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Systems Software Engineer Jobs in Milpitas, CA (NOW HIRING)

Systems Software Engineer

Santa Clara, CA ยท On-site

$120K - $130K/yr

Systems Software Engineer Company: Picarro Location: Santa Clara, CA (Onsite) Education: Bachelor's Degree Required Position Overview Picarro is seeking a Systems Software Engineer to design, develop ...

Systems Software Engineer

Santa Clara, CA ยท On-site

$120K - $130K/yr

Systems Software Engineer Company: Picarro Location: Santa Clara, CA (Onsite) Education: Bachelor's Degree Required Position Overview Picarro is seeking a Systems Software Engineer to design, develop ...

Systems Software Engineer

Redwood City, CA ยท On-site

$211K - $251K/yr

As a Systems Software Engineer, you will focus on the runtime systems that support robot perception, machine learning, controls, and behavior, while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ...

Systems Software Engineer

Redwood City, CA ยท On-site

$211K - $251K/yr

As a System Software Engineer, you'll focus on the runtime itself which encompasses the IPC layer, performance, scheduling, observability, logging and replay infrastructure that the rest of the robot ...

Systems Software Engineer

Campbell, CA ยท On-site

$200K - $237K/yr

Position Summary The Systems Software Engineer is expected to develop, document, maintain and optimize medical graphical display software in C/C++ for Windows and Linux environments as part of the R& ...

Systems Software Engineer

Santa Clara, CA ยท On-site

$120K - $130K/yr

Systems Software Engineer Company: Picarro Location: Santa Clara, CA (Onsite) Education: Bachelor's Degree Required Position Overview Picarro is seeking a Systems Software Engineer to design, develop ...

Systems Software Engineer

Campbell, CA ยท On-site

$200K - $237K/yr

Position Summary The Systems Software Engineer is expected to develop, document, maintain and optimize medical graphical display software in C/C++ for Windows and Linux environments as part of the R& ...

Systems Software Engineer

Campbell, CA ยท On-site

$200K - $237K/yr

Position Summary The Systems Software Engineer is expected to develop, document, maintain and optimize medical graphical display software in C/C++ for Windows and Linux environments as part of the R& ...

Systems Software Engineer

Santa Clara, CA ยท On-site

$120K - $130K/yr

Systems Software Engineer Company: Picarro Location: Santa Clara, CA (Onsite) Education: Bachelor's Degree Required Position Overview Picarro is seeking a Systems Software Engineer to design, develop ...

SoC Systems Software Engineer

Cupertino, CA ยท On-site

$213K - $252K/yr

We are looking for system software engineer to architect, build and maintain system software that powers our current and next generation of system level test and ATE equipment. The ideal candidate ...

SoC Systems Software Engineer

Cupertino, CA ยท On-site

$213K - $252K/yr

We are looking for system software engineer to architect, build and maintain system software that powers our current and next generation of system level test and ATE equipment. The ideal candidate ...

We are looking for system software engineer to architect, build and maintain system software that powers our current and next generation of system level test and ATE equipment. The ideal candidate ...

We are looking for system software engineer to architect, build and maintain system software that powers our current and next generation of system level test and ATE equipment. The ideal candidate ...

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Systems Software Engineer information

See Milpitas, CA salary details

$96.7K

$207.1K

$240.1K

How much do systems software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for systems software engineer in Milpitas, CA is $207,109.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $201,600.00 and $238,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a systems software engineer?

Systems Software Engineers are professionals who design, develop, test, and maintain the underlying software that enables computer hardware and application software to function effectively. They work on operating systems, device drivers, embedded systems, and other foundational platforms, ensuring system stability, security, and performance. Their role often involves low-level programming, optimizing system resources, and collaborating with hardware engineers to create seamless integration between software and hardware components.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a systems software engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Systems Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills (typically in C, C++, or Rust), a deep understanding of operating systems, and a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with tools like Git, build systems (e.g., Make, CMake), kernel development environments, and sometimes relevant certifications (such as Linux Foundation Certified Engineer) is typical. Analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills that help you excel in complex, collaborative projects. These skills and qualities are crucial to designing robust, efficient system-level software that meets performance, reliability, and security standards.

How does a systems software engineer typically collaborate with hardware engineers and other technical teams?

Systems Software Engineers often work closely with hardware engineers to ensure that software integrates seamlessly with physical components. This collaboration may involve participating in cross-functional meetings, debugging issues at the hardware-software interface, and jointly optimizing system performance. Additionally, they coordinate with quality assurance and product teams to align on requirements, test plans, and release schedules. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as resolving complex, system-level challenges often requires input from multiple technical disciplines.

