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Senior Systems Software Engineer Jobs in California

Picarro, Inc

Systems Software Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$120K - $130K/yr

Systems Software Engineer Company: Picarro Location: Santa Clara, CA Education: Bachelor's Degree Required Position Overview Picarro is seeking a Systems Software Engineer to design, develop, and ...

Apple

Systems Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$183K - $217K/yr

The Product Integrity group is looking for a Systems Software Engineer to develop future products. As a member of the OS Diagnostics team you will develop and maintain software used to characterize ...

Picarro, Inc

Systems Software Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$120K - $130K/yr

Systems Software Engineer Company: Picarro Location: Santa Clara, CA Education: Bachelor's Degree Required Position Overview Picarro is seeking a Systems Software Engineer to design, develop, and ...

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Senior Systems Software Engineer information

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$86.4K

$133.5K

$187K

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

As of Aug 10, 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 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 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 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, 83% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,518 per year, or $64.2 per hour.

Senior Systems Software Engineer, Cloud Infrastructure and Development

Nvidia

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Nvidia rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

8th of 242 rated software companies

Job description

We are looking for a senior systems software engineer to improve the operation and user experience of distributed system infrastructure using AI. We are passionate about the opportunity to shape the future of the NVIDIA software platform! We want to develop next-generation AI-powered infrastructure that scales to run millions of requests and jobs on thousands of servers efficiently, reliably, and securely.

What you will be doing:

  • Design, build, test, deploy, and maintain software infrastructure APIs and services.

  • Collaborate effectively with peers and partners through brainstorming and review sessions to produce high-quality design, code, and documentation.

  • Review, recommend, and model best practices of distributed systems for reliability, performance, monitoring, security, compliance, interoperability, usability, correctness, consistency, simplicity, etc.

  • Support other NVIDIA teams in using this foundational infrastructure.

  • Debug production issues across services and multiple levels of the stack.

What we need to see:

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

  • More than 8 years dedicated to software engineering in one or more programming languages, including data structures and algorithms.

  • 2 years of experience designing, testing, maintaining and/or launching distributed systems.

Ways to stand out from the crowd:

  • Experience with Agentic AI frameworks and patterns.

  • Background with container technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.

  • Experience with DevOps tools such as Ansible, Terraform, and Jenkins.

  • Knowledge of the Java programming language and web frameworks such as Spring Boot.

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 184,000 USD - 287,500 USD for Level 4, and 224,000 USD - 356,500 USD for Level 5.

You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until August 4, 2026.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

What Nvidia employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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About Nvidia

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It's a unique legacy of innovation that's fueled by great technology--and amazing people. Today, we're tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what's never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world's best talent.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US

Year founded

1993

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