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Operating System Engineer Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

WorkNovas LLC

C++ Developer

Hillsboro, OR · On-site

$53.25 - $72/hr

A typical software engineer researches, designs, develops and tests operating systems-level software, compilers, and network distribution software for medical, industrial, military, communications ...

Orbotech

Customer Support Engineer

Hillsboro, OR

$25.15 - $42.75/hr

Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with ... Knowledge of computer theory, various operating systems, and applicable operating system software ...

KLA Corporation

Customer Support Engineer

Hillsboro, OR · On-site

$25.15 - $42.75/hr

Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with ... Knowledge of computer theory, various operating systems, and applicable operating system software ...

Akraya Inc.

Validation Engineer III

Hillsboro, OR · On-site

Software testing engineer who will performing day to day validation related activities including ... Past experience running Microsoft WHCK testing Strong knowledge of C++ , Windows operating system ...

Kla

Customer Support Engineer

Hillsboro, OR

$25.15 - $42.75/hr

Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with ... Knowledge of computer theory, various operating systems, and applicable operating system software ...

KLA Corporation

Customer Support Engineer

Hillsboro, OR · On-site

Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with ... Knowledge of computer theory, various operating systems, and applicable operating system software ...

Apple

CPU Design Verification Engineer

Beaverton, OR

$141K - $172K/yr

... Operating system knowledge Experience in post-silicon bringup Experience with advanced verification techniques such as formal Should be a great teammate with excellent communication skills and be ...

A-dec, Inc.

Software Engineer, Sr

Newberg, OR

$128K - $169K/yr

Overview This position is responsible for a portion of a total engineering project related to ... Experience working with Linux or a real-time operating system (RTOS). * Familiarity with UI ...

Apple

CPU Design Verification Engineer

Beaverton, OR

$141K - $172K/yr

... Operating system knowledge Experience in post-silicon bringup Experience with advanced verification techniques such as formal Should be a great teammate with excellent communication skills and be ...

Apple

CPU Design Verification Engineer

Beaverton, OR · On-site

$141K - $172K/yr

... Operating system knowledge Experience in post-silicon bringup Experience with advanced verification techniques such as formal Should be a great teammate with excellent communication skills and be ...

Apple

CPU Design Verification Engineer

Beaverton, OR · On-site

$141K - $172K/yr

... Operating system knowledge Experience in post-silicon bringup Experience with advanced verification techniques such as formal Should be a great teammate with excellent communication skills and be ...

A-dec, Inc.

Software Engineer, Sr

Newberg, OR · On-site

$128K - $169K/yr

Overview This position is responsible for a portion of a total engineering project related to ... Experience working with Linux or a real-time operating system (RTOS). * Familiarity with UI ...

Oregon Metro

Lead Operating Engineer

Portland, OR · On-site

$49.09 - $51.40/hr

Utilize and manage the Building Automation System (BAS) to monitor, troubleshoot, schedule, and ... Coordinate and assign daily work activities for Operating Engineers to ensure timely completion of ...

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Showing results 41-60

All JobsOperating System Engineer JobsOperating System Engineer Jobs in Portland, OR

Operating System Engineer information

See Portland, OR salary details

$56.7K

$134.9K

$177.1K

How much do operating system engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for operating system engineer in Portland, OR is $134,912.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $103,900.00 and $166,500.00 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?

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 Portland, OR? For Operating System Engineer jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Operating System Engineer jobs in Portland, OR look for? The top searched job categories for Operating System Engineer jobs in Portland, OR are:
What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Operating System Engineer jobs? Cities near Portland, OR with the most Operating System Engineer job openings:
Operating System Engineer jobs near you

C++ Developer

WorkNovas LLC

Hillsboro, OR • On-site

$53.25 - $72/hr

Contractor

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

Have a new role open for a software Developer 3 Specializing in linux and C++
HYBRID - Hillsboro, Oregon; 3 days onsite
Must have
1. Linux Kernal
2. C++
Job Description:
Top 3 Must-Have Hard Skills

  1. Strong experience in Linux kernel development and device driver programming (C, C++) - 5+ yrs
  2. Deep understanding of operating system internals, hardware-software interaction, and low-level debugging - 5+ yrs
  3. Proficiency with kernel build systems, version control (git), and open-source workflows - 5+ yrs

Typical Day in the Role
The primary function of this role is to apply advanced principles of computer science and engineering to the design, development, support, and maintenance of the Linux kernel and device drivers. The engineer will work on low-level software that enables hardware functionality, system stability, and performance across a variety of platforms and applications. • Key projects: → Develop, enhance, and maintain Linux kernel components to support new hardware features, improve performance, and ensure system reliability. → Design, implement, and debug device drivers for a range of hardware devices, ensuring seamless integration with the Linux kernel. → Troubleshoot and resolve kernel and driver issues, including performance bottlenecks, hardware compatibility problems, and system crashes. → Support production systems by monitoring kernel and driver health, responding to incidents, and implementing fixes as needed.
• Purpose of the Team: The team is responsible for developing a Linux based validation operating system used to validate Microsoft’s Cobalt SoC compute products for Azure platforms.
• Key projects: This role will contribute to supporting the release and validation of next generation Cobalt SoC products
Ideal Background of Candidates

strong c/c++ development skills and linux kernel knowledge.
Hard Skills Assessments
• Expected Dates that Hard Skills Assessments will be scheduled: asap
• Hard Skills Assessment Process: The assessment process will include one round panel style (2-3 FTE with the sponsor). One hour long.
• Required Candidate Preparation: NA
Summary:
The main function of a software engineer is to apply the principles of computer science and mathematical analysis to the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the software and systems that make computers work. A typical software engineer researches, designs, develops and tests operating systems-level software, compilers, and network distribution software for medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, scientific and general computing applications.
Job Responsibilities:
• Modify existing databases and database management systems.
• Write and code logical and physical database descriptions and specify identifiers of database to management system or direct others in coding descriptions.
• Work as part of a project team to coordinate database development and determine project scope and limitations.
• Review project requests describing database user needs to estimate time and cost required to accomplish project.
Skills:
• Verbal and written communication skills, problem solving skills, customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage one’s time.
• Basic mentoring skills necessary to provide support and constructive performance feedback.
• Knowledge of the full software development lifecycle: from business/systems analysis, through requirements gathering and functional specification authoring, to development, testing and delivery.
• Ability to troubleshoot issues and make system changes as needed to resolve issue.
• Knowledge of computer hardware and software.
• Knowledge of computer development software as it relates to systems, such as SQL, VisualBasic, etc.
Education/Experience:
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering or relevant field required.
• 5-7 years experience required.