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

AspectSystems Software EngineerSoftware Developer
Primary FocusDesigning and developing system-level software, operating systems, and firmwareCreating applications, websites, and user-facing software
Required SkillsLow-level programming (C, C++), OS concepts, hardware interactionHigh-level programming (Java, Python, JavaScript), UI/UX design
Work EnvironmentOften in hardware or OS teams, embedded systems, or infrastructureApplication development teams, web or mobile app projects
CertificationsTypically none required, but Linux or OS certifications can helpOften certifications like Java, AWS, or specific language certifications

While both roles involve software development, Systems Software Engineers focus on system-level and hardware-interfacing software, whereas Software Developers create user-facing applications. The roles overlap in programming skills but differ in scope and environment.

More about Systems Software Engineer jobs

What are popular job titles related to Systems Software Engineer jobs in Milpitas, CA?

For Systems Software Engineer jobs in Milpitas, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Systems Software Engineer jobs in Milpitas, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Systems Software Engineer jobs in Milpitas, CA are:

What cities near Milpitas, CA are hiring for Systems Software Engineer jobs?

Cities near Milpitas, CA with the most Systems Software Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Systems Software Engineer job openings in Milpitas, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $207,109 per year, or $99.6 per hour.

Systems Software Engineer

Picarro, Inc

Santa Clara, CA โ€ข On-site

$120K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago


Job description

Systems Software Engineer

Company: Picarro
Location: Santa Clara, CA (Onsite)
Education: Bachelor's Degree Required

Position Overview

Picarro is seeking a Systems Software Engineer to design, develop, and maintain robust software systems that support scientific instrumentation and data-driven applications. This role requires strong software engineering fundamentals, experience building reliable and maintainable systems in Python and Linux environments, and a solid understanding of software development best practices.

The ideal candidate is comfortable working across system layers-from application logic to data processing-and can contribute to both software infrastructure and analytical workflows.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and maintain systems-level software in Python
  • Build reliable, testable, and maintainable code using modern software engineering practices
  • Develop and maintain unit tests and automated test frameworks
  • Work in collaborative Agile development environments using Git-based workflows
  • Develop and optimize system components running on Linux-based platforms
  • Build and support data pipelines, tools, and internal software frameworks
  • Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams (hardware, systems, data, and science teams)
  • Support debugging, performance tuning, and system reliability improvements
  • Contribute to architecture decisions and software design reviews

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or related field
  • Strong proficiency in Python with experience building production-quality software
  • Solid understanding of Linux operating systems and command-line tools
  • Experience with collaborative software development (Git, code reviews, Agile workflows)
  • Strong understanding of software engineering best practices (modularity, testing, documentation)
  • Experience writing unit tests and building testable software systems

Technical Skills

  • Advanced Python programming
  • Strong experience with software development workflows (Git, branching, CI/CD concepts)
  • Unit testing frameworks (pytest or equivalent)
  • Linux system usage and scripting
  • Familiarity with modern Python libraries and constructs, including but not limited to
    • NumPy
    • Pydantic
    • asyncio
    • typing
    • pathlib
    • itertools
    • collections
  • Ability to design clean, maintainable, and reusable software components

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience building or supporting scientific or instrumentation software systems
  • Exposure to data analysis, data modeling, or visualization workflows
  • Experience working in hardware-software integrated environments
  • Familiarity with performance optimization and debugging complex systems
  • Strong understanding of asynchronous programming concepts in Python
  • Experience contributing to shared software frameworks or platforms

The base salary range for this full-time position is $120K to $130K. Our total compensation packages include base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity. Your base salary range and title will be determined based on the location, experience, qualification, skills, knowledge, level, and pay of employees in similar positions.

We offer a comprehensive benefit package including:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
  • Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
  • Employee Referral Program
  • 401K
  • Social events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)
  • On-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu-shots, etc.)

About Picarro:
We are the world's leader in timely, trusted, and actionable data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Our solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including natural gas leak detection, ethylene oxide emissions monitoring, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, atmospheric science, air quality, greenhouse gas measurements, food safety, hydrology, ecology, and more. Our software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California and are used in over 90 countries worldwide based on over 65 patents related to cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology and are unparalleled in their precision, ease of use, and reliability.
At Picarro, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, social orientation, or disability. Posted positions are not open to third-party recruiters/agencies, and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals.
At Picarro, we strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact Picarro, Inc. atย disabilityassistance@picarro.comย for assistance.