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System Software Engineer Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

Full-Stack Engineer (Denari) Location: Madison, WI (Hybrid) Employment Type: Full-time About Denari ... If you learn quickly, work hard, enjoy craft, and love building elegant systems that solve complex ...

Software Engineer (Java)

Madison, WI · On-site

$52.25 - $71.50/hr

Hands-on practical experience in system design, application development, testing, and operational stability * Strong core Java experience with clear understanding of advanced concepts in collection ...

Senior Software Engineer

Madison, WI · Remote

$125.40K - $165.30K/yr

Resource Innovations is seeking Senior Software Engineer to join our growing Software as a Service ... Working with and interpreting cloud-based monitoring and alerting systems (e.g. New Relic ...

Senior Software Engineer

Madison, WI

$123.40K - $162.70K/yr

Resource Innovations is seeking Senior Software Engineer to join our growing Software as a Service ... Working with and interpreting cloud-based monitoring and alerting systems (e.g. New Relic ...

Senior Software Engineer

Madison, WI · On-site +1

$123.40K - $162.70K/yr

Resource Innovations is seeking Senior Software Engineer to join our growing Software as a Service ... Working with and interpreting cloud-based monitoring and alerting systems (e.g. New Relic ...

Sr Software Engineer

Madison, WI

$123.50K - $162.80K/yr

Contribute to unit, system, and automated platform test strategies * Endpoint and regression ... software bugs and incorrect behaviors of systems information provided by applications engineers ...

Sr Software Engineer

Madison, WI · On-site

$123.50K - $162.80K/yr

Contribute to unit, system, and automated platform test strategies * Endpoint and regression ... software bugs and incorrect behaviors of systems information provided by applications engineers ...

Senior Staff Software Engineer

Madison, WI · On-site

$123.50K - $162.80K/yr

As a Senior Staff Software Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in expanding this platform ... systems. Founded in 2010, the company is headquartered in Austin, USA, with a team of 201-500 ...

... Software Engineer to join our Unified Telemetry team. This role involves creating seamless and ... Familiarity with telemetry, data pipelines, and other data tools used for large-scale systems.

Software Engineer

Madison, WI · Remote

$40 - $75/hr

Join the DataAnnotation team and contribute to developing cutting-edge AI systems, while enjoying ... other engineers -- who are driving real-world impact in AI development. Our platform offers an ...

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Showing results 1-20

System Software Engineer information

See Madison, WI salary details

$83.6K

$179.1K

$207.6K

How much do system software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for system software engineer in Madison, WI is $179,075.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $174,300.00 and $206,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a System Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a System Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills in languages like C, C++, or Rust, a deep understanding of operating systems, and typically a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with low-level debugging tools, version control systems (such as Git), and kernel development environments is essential. Analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies are crucial for building reliable, high-performance system software that underpins critical applications and infrastructure.

What are some common challenges System Software Engineers face when working on large-scale projects?

System Software Engineers working on large-scale projects often encounter challenges such as maintaining system stability while integrating new features, ensuring compatibility across diverse hardware platforms, and optimizing performance under heavy workloads. Coordinating with cross-functional teams, such as hardware engineers and application developers, is essential to address these complexities. Additionally, they must stay updated with evolving technologies and adhere to rigorous testing and debugging practices to prevent system failures.

What does a System Software Engineer do?

A System Software Engineer designs, develops, tests, and maintains the core software that enables computer hardware and system applications to function. This includes operating systems, device drivers, firmware, and other low-level software that interacts closely with hardware components. Their work ensures that systems run efficiently, securely, and reliably. They often collaborate with hardware engineers and application developers to optimize performance and troubleshoot complex technical issues.

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

AspectSystem Software EngineerSoftware Developer
CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or related field; often some experience with systems programmingBachelor's in Computer Science or related field; focus on application development
Work EnvironmentDesigning and maintaining operating systems, firmware, or system-level applicationsCreating user-facing applications, websites, or mobile apps
Industry UsageTech companies, hardware firms, embedded systemsSoftware firms, startups, enterprise applications
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles related to system-level programmingLooking for application or web development roles

System Software Engineers focus on developing and maintaining system-level software like operating systems and firmware, requiring knowledge of hardware and low-level programming. Software Developers typically create applications and user-facing software, emphasizing higher-level programming skills. Both roles often share similar educational backgrounds but differ in their work focus and environment.

Infographic showing various System Software Engineer job openings in Madison, WI as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $179,075 per year, or $86.1 per hour.

