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Senior Systems Software Engineer Jobs in California

About The Role We're looking for a Senior Systems Software Engineer who can take ownership of the reliability, automation, and evolution of our core systems. You'll work across the stack, with a ...

As a Senior Systems Software Engineer at TCI, you will contribute to the design and development of advanced RF signal acquisition, processing, analysis, and direction-finding systems used for ...

Sr. Systems Software Engineer

Fremont, CA ยท On-site

$175 - $195/hr

As a Senior Systems Software Engineer at TCI, you will contribute to the design and development of advanced RF signal acquisition, processing, analysis, and direction-finding systems used for ...

Senior Systems Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site +1

$145K - $195K/yr

Able to operate autonomously and work asynchronously, while also being an effective team player About The Role We're looking for a Senior Systems Software Engineer who can take ownership of the ...

Senior Systems Software Engineer - QoS

Santa Clara, CA ยท On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

We're looking for a Senior Systems Software Engineer with strong C++ experience and familiarity with streaming technologies. You will help to improve the quality of experiences for GeForce Now and ...

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Showing results 1-20

Senior Systems Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$86.4K

$133.5K

$187K

How much do senior systems software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior systems software engineer in California is $133,518.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,600.00 and $157,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior systems software engineer?

A Senior Systems Software Engineer is an experienced professional who designs, develops, and maintains system-level software such as operating systems, embedded systems, and network protocols. They are responsible for ensuring that software interacts efficiently with hardware, optimizing performance, and troubleshooting complex issues. Senior engineers often lead technical projects, mentor junior team members, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver robust software solutions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior systems software engineer?

To thrive as a Senior Systems Software Engineer, you need deep expertise in computer science, operating systems, and programming languages like C/C++, often supported by a relevant degree and extensive experience. Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Git), build automation tools, and debugging/profiling utilities is typically required, and certifications in systems programming or cloud platforms can be advantageous. Exceptional problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills set standout engineers apart by enabling them to navigate complex systems and coordinate effectively with cross-functional teams. These skills are vital for building robust, efficient software solutions that meet business and technical requirements in demanding environments.

What are some common challenges faced by senior systems software engineers and how can they be addressed?

Senior Systems Software Engineers often encounter challenges such as integrating legacy systems with modern technologies, optimizing system performance under tight resource constraints, and ensuring robust security in complex environments. These challenges can be addressed by staying current with industry best practices, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams (like DevOps and Security), and regularly participating in code reviews and architecture discussions. Leveraging automation tools and maintaining thorough documentation also help in efficiently managing and scaling large, distributed systems.

What cities in California are hiring for Senior Systems Software Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Senior Systems Software Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Systems Software Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,518 per year, or $64.2 per hour.

Senior Systems/Software Engineer

ANSOL, Inc.

San Diego, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

Senior Systems/Software Engineer Opening

ANSOL needs a Senior Systems/Software Engineer to support its customer – Naval Information Warfare Systems Atlantic (NIWC LANT) Tactical Networks Program Office (PMW 110).  The ideal candidate will have a strong background in software engineering, systems engineering, defining quantitative matrices to select optimal technologies, and lead proof-of-concept (PoC) pilots to validate technical viability for the Navy’s tactical networks. A key part of this role will be piloting, designing, and building the systems and infrastructure that collect, store, and transform data. We are seeking someone who is excited at the prospect of working on complex projects and working with a team to solve technical challenges.


Job Description

A successful candidate will have the ability to evaluate trade-studies and prototype candidate software architecture and third-party solutions. They will be able to define quantitative matrices to select optimal technologies and lead proof-of-concept (PoC) pilots to validate technical viability. The candidate will also be able to develop automated deployment pipelines and Infrastructure-as-Code templates using scripts and orchestration tools to automate repetitive data tasks, reducing manual intervention and error rates. They will also have the ability to provide recommendations for data engineering best practices and process improvement to alleviate or eliminate issues or problems identified by various stakeholders. An effective candidate will partner with other engineering groups to understand a wide variety of data requirements, refine legacy processes, and work with leadership to align technical IT infrastructure with mission objectives. They will design and optimize data architectures to improve performance, cost efficiency, security, and scalability for the Navy’s enterprise. In addition, the candidate will prepare technical documentation and present architecture proposals to engineering teams, as well as contribute to team objectives and support data engineering initiatives.


