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

Unto Labs

Senior Systems Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$213K - $220K/yr

... operating system kernels, developer tools, and systems related to economic applications; * Develop distributed ledger technologies or crypto economic distributed systems. Why join us? * Be at the ...

New

SPAN

Sr. Embedded Security Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$138K - $184K/yr

... Engineer as part of the Security team at SPAN. In this role, you will directly influence the ... Operating system security and OS-level hardening * Secure / Authenticated boot flows * Hardware ...

Droisys

Systems Engineer

Oakland, CA

This is a very highly secure system and a background check will be required of anyone coming on ... Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Server Operating Systems and Microsoft Active Directory ...

Meta

Systems Integration Engineer

Menlo Park, CA

$144K/yr

This includes leading the system design for serviceability (DFS) requirements which will guide the ... Experience with Linux operating systems and utilities * Experience with AI/ML hardware development ...

Meta

Systems Integration Engineer

Menlo Park, CA

$144K/yr

This includes leading the system design for serviceability (DFS) requirements which will guide the ... Experience with Linux operating systems and utilities * Experience with AI/ML hardware development ...

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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 Jul 2, 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 engineers make 200,000 a year?

Operating System Engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills, and certifications can earn $200,000 or more annually, especially in high-demand industries or senior roles. Factors such as working in large tech companies, possessing expertise in systems architecture, and working in competitive markets contribute to higher salaries.

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 engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior operating system engineers, especially those with extensive experience, specialized skills, and certifications, can earn $300,000 or more annually. High compensation is often associated with roles in large tech companies, leadership positions, or engineers working on complex systems with advanced tools and technologies.

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 does an OS engineer do?

An Operating System (OS) Engineer designs, develops, and maintains operating systems or their components, ensuring efficient performance, security, and stability. They often work with low-level programming languages, troubleshoot system issues, and optimize hardware-software interactions, frequently using tools like debugging software and version control systems.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

An Operating System Engineer or similar senior-level software engineer can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, specialized skills, and working in high-paying industries or companies. Such roles often require advanced knowledge of system architecture, programming, and certifications, and may include bonuses and stock options that contribute to total compensation.

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 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
Software Engineer II

Software Engineer II

PlayStation Global

San Mateo, CA

Other

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Responsibilities 

  • Design and develop video codec components for PlayStation SDKs and cloud gaming platforms.  
  • Own end-to-end delivery of features, including design, implementation, and validation.  
  • Perform system-level performance analysis and drive optimizations across the codecs pipeline.  
  • Collaborate with platform, hardware, and system software teams to debug and resolve complex issues.  

Required Qualifications 

  • Strong systems programming experience in C/C++.  
  • Solid understanding of multithreading, concurrency, and low-level programming concepts.  
  • Experience withGPU and graphics programming, including HLSL, Vulkan, or CUDA.
  • Proven ability in debugging and profiling complex systems.  
  • Proficient with these systems/tools: IDE's, Source Control (git/SVN), and Bug Tracking.  
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.  

Preferred Qualifications 

  • Familiarity with video compression standards (AV1, VVC, VP9, H.265, H.264) and multimedia frameworks or streaming systems. 
  • Exposure to hardware-accelerated or heterogeneous systems (CPU/GPU/ASIC). 
  • Good understanding of kernel and operating system fundamentals.  

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