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System Software Engineer Jobs in Pittsburgh, PA (NOW HIRING)

Cmu

Software Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA

We are seeking a Software Engineer to design, develop, and support mission-critical applications and data systems using Python and Microsoft SQL Server. Working closely with business stakeholders and ...

Eosenergystorage

Software Engineer

Turtle Creek, PA

S., and the core of our innovative systems that today provides utility, industrial, and commercial ... The Software Engineer is responsible for the design, development, implementation, testing and ...

Atria Group LLC

Software Engineer

Homestead, PA

Our company provides application analysis, design, development and programming, software engineering, systems development, testing, integration, and implementation, and management consulting services ...

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All JobsSystem Software Engineer JobsSystem Software Engineer Jobs in Pittsburgh, PA

System Software Engineer information

See Pittsburgh, PA salary details

$80.6K

$172.5K

$200K

How much do system software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for system software engineer in Pittsburgh, PA is $172,533.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $168,000.00 and $199,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior software engineers, especially those with extensive experience, specialized skills, or working in high-paying industries like finance or tech, can earn $300,000 or more annually. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, particularly at large tech companies or startups with significant funding.

What does a systems engineer do in software?

A systems engineer in software designs, develops, and maintains complex software systems, ensuring they function efficiently and reliably. They often work with system architecture, integration, and troubleshooting, using tools like scripting languages and version control. Strong problem-solving skills and knowledge of operating systems and networking are essential for this role.

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 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.

Will AI replace system engineers?

System software engineers design, develop, and maintain complex systems and rely on skills such as programming, troubleshooting, and system analysis. While AI can automate certain tasks like monitoring and routine maintenance, it is unlikely to fully replace system engineers, as their expertise is needed for system design, problem-solving, and adapting to new technologies. AI tools serve as assistants to enhance efficiency rather than replace the role entirely.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior software engineers, especially those working in high-demand areas like technology or finance, can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills in programming and system design, and working at large tech companies or startups with significant growth potential.

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.

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 are popular job titles related to System Software Engineer jobs in Pittsburgh, PA? For System Software Engineer jobs in Pittsburgh, PA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching System Software Engineer jobs in Pittsburgh, PA look for? The top searched job categories for System Software Engineer jobs in Pittsburgh, PA are:
System Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various System Software Engineer job openings in Pittsburgh, PA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $172,533 per year, or $82.9 per hour.
Software Engineer

Software Engineer

Software Engineering Institute

Pittsburgh, PA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

About the role:
We are seeking a Software Engineer to design, develop, and support mission-critical applications and data systems using Python and Microsoft SQL Server. Working closely with business stakeholders and technical teams, you'll build reliable, scalable, and user-focused solutions that support our organization's mission.
We're looking for a curious, growth-oriented engineer who takes ownership, solves complex problems, and continuously builds expertise in our systems and business. You balance independent initiative with collaboration, communicate effectively, and make thoughtful technical decisions with long-term impact in mind.
You approach software development with a user-centered, product-focused mindset and leverage modern AI-assisted development tools to improve engineering productivity, software quality, and user outcomes.
What You'll Do:
Software Development
  • Design, develop, test, and maintain applications and services using Python.
  • Build and support RESTful APIs; experience with FastAPI, OpenAPI/Swagger, or similar frameworks is preferred.
  • Write clean, maintainable, and scalable code following established engineering best practices.
  • Participate in code reviews and help maintain high standards for quality, consistency, and reliability.
  • Improve application performance, automation, and development processes through continuous refinement and innovation.
  • Leverage AI-assisted development tools responsibly to improve productivity, code quality, and user outcomes.

Database Engineering
  • Design, develop, and maintain SQL Server databases, queries, stored procedures, functions, views, and jobs.
  • Analyze and optimize database performance using indexing, query tuning, and execution plan analysis.
  • Troubleshoot database issues and support production problem resolution.
  • Monitor scheduled jobs, data processing workflows, and system integrations to ensure reliable operation.
  • Collaborate with database administrators and infrastructure teams to maintain performance, availability, and data integrity.

Collaboration and Technical Leadership
  • Partner with business stakeholders and technical teams to understand requirements, evaluate tradeoffs, and deliver effective solutions.
  • Participate in architecture, design, engineering, and change management discussions.
  • Create and maintain technical documentation, including system architecture, data flows, process diagrams, and operational procedures.
  • Mentor junior engineers through technical guidance, code reviews, and knowledge sharing.
  • Help establish and maintain Python development standards and engineering best practices.
  • Take ownership of technical challenges while balancing user experience, business needs, reliability, security, and long-term maintainability.

Who You Are:
You enjoy solving challenging problems and building software that delivers meaningful value. You are comfortable working across the full software development lifecycle-from requirements and design through implementation, deployment, and production support.
You communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences, value collaboration, and take pride in delivering reliable, maintainable solutions.
Required Qualifications:
  • Professional experience developing software with Python.
  • Experience working with Microsoft SQL Server, including complex queries, stored procedures, functions, and performance optimization.
  • Experience designing and consuming RESTful APIs.
  • Strong understanding of software engineering principles, design patterns, testing practices, and source control.
  • Ability to analyze complex technical and business problems and develop practical, scalable solutions.

How You Work:
  • Curious and eager to learn new technologies, systems, and business domains.
  • Builds institutional knowledge to better understand users, systems, and organizational goals.
  • Takes ownership, works independently, and knows when to seek guidance.
  • Communicates clearly and collaborates effectively across technical and business teams.
  • Values documentation, maintainability, and long-term system health alongside feature delivery.

How You Think:
  • Focuses on user needs and business outcomes when making technical decisions.
  • Considers reliability, security, scalability, and maintainability as core engineering responsibilities.
  • Embraces an AI-native approach to software engineering, using modern AI tools to accelerate learning, improve quality, and enhance productivity.
  • Continuously looks for opportunities to improve products, processes, and team effectiveness.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with FastAPI, OpenAPI/Swagger, or similar frameworks.
  • Experience mentoring developers or providing technical leadership.
  • Experience working in Agile environments.
  • Experience with enterprise applications, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, or containerized deployments.

Why Join Us:
We're looking for engineers who take ownership, enjoy figuring things out, and are committed to building software that makes a meaningful impact. If you're excited by challenging technical problems, continuous learning, collaborative teamwork, and creating solutions that improve the experience of our users, we'd love to hear from you.
Who we are:
The SEI helps advance software engineering principles and practices and serves as a national resource in software engineering, computer security, and process improvement. The SEI works closely with defense and government organizations, industry, and academia to continually improve software-intensive systems. Its core purpose is to help organizations improve software engineering capabilities and develop or acquire the right software, defect-free, within budget and on time, every time.
The Development Team works collaboratively with IT, business leaders, and technical staff to create enterprise-level business solutions that help the organization maintain and evolve technologies, business processes, and architectures to deliver a cohesive, and integrated business platform that constantly improves our organizational performance.
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Job Function
Software/Applications Development/Engineering
Position Type
Staff - Regular
Full time/Part time
Full time
Pay Basis
SalaryMore Information:
  • Please visit "Why Carnegie Mellon" to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
  • Click here to view a listing of employee benefits
  • Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.
  • Statement of Assurance

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