Software Engineer, Product Security

Johnson & Johnson

Whitewater, WI • On-site, Remote

$103K - $165.60K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago


Johnson & Johnson rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 99 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

32nd of 70 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com

Job Function:

R&D Product Development

Job Sub Function:

R&D Software/Systems Engineering

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:

Santa Clara, California, United States of America

Job Description:

About Surgery

Fueled by innovation at the intersection of biology and technology, we’re developing the next generation of smarter, less invasive, more personalized treatments.

Are you passionate about improving and expanding the possibilities of surgery? Ready to join a team that’s reimagining how we heal? Our Surgery team will give you the chance to deliver surgical technologies and solutions to surgeons and healthcare professionals around the world. Your contributions will help effectively treat some of the world’s most prevalent conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Patients are waiting.

Your unique talents will help patients on their journey to wellness. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/medtech

Remote work options may be considered on a case-by-case basis and if approved by the Company.

#Li-Hybrid

We are searching for the best talent for a Cybersecurity Software Engineer, to be in Santa Clara, CA.

Purpose: We are looking for an early in career Software Engineer who would help improve the software cybersecurity of our product. The position requires understanding of cybersecurity controls and deliverables, knowledge of C++ preferably in a Linux environment, and the ability to work closely with other software engineers as well as multi-functionally. The successful candidate is self-motivated, curious, and has the desire to bring the essential and best in class cybersecurity controls and implementations into the medical field.

You will be responsible for:

  • Designing, implementing, and testing software solutions for cybersecurity controls.
  • Defining software cybersecurity requirements and detailing the software design of the product based on cybersecurity requirements.
  • Performing software code reviews and design reviews with a cyber-lens.
  • Performing periodic risk assessment of security vulnerabilities in software for the product by identifying and analyzing software vulnerabilities
  • Developing recommendations to mitigate security risks in product software.
  • Developing product software using C++ and scripting languages such as bash in an FDA regulated environment.
  • Actively collaborating with cross-functional product partners including Product Security, systems, test and service teams.
  • Adhering to organization and product level quality processes outlined in the Quality Management System.

Qualifications / Requirements:

  • BS or equivalent in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent field.
  • 2+ years of software development and testing experience.
  • 2+ years of experience with software development using C++.
  • 1+ years of experience implementing software controls for product/IOT cybersecurity.
  • Knowledge of cybersecurity concepts such as encryption, authentication and authorization.
  • Working knowledge of Linux Ubuntu and understanding security controls provided by the operating system.
  • Experience of working with multi-threaded applications.
  • Familiarity with shell scripting languages including bash.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

  • MS/MEng in Cybersecurity, or similar field.
  • Familiarity with CI/CD tools and Dev-Sec-Ops tools and processes.
  • Experience working with Agile methodology as an individual contributor.
  • Experience analyzing security risks from sources such as penetration testing, threat modeling, vulnerability management etc.

Other Requirements:

  • Must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Ability to travel up to 10% domestic US and Internationally, with overnight stay.
  • Ability to work onsite at the J&J office in Santa Clara, CA.

The expected base pay range for this position is $89,000 to $143,750.

For the California Bay Area, the anticipated base pay range for this position is $103,000 to $165,600.

The Company maintains highly competitive, performance-based compensation programs. Under current guidelines, this position is eligible for an annual performance bonus in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan. The annual performance bonus is a cash bonus intended to provide an incentive to achieve annual targeted results by rewarding for individual and the corporation’s performance over a calendar/performance year. Bonuses are awarded at the Company’s discretion on an individual basis.

Employees and/or eligible dependents may be eligible to participate in the following Company sponsored employee benefit programs: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, business accident insurance, and group legal insurance.

Employees may be eligible to participate in the Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).

This position is eligible to participate in the Company’s long-term incentive program.

Employees are eligible for the following time off benefits:

  • Vacation – up to 120 hours per calendar year.
  • Sick time - up to 40 hours per calendar year.
  • Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays – up to 13 days per calendar year.
  • Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year.

For additional general information on Company benefits, please go to: https://www.careers.jnj.com/employee-benefits

This job posting is anticipated to close on 4/30/25 The Company may however extend this time-period, in which case the posting will remain available on https://www.careers.jnj.com to accept additional applications.

Johnson & Johnson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Johnson and Johnson is committed to providing an interview process that is inclusive of our applicants’ needs. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation, please email the Employee Health Support Center (ra-employeehealthsup@its.jnj.com) or contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.


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