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

Air

Lead Software Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

... execution system for government agencies and industrial suppliers. By revealing true capacity ... As the Software Engineering Lead at Air, you will be essential to crafting and implementing the ...

Air

Lead Software Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

... execution system for government agencies and industrial suppliers. By revealing true capacity ... As the Software Engineering Lead at Air, you will be essential to crafting and implementing the ...

Actalent

Senior Software Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA · Hybrid

$70 - $82/hr

Job Title: Software Engineer We are seeking a highly experienced Software Engineer with deep ... Analyze system requirements and translate them into software design specifications. * Perform ...

Actalent

Senior Software Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA · Hybrid

$70 - $82/hr

Job Title: Software Engineer We are seeking a highly experienced Software Engineer with deep ... Analyze system requirements and translate them into software design specifications. * Perform ...

Skild AI

Robotics Software Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

$100K - $300K/yr

Your work will entail building systems for navigation, planning and controls, SLAM, manipulation ... Deep understanding and practical experience with software engineering principles, including ...

Danaher

Software Engineer Internships

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

About Software Engineering Roles at Danaher Are you passionate about building real-world ... Supporting the development of console and embedded software systems * Troubleshooting issues and ...

Smith & Nephew

Senior Software Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

$118K - $156K/yr

Collaborate with designers, systems engineers, and other software engineers to deliver high-quality user experiences. * Participate in technical design discussions and review code for quality and ...

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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 Sep 2, 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 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.

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 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 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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $172,533 per year, or $82.9 per hour.

Lead Software Engineer

Air

Pittsburgh, PA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

Company Description
Air is the leader in Enterprise Readiness. Our mission is to establish readiness as a real-time condition that is continuously achieved. Today, a dangerous Readiness Gap exists between what the front line needs and what is delivered. Our AI-native platform, Air Enterprise Readiness, aligns development, production, delivery, and sustainment into one coordinated execution system for government agencies and industrial suppliers. By revealing true capacity, exposing real constraints, coordinating resources, and executing at the speed of operational demands, the front line gets what it needs to succeed.
 
Job Description
We are seeking a skilled and dedicated Software Engineering Lead to join our Engineering team. As the Software Engineering Lead at Air, you will be essential to crafting and implementing the software engineering processes and implementations within AIr.
 
In order to do this job well, you must be obsessed with quality, and efficiency, and love working with diverse technologies. You have a strong understanding of software engineering design principles, as well as a strong technical prowess. Our ideal candidate is someone who is energized by building scalable technology to support the defense and intelligence communities.
 
This role is a full-time position located out of our office in Pittsburgh, PA.
This role may require up to 10% travel
Scope of Responsibilities
  • Lead software engineering efforts from ideation through implementation as well as the day-to-day of a small team containing both front-end and back-end software engineers
  • Lead Agile ceremonies for the software engineering team
  • Establish coding and testing best practices and standards for Engineers
  • Develop, test, and deploy modern software applications and new features
  • Oversee the quality of Engineers' deliverables, such as coding, testing, debugging
  • Collaborate with Air's product team to turn business requirements into technical specifications 
  • Regularly seek out innovation and continuous improvement, finding efficiency in all assigned tasks
  • Collaborate with data engineers, data scientists, QA engineers, and DevOps engineers to improve the overall quality and performance of the platform
Qualifications
  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics or a related technical field 
Required Skills: 
  • 5 years of software development experience with an object-oriented programming language comparable to Java, C++, Python, C#, or Ruby
  • Hands-on experience with Spring Boot, Quarkus, or similar technologies
  • Knowledge of data structures, object-oriented design, algorithms, exception handling, and troubleshooting
  • Experience writing SQL and implementing database design
Desired Skills: 
  • Current possession of a U.S. security clearance, or the ability to obtain one with our sponsorship
  • Experience in or exposure to the nuances of a startup or other entrepreneurial environment
  • Previously experienced working in a product organization
We firmly believe that past performance is the best indicator of future performance.  If you thrive while building solutions to complex problems, are a self-starter, and are passionate about making an impact in global security, we're eager to hear from you.
 
AIr is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and protected veterans status or any other characteristic protected by law.

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