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Software System Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Engineer to join our Supercomputing team to help ... Architect and implement low-level control-plane software responsible for system bring-up ...

We are seeking a versatile Sr. Software System Engineer with end-to-end expertise to accelerate the exploration of new concepts. In this role, you will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of ...

IAM System Developer II

San Diego, CA · On-site

$57.74 - $74.49/hr

Engage in code review and unit testing activities in alignment with our Software Development Life ... Provide technical mentorship to IAM System Developer I and IAM Analysts. * Problem Resolution ...

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES The Client is looking for a Senior Software Developer Lead, to join our Space Mission Systems (SMS) team, focused on leading a small software development team located in ...

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Software System Developer information

What is a software system developer?

Software system developers are professionals who design, build, test, and maintain the underlying software and systems that power computers and networks. They focus on developing operating systems, network distribution software, and other system-level applications that support the functionality of user-facing programs and hardware. Their work ensures that various software components integrate smoothly and operate efficiently, often collaborating with hardware engineers, programmers, and IT specialists. This role requires strong problem-solving skills, knowledge of programming languages, and an understanding of computer architecture and system design.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a software system developer?

To thrive as a Software System Developer, you need strong programming skills, problem-solving abilities, and a solid background in computer science or a related field, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with programming languages (such as Java, C++, or Python), version control systems like Git, and knowledge of software development methodologies are essential, and certifications in areas like cloud computing or security can be advantageous. Outstanding analytical thinking, teamwork, and effective communication skills will set you apart in collaborative and fast-paced environments. These skills and qualities are vital for building robust, efficient software solutions and ensuring successful project delivery.

What are some common challenges faced by software system developers when integrating new technologies into existing systems?

Software System Developers often encounter challenges when integrating new technologies, such as ensuring compatibility with legacy systems, managing data migration, and minimizing downtime during transitions. They must thoroughly assess existing infrastructure and plan for potential bottlenecks or conflicts that may arise. Effective collaboration with cross-functional teams, detailed documentation, and thorough testing are crucial for a smooth integration process. Staying adaptable and proactive in learning new frameworks or tools also helps address these challenges efficiently.

What is the difference between Software System Developer vs Software Engineer?

AspectSoftware System DeveloperSoftware Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in CS or related field, certifications like Microsoft or AWSBachelor's or higher in CS or related, certifications vary
Work EnvironmentDevelops and maintains software systems, often in teams or projectsDesigns, develops, tests, and maintains software solutions, often across projects
Industry UsageCommon in IT, enterprise, and software development companiesWidely used across tech, finance, healthcare, and other industries

Software System Developers focus on creating and maintaining specific software systems, while Software Engineers design and develop broader software solutions. Both roles require similar credentials and often work in similar environments, but their scope and responsibilities can differ based on project needs.

Infographic showing various Software System Developer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution.

System Software Engineer

San Jose, CA • On-site

$2.0K/mo

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Key responsibilities

  • Architect and implement low-level control-plane software responsible for system bring-up, configuration, and management of cluster-scale AI compute deployments

  • Build system services that interact directly with hardware, firmware, and the operating system

  • Develop telemetry, logging, and tracing infrastructure for diagnosing failures and driving performance improvements


Job description

About Etched

Etched is building the world’s first AI inference system purpose-built for transformers - delivering over 10x higher performance and dramatically lower cost and latency than a B200. With Etched ASICs, you can build products that would be impossible with GPUs, like real-time video generation models and extremely deep & parallel chain-of-thought reasoning agents. Backed by hundreds of millions from top-tier investors and staffed by leading engineers, Etched is redefining the infrastructure layer for the fastest growing industry in history.

Job Summary

Etched is building at-scale AI systems that will unlock faster, more efficient inference for billions of people, and the Supercomputing team is critical in enabling this mission. We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Engineer to join our Supercomputing team to help build the foundational software that powers our cluster-scale AI compute deployments. This role on the core team involves the development, integration, and debugging of critical system components, including on control-plane software, system bring-up, telemetry, orchestration primitives, and performance tuning at the hardware–software boundary.

Key Responsibilities
  • Architect and implement low-level control-plane software responsible for system bring-up, configuration, and management of cluster-scale AI compute deployments
  • Build system services that interact directly with hardware, firmware, and the operating system
  • Develop telemetry, logging, and tracing infrastructure for diagnosing failures and driving performance improvements
  • Implement orchestration primitives for managing devices, nodes, and racks
  • Profile and tune performance across PCIe, memory, networking, kernel, and runtime layers
  • Collaborate closely with hardware, firmware, kernel, and runtime teams to co-design system interfaces and behavior
You may be a good fit if you have
  • Strong proficiency in C/C++ or Rust for low-level systems programming
  • Deep understanding of Linux internals, kernel/user-space boundaries, and system-level debugging
  • Experience working close to hardware: drivers, DMA, interrupts, memory management, or device control paths
  • Strong debugging skills using logs, tracing, and low-level observability tools
  • Strong communication skills and comfort collaborating across hardware and software teams
Strong candidates may also have experience with (Nice-to-have qualifications)
  • Experience with data center orchestration technologies such as Kubernetes and Docker
  • Experience with kernel development, device drivers, or firmware-adjacent software
  • Familiarity with PCIe, NUMA, networking, or high-speed interconnects
  • Experience with tracing and profiling tools such as perf, eBPF, ftrace, or custom instrumentation
  • Experience taking complex systems from early bring-up through stable operation
  • Background in HPC, AI infrastructure, or large-scale compute systems
  • Experience designing system test harnesses and failure-injection frameworks
  • Familiarity with Kubernetes or cluster orchestration at the node or control-plane level
Benefits
  • Medical, dental, and vision packages with generous premium coverage
    • $500 per month credit for waiving medical benefits
  • Housing subsidy of $2k per month for those living within walking distance of the office
  • Relocation support for those moving to San Jose (Santana Row)
  • Various wellness benefits covering fitness, mental health, and more
  • Daily lunch + dinner in our office
How we’re different

Etched believes in the Bitter Lesson. We think most of the progress in the AI field has come from using more FLOPs to train and run models, and the best way to get more FLOPs is to build model-specific hardware. Larger and larger training runs encourage companies to consolidate around fewer model architectures, which creates a market for single-model ASICs.

We are a fully in-person team in San Jose (Santana Row), and greatly value engineering skills. We do not have boundaries between engineering and research, and we expect all of our technical staff to contribute to both as needed.

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