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Operating System Engineer Jobs in Philadelphia, PA

Gnostech LLC

Systems Engineer

Marlton, NJ · On-site

Systems Engineer ID: 1174 Location: Marlton, NJ Description Gnostech, a growing technology ... Perform system validation, testing, and troubleshooting to ensure proper functionality of operating ...

FreedomPay

Sr. Systems Engineer

Philadelphia, PA · Hybrid

$105K - $144K/yr

FreedomPay is looking for a Senior Systems Engineer who has extensive experience with hypervisors ... operating system metrics and an ability to make informed decisions based on key performance ...

FreedomPay

Sr. Systems Engineer

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

$105K - $144K/yr

FreedomPay is looking for a Senior Systems Engineer who has extensive experience with hypervisors ... operating system metrics and an ability to make informed decisions based on key performance ...

FreedomPay

Sr. Systems Engineer

Philadelphia, PA · Hybrid

$105K - $144K/yr

FreedomPay is looking for a Senior Systems Engineer who has extensive experience with hypervisors ... operating system metrics and an ability to make informed decisions based on key performance ...

Actalent

Software Engineer

Moorestown, NJ

$40 - $70/hr

Software Engineer ($5,000 sign on bonus) This role focuses on designing, developing ... Design and develop software for computer-based systems, including embedded and operating system ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsOperating System Engineer JobsOperating System Engineer Jobs in Philadelphia, PA

Operating System Engineer information

See Philadelphia, PA salary details

$51.1K

$121.6K

$159.6K

How much do operating system engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for operating system engineer in Philadelphia, PA is $121,582.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,700.00 and $150,000.00 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 Philadelphia, PA?

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

What job categories do people searching Operating System Engineer jobs in Philadelphia, PA look for?

The top searched job categories for Operating System Engineer jobs in Philadelphia, PA are:

What cities near Philadelphia, PA are hiring for Operating System Engineer jobs?

Cities near Philadelphia, PA with the most Operating System Engineer job openings:

Operating System Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Operating System Engineer job openings in Philadelphia, PA as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,582 per year, or $58.5 per hour.

Senior System Engineer (TS/SCI with CI Poly) {S}

King Of Prussia, PA • On-site

ARKA Group
See more jobs at ARKA Groupexternal

$102K - $139K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

ARKA Group L.P. ("ARKA") is an advanced technologies company serving the U.S. military, intelligence community, and commercial space industry delivering next-generation solutions to support the national security space enterprise. Built on more than six decades of excellence, ARKA brings modern approaches and a culture of innovation to the challenges of today.
Join the ARKA team to learn how Beyond Begins Here. Discover your next career opportunity now!
Position Overview:
This position is for a Senior Systems Engineer supporting a mission-critical software and AI/ML product development program. You will be embedded in a high-performing, Agile delivery team to transition complex software and AI-enabled capabilities into operational use.
In this role, you will report to the Program Chief Engineer and provide technical support across multiple product teams operating on an Agile release cadence. You will act as a technical integrator and systems thinker, ensuring alignment between user needs, system architecture, software implementation, and verification outcomes.
Because this is a software-centric, Agile lifecycle, work assignments will evolve frequently. The role emphasizes continuous requirements refinement informed by user feedback, and close collaboration with software, data, and ML engineers. Typical activities may include requirements elicitation and management, system and software architecture support, backlog refinement, design and interface documentation, automated test definition, AI/ML output evaluation, and model-based and digital systems engineering practices.
We are seeking systems engineers who are curious, adaptable, and self-directed, and who thrive in environments where systems engineering is embedded within modern software and AI/ML product teams, rather than performed as a serial or document-driven function.
In support of work/life balance, many positions are available for a flexible schedule within the pay period. Ask us about the opportunity for flex scheduling if that's of interest to you.
We offer generous relocation benefits for eligible candidates.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Analyze stakeholder intent and user workflows to shape requirements, features, and user stories, serving as a user proxy to ensure system functionality meets operational needs
  • Act as a knowledgeable user proxy by executing and evaluating prototype capabilities, AI/ML outputs, and user experience implementations to assess operational suitability, usability, and alignment with intended outcomes
  • Collaborate with product owners, software engineers, data scientists, ML engineers, UX designers, and test teams to support continuous integration, verification, and validation of AI-enabled capabilities
  • Support UI/UX concept development (e.g., wireframes or mockups) to inform user-centered design and operational workflows
  • Contribute to automated test strategy, including definition of verification criteria and support to test implementation
  • Provide informal technical leadership and guidance across multiple Agile software and AI/ML development teams
  • Maintain requirements transparency and traceability across system, software, and AI/ML components throughout the development lifecycle
  • Perform end-to-end requirements management, including decomposition, allocation, traceability, verification mapping, and development of compliance artifacts
  • Develop and maintain system architecture artifacts, interface definitions, and design documentation using digital engineering best practices
  • Generate and maintain formal program artifacts such as system specifications, interface control documents (ICDs), software description documents (SDDs), V&V documentation, and user-facing technical documentation
  • Support the Chief Engineer with technical planning, interface coordination, risk tracking, and milestone readiness
  • Participate in customer engagements, program reviews, government test events, and discrepancy review boards as a systems engineering representative

