science, computer engineering or related field required- 5-7 years experience required- Broad ...

Cymertek Corporation

System Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

... operating systems • Experience with network protocols • Competency with scripting and ... DevOps practices • Experience with containerization tools • Familiarity with enterprise ...

Athenix Solutions Group

System Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

Working Knowledge and familiarity with Linux based operating systems and the Linux command line ... Basic Level - Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field, and 6 years of relevant experience

Athenix Solutions Group

System Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

Working Knowledge and familiarity with Linux based operating systems and the Linux command line ... Basic Level - Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field, and 6 years of relevant experience

Exatech Solutions Inc

System Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

Working Knowledge and familiarity with Linux based operating systems and the Linux command line ... Basic Level - Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field, and 6 years of relevant experience

Athenix Solutions Group

System Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

Working Knowledge and familiarity with Linux based operating systems and the Linux command line ... Basic Level - Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field, and 6 years of relevant experience

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All JobsOperating System Engineer JobsOperating System Engineer Jobs in Washington

Operating System Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$60.6K

$144.1K

$189.1K

How much do operating system engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for operating system engineer in Washington is $144,083.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,000.00 and $177,800.00 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 Washington?

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

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

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

What cities in Washington are hiring for Operating System Engineer jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Operating System Engineer job openings:

Operating System Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Operating System Engineer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $144,083 per year, or $69.3 per hour.

System Engineer 3 with Security Clearance

Laurel, MD • On-site

Avid Technology Professionals
IT Services • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Avid Technology Professionalsexternal

Other

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Avid Technology Professionals System Engineer 3 * Laurel, MD •    Configure, manage and troubleshoot Linux operating systems.  Installs/loads operating system software, troubleshoot and maintain integrity and configures network components along with implementing operating systems enhancements to improve reliability and performance.  •    Extensive experience with VMWare  •    Demonstrated experience with modern automation/configuration tools such as Splunk or Ansible  •    Demonstrated experience in planning and leading Systems Engineering efforts is required •    Provides support for implementation, troubleshooting and maintenance of Information Technology (IT) systems.  •    Manage IT system infrastructure and any processes related to these systems.  •    Provide support to IT systems including day-to-day operations, monitoring and problem resolution for all the client/server/storage/network devices, mobile devices, etc.  •    Provide support for the dispatch system and hardware problems and will remain involved in the resolution process.  •    Optimize system operations and resource utilization and perform system capacity analysis and planning. Desired: RedHat Linux, Splunk, Ansible, VMWare,  Apply Now More Openings * System Engineer 3 * Annapolis Junction, MD * System Engineer 3 * Annapolis Junction, MD * System Engineer 3 * Annapolis Junction, MD * System Engineer 3 * Annapolis Junction, MD * System Engineer 3 * Laurel, MD Share This Job

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