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

Embedded OS Architect

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$190K - $320K/yr

... developers to ensure smooth and efficient interaction between the OS and higher-level software stacks. Required Qualifications: * 10+ years of experience in operating system development, with ...

Midstream is an AI-native financial operating system for health systems, founded by experienced ... You'll partner closely with engineers and leadership to understand where infrastructure creates ...

Software Engineer, Systems

San Francisco, CA

$203K - $241K/yr

Midstream is an AI-native financial operating system for health systems, founded by experienced ... You'll partner closely with engineers and leadership to understand where infrastructure creates ...

... fabric, operating system, and application layers • Experience designing and implementing ... Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience • 6+ years of ...

Systems Engineer

Burlingame, CA · On-site

$170K - $200K/yr

We are a team of engineers, operators, entrepreneurs, and partners driven by a shared ambition to set the new performance standard for renewable energy and grid resilience. About the Role - Systems ...

Systems Engineer

South San Francisco, CA · On-site

$160K - $260K/yr

If being an engineering leader on the team driving us to achieve our ambitious goals to scale ... operative modes that enable the system to continue to operate through faults Nice to have: * A ...

Systems Engineer

Burlingame, CA · On-site

$170K - $200K/yr

We are a team of engineers, operators, entrepreneurs, and partners driven by a shared ambition to set the new performance standard for renewable energy and grid resilience. About the Role - Systems ...

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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 8, 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:

Frontend Engineer -- Distributed Systems Platform

Clera

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted yesterday


Job description

About the Role

We're looking for a frontend engineer to own the interface through which users will interact with distributed systems. This isn't just another dashboard — it's an entire operating system. You'll have the opportunity to innovate at the level of foundational UI/UX paradigms that have shaped computing.

This role requires the kind of creative thinking that reimagines how users relate to complex infrastructure—transforming something traditionally scary and technical into something accessible and useful to everyone, not just highly technical specialists.

What You'll Do
  • Design and develop user interfaces for a distributed systems platform

  • Drive frontend architecture and implementation decisions

  • Own the user experience from conception through deployment

  • Collaborate with product and backend teams to translate system capabilities into intuitive interfaces

  • Establish patterns and best practices for frontend development

What We're Looking For
  • Strong frontend engineering fundamentals and design sensibility

  • Experience building complex, performant user interfaces

  • Passion for making technical concepts accessible to diverse users

  • Ability to think creatively about interaction design and user experience

  • Experience with distributed systems or infrastructure tooling (nice to have)