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Senior Systems Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Systems Software Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$202K - $240K/yr

San Jose, CA (Onsite) Duration: 6+ months contract Role and Responsibilities As a Senior System Software Engineer, you will join the GPU Software Validation team and help enhance and scale continuous ...

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 ...

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Senior Systems Software Engineer information

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$87.5K

$135.3K

$189.5K

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

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior systems software engineer in the United States is $135,290.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $106,000.00 and $160,000.00 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, and why are they important?

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 are hiring for Senior Systems Software Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Senior Systems Software Engineer job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Senior Systems Software Engineer jobs? The top employers for Senior Systems Software Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Systems Software Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Systems Software Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Senior Systems Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $135,290 per year, or $65 per hour.
Senior Systems Software Engineer

Senior Systems Software Engineer

Northwestern Mutual

Milwaukee, WI • Hybrid

$136K - $205K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Northwestern Mutual rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 71 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

144th of 262 rated insurance


Job description

About the Role

Northwestern Mutual is looking for a hardworking Platform Senior Systems Software Engineer to join our growing Kubernetes Platform team. The Kubernetes Platform team develops, maintains, loves, and appreciates all things containers. We enable hundreds of developers to harness the power of Kubernetes and the cloud to deploy outstanding apps and infrastructure on their own 1000s of times a day. This is a fun, fast-paced experience that exposes you to cutting-edge cloud technologies and encourages personal learning and development

What You'll Do in the Role

  • Demonstrate technical leadership by mentoring junior engineers

  • Proficiency in DevOps and Agile principles

  • Apply engineering standard methodologies to analyze and develop software solutions

  • Leverages established coding standards, best practices, and automation capabilities to develop solutions to support our users

  • Identify technical problems and develop software solutions and automation capabilities

  • Have the technical skill to review, verify, and validate the software code developed in the project

  • Strive for continuous improvement and build continuous integration and continuous development pipeline (CI/CD Pipeline)

What You'll Bring to the Role

  • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience

  • AWS or Docker or Kubernetes Certification Preferred

  • At least 4 years of working experience

  • 5+ years of professional IT experience

  • 3+ years' experience with AWS Cloud Services (AWS Certified Preferred), and containerized applications and container orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes – CKA Preferred)

  • 5+ years' experience with monitoring and performance management/tuning of systems

  • 5+ years' experience with networking and Linux based platforms

  • 5+ years' experience with modern programming and scripting languages (Python, JavaScript, etc.)

  • Experience with Infrastructure-as-Code frameworks (Terraform, CloudFormation)

  • Experience working with DevOps, CICD, GitOps, Agile methodologies

  • Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automation and how to apply it with services such as Gitlab CI, Jenkins, CodePipeline, or Circle CI

  • Understanding of certificates, firewalls, vulnerability management, authentication, and authorization

  • Experience with Unit Testing

  • Experience with Linux and Windows. Understanding how to install, configure and manage. Very comfortable with CLI

Skills You Have

  • Cloud & IT Infrastructure: Embraces, prioritizes, and applies DevOps principles and mindset to cybersecurity services and capabilities; leverages understanding of enterprise IT environment from operating system to networks and domain services and orchestrates applications and infrastructure through a pipeline approach.

  • Cloud Technology: Applies knowledge of cloud service platforms and delivery models to support, develop, adopt, secure, implement and evaluate end-to-end cloud solutions delivery and data storage instead of through traditional physical servers in a back office.

  • DevOps: Applies continuous integration and delivery to implement applications and services at a higher velocity.

  • Infrastructure Automation: Articulates and applies systems architecture and automation technologies to support and implement automation optimization and initiatives.

  • Programming Languages: Demonstrates proficiency in one or more programming languages to execute activities, tasks, practices, and deliverables associated with writing and modifying programs and scripts that comprise an application system; designs, codes, tests, and installs complex computer programs and maintains detailed documentation of programming tasks.

  • Software Engineering: Designs, develops, tests, documents and maintains software applications for the organization to use to process complex technical information. Demonstrates the ability to convert design specifications into functional software solutions that meet customer needs. Includes planning, designing, programming, debugging, testing, documenting and maintaining applications and services, using established coding standards and methodologies. Ensures that the code delivered is reusable and modular. Uses software development processes in which the smallest testable parts of an application (units) are individually and independently scrutinized for proper operation.

#LI-Hybrid

Compensation Range:

Pay Range - Start:

$118,960.00

Pay Range - End:

$178,440.00

Geographic Specific Pay Structure:

Structure 110:

$130,880.00 USD - $196,320.00 USD

Structure 115:

$136,800.00 USD - $205,200.00 USD

We believe in fairness and transparency. It’s why we share the salary range for most of our roles. However, final salaries are based on a number of factors, including the skills and experience of the candidate; the current market; location of the candidate; and other factors uncovered in the hiring process. The standard pay structure is listed but if you’re living in California, New York City or other eligible location, geographic specific pay structures, compensation and benefits could be applicable, click here to learn more.

Grow your career with a best-in-class company that puts our clients' interests at the center of all we do. Get started now!

Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes talented individuals of all backgrounds. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which each employee can contribute creative ideas, seek challenges, assume leadership and continue to focus on meeting and exceeding business and personal objectives.

Skills

Software Engineering (NM) - Advanced, Cloud & IT Infrastructure (NM) - Advanced, Analytical Thinking (NM) - Advanced, Technology Roadmap (NM) - Intermediate, CI/CD Processes (NM) - Advanced, DevOps (NM) - Advanced, Cross Functional Partnering & Planning (NM) - Intermediate, Site Reliability Engineering (NM) - Advanced, Customer Centricity (NM) - Intermediate, Strategic Thinking (NM) - Intermediate, Adaptive Communication (NM) - Intermediate, Business Application (NM) - Intermediate, Cloud Technology (NM) - Advanced, Infrastructure Automation (NM) - Advanced, Learning Agility & Critical Thinking (NM) - Advanced, Programming Languages (NM) - Advanced, Stakeholder Relationship (NM) - Intermediate, Agile Results Delivery (NM) - Intermediate

FIND YOUR FUTURE

We’re excited about the potential people bring to Northwestern Mutual. You can grow your career here while enjoying first-class perks, benefits, and our commitment to a culture of belonging.

  • Flexible work schedules
  • Concierge service
  • Comprehensive benefits
  • Employee resource groups
PandoLogic. Keywords: Senior Software Engineer, Location: Milwaukee, WI - 53205

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About Northwestern Mutual

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Northwestern Mutual has been helping families and businesses achieve financial security for over 160 years through a distinctive planning approach that integrates risk management with wealth accumulation, preservation, and distribution. With more than $290 billion in assets, $30 billion in revenues and more than $1.9 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than 4.6 million clients. People are the power behind Northwestern Mutual, and diversity makes us better. We are committed to reflecting and serving the marketplace. We do so by attracting and improving the engagement of those who bring their outstanding perspectives, ideas, and beliefs.

Industry

Finance and insurance

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Milwaukee, WI, US