Job Location

This position requires Candidates be in the Charleston, SC or San Diego, CA areas. If in San Diego, CA, it will be a hybrid work location. If in Charleston, SC, it will be remote.


Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop automated deployment pipelines and Infrastructure-as-Code templates using scripts and orchestration tools to automate repetitive data tasks, reducing manual intervention and error rate
  • Design and optimize data architectures to improve performance, cost-efficiency, security, and scalability for the Enterprise
  • Evaluate trade-studies and prototype candidate software architectures and third-party solutions; define quantitative matrices to select optimal technologies and lead proof-of-concept (PoC) pilots to validate technical viability.
  • Provide recommendations for data engineering best practices and process improvements to alleviate or eliminate issues or problems identified by various stakeholders
  • Contribute to team objectives and support data engineering initiatives
  • Prepare technical documentation and present architecture proposals to engineering teams
  • Evaluate IT Hardware and Software Product roadmaps for modernization opportunities
  • Evaluate total cost of ownership metrics to facilitate decision making processes
  • Partner with other engineering groups to understand a wide variety of data requirements, refine legacy processes, and work with leadership to align technical IT infrastructure with mission objectives


Skills and Qualifications:

Required

·  3-5 years' experience supporting data engineering efforts and initiatives

·  Experienced with Windows and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) operating systems, including system integration and configuration

·  Proven expertise in modern IT principles, including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), CI/CD pipelines, and cloud-integrated applications

·  Strong understanding of Zero Trust security concepts and familiarity with enabling technologies such as ZTNA, SASE, ICAM, MFA, and SOAR

·  Experience with automation and configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible, Terraform, Puppet)

·  Experience with scripting languages (e.g., Python, PowerShell)

·  Knowledge of modern enterprise architectures, including RESTful APIs, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and Software-Defined Networking (SDN)

·  Working knowledge of Agile methodology and DevOps practices

·  Experience with data orchestration tools (Apache Nifi)

·  Experience with open-source monitoring and observability architectures to include Grafana LGTM+ Stack and Elastic (ELK) Stack

·  Experience with high-performance, open-source networking infrastructure tools (Nginx, Apache APISIX)

·  Strong documentation and communication skills to work effectively across technical teams

·  Collaborative mindset with ability to work in fast-paced environments

·  Self-motivated with strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail

·  Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously

·  Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience

·  Active DoW Secret Clearance or higher

Desired

·  Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or related field

·  5+ years' experience in data engineering roles

·  Experience with CI/CD tools (Jenkins, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions)

·  Proficiency with version control systems and collaborative development tools

·  Experience with configuration management and automation platforms (Ansible, Chef, Puppet, etc.)

·  Experience with data engineering design and visualization tools (Swagger)

·  Knowledge of microservices architecture and serverless computing

·  Knowledge of Network Monitoring, Visualization, and orchestration tools (Solarwinds, Splunk, Secure Network Analytics, etc.)

·  Knowledge of DoW Cyber Security requirements

·  Knowledge of DoN IT Architecture, Configurations, and Processes

Company Description

ANSOL, Inc. provides consulting services to multiple Department of War (DoW) customers. As a small business, ANSOL specializes in systems engineering and integration, program and financial management, cybersecurity, and tailored software solutions. ANSOL provides competitive salaries based on skills and experience, as well as comprehensive benefits, and is an equal opportunity employer. For more information on ANSOL, Inc. please visit: https://www.ansolinc.com/


ANSOL logo

About ANSOL

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

San Diego, CA, US

Year founded

1988