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Operating System Engineer Jobs in Berkeley, CA (NOW HIRING)

Broccoli AI

Staff Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$200K - $350K/yr

About Broccoli Broccoli is building the AI operating system for home service businesses . We work ... Raised $25M+ from Khosla Ventures and YC Staff Software Engineer @ Broccoli We're looking for a ...

Droisys

Systems Engineer

Oakland, CA

Systems Engineer Location: Oakland, CA Duration: 9 months Minimum 5 years of experience providing ... Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Server Operating Systems and Microsoft Active Directory ...

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All JobsOperating System Engineer JobsOperating System Engineer Jobs in Berkeley, CA

Operating System Engineer information

See Berkeley, CA salary details

$65.5K

$155.8K

$204.5K

How much do operating system engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for operating system engineer in Berkeley, CA is $155,767.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,000.00 and $192,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Operating System Engineer, and why are they important?

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 popular job titles related to Operating System Engineer jobs in Berkeley, CA? For Operating System Engineer jobs in Berkeley, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Operating System Engineer jobs in Berkeley, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Operating System Engineer jobs in Berkeley, CA are:
What cities near Berkeley, CA are hiring for Operating System Engineer jobs? Cities near Berkeley, CA with the most Operating System Engineer job openings:
Operating System Engineer jobs near you
Senior Linux Platform Engineer

Senior Linux Platform Engineer

Judge Group, Inc.

San Mateo, CA

$130K - $170K/yr

Other

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Location: San Mateo, CA
Salary: $130,000.00 USD Annually - $170,000.00 USD Annually
Description:
Job Title: Platform Engineer - Operating Systems and Patch Management
Type: Full Time
Location: San Mateo - Hybrid
Job Description
Our client is seeking a Platform Engineer to design, build, and maintain secure and reliable operating system platforms across Linux and Windows environments. This role is responsible for operating system patch management, image creation, package curation, and validation of updates to ensure systems remain secure, stable, and compliant with internal standards. The ideal candidate has strong experience with Linux-based systems, security updates, automation, and OS-level infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities
  • Track, analyze, and manage Linux security advisories and CVEs from upstream sources
  • Build, maintain, and release base operating system images using automated tooling
  • Package, curate, and maintain Linux patches and updates from upstream repositories
  • Build and manage internal Linux package distributions and repositories
  • Track, package, and maintain Windows operating system and software updates
  • Perform regression and compatibility testing on patched systems
  • Validate security fixes and ensure adherence to patching and compliance policies
  • Automate build, packaging, testing, and release workflows
  • Maintain clear documentation for patch sets, releases, and testing procedures
  • Provision and manage bare-metal systems for testing and release environments using infrastructure lifecycle tools

Required Qualifications
  • 5 to 8 years of experience in platform engineering, Linux systems administration, or OS-level infrastructure roles
  • Strong hands-on experience with Linux systems, preferably Ubuntu or Debian-based distributions
  • Experience tracking and applying security updates and CVEs
  • Experience building Linux packages and managing repositories using tools such as APT and dpkg
  • Experience with operating system image creation tools such as Packer
  • Hands-on experience with bare-metal provisioning and lifecycle management systems
  • Familiarity with Windows patching and update management processes
  • Experience with scripting languages such as Bash or Python
  • Understanding of CI/CD pipelines and automated testing practices
  • Strong troubleshooting and debugging skills

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience maintaining custom Linux distributions or internal package repositories at scale
  • Familiarity with kernel patching, driver updates, or low-level system troubleshooting
  • Experience using automated testing frameworks for operating system validation
  • Knowledge of vulnerability management workflows and tooling
  • Experience integrating patching and validation workflows into CI/CD platforms
  • Familiarity with infrastructure automation and configuration management tools
  • Experience working in regulated or security-sensitive environments
  • Understanding of package signing, repository security, and software supply chain integrity

By providing your phone number, you consent to: (1) receive automated text messages and calls from the Judge Group, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively "Judge") to such phone number regarding job opportunities, your job application, and for other related purposes. Message & data rates apply and message frequency may vary. Consistent with Judge's Privacy Policy, information obtained from your consent will not be shared with third parties for marketing/promotional purposes. Reply STOP to opt out of receiving telephone calls and text messages from Judge and HELP for help.
Contact:
This job and many more are available through The Judge Group. Please apply with us today!

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