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, software engineering, computer science, or a related STEM discipline
  • Minimum of 5 years of systems engineering experience supporting software-intensive systems across the full development lifecycle
  • Ability to serve as an operationally informed stand-in for the customer by executing the system, interpreting AI outputs, and assessing fitness-for-purpose against defined operational questions, stakeholder intent, and system performance objectives
  • Demonstrated experience working hands-on within Agile development teams, including writing and refining epics, features, and user stories; defining acceptance criteria; and participating in sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives
  • Strong background in requirements management, including decomposition, allocation, bidirectional traceability, and verification planning
  • Experience supporting system integration, verification, and validation (IV&V) for software-based systems
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with software engineers, data scientists, ML engineers, UX designers, and test teams
  • Experience developing and maintaining technical documentation such as system specifications, interface control documents (ICDs), and software design descriptions
  • Demonstrated strong communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills, with experience engaging technical and non-technical stakeholders and working effectively across distributed and virtual Agile teams
  • Active TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance with current CI Poly

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Proven business acumen, with the ability to balance technical trade studies, schedule, cost, and mission outcomes
  • Working knowledge of AI/ML concepts and technologies, including model training workflows, data pipelines, and performance considerations
  • Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and digital engineering tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler or equivalent
  • Experience defining and executing automated verification strategies, including the use of automated tests to satisfy formal system and software requirements
  • Familiarity with government Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) processes, procedures, and documentation
  • Experience designing and integrating software-defined interfaces, including interface specification and implementation using XML, JSON, or similar data exchange formats
  • Experience contributing to or developing software and system architectures using digital engineering and architecture modeling tools
  • Familiarity with cloud-based system architectures, including deployment and accreditation considerations for U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) environments
  • Experience supporting operational deployment and sustainment of multi-product baselines and incremental capability releases
  • Experience with satellite communications (SATCOM) and/or geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) systems
  • Experience using requirements management tools such as IBM DOORS or DOORS Next Generation
  • Experience working in Git-based configuration management environments, such as GitLab
  • Current DoD 8570/8140 IAT Level II or III certification (e.g., Security+, CISSP, CASP+)

Location: King of Prussia, PA
Situated less than an hour outside of Philadelphia and hosting the largest mall on the east coast, King of Prussia offers the urban feel sought in the city, while also giving opportunities to experience the beauty and history found only in Pennsylvania.
What We Offer:
  • Comprehensive medical/vision/dental insurance packages
  • Company contributions to qualified HSA accounts
  • 401k retirement plan with industry leading company contributions
  • 3 weeks of vacation accrual per year plus time off for sick leave and unscheduled life events
  • 13 paid holidays
  • Upfront tuition assistance for approved degree programs
  • Annual bonus program based on company and employee performance
  • Company paid life insurance, AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term disability insurance
  • 4 weeks paid Parental Leave
  • Employee assistance program (EAP)

EHS/Environmental Requirements:
This job operates in a professional office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee routinely is required to use hands to keyboard, communicate, listen to, and interpret instructions and remain stationary for extended periods of the time. This would require the ability to move around the campus and occasionally move/lift items weighing up to 25 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Applicants are invited to apply for a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential duties of the job. To apply, send a request to staffing@arka.org or contact 203-797-5000 and press 2 for Human Resources.
ITC & Security Clearance Requirements:
This position requires an active TS/SCI with CI Poly U.S. Government Security Clearance.
Visa Restrictions:
No visa sponsorship is available for this position.
Pre-employment Screenings:
Employment with any ARKA companies in the U.S. is contingent upon satisfactory completion of several pre-employment requirements to include a credit check, background check, and drug screen.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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