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Windows Driver Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Windows C++ Developer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$57.50 - $77.50/hr

NET and C# programming is a PLUS - Experience with Bluetooth LE protocol on any platform - Experience developing public-facing APIs - Knowledge of Windows internals or Driver development - Knowledge ...

215243 Windows C++ Developer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$57.50 - $77.50/hr

Essential Object Oriented Programming skills including concurrency, multi-threading, defensive ... Knowledge of Windows internals or Driver development * Knowledge of scripting languages and shell ...

System Software Engineer - GPU and SOC

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$203K - $240K/yr

As a GPU/SOC system software engineer, you will work with a team of very dedicated software and ... Windows Driver Models, with WDDM or MCDM a strong plus. * Familiarity with system level security ...

GPU Software Development Engineer

Folsom, CA · On-site

$111K - $181K/yr

Position Overview We are looking for a Graphics Software Engineer where the key goal will be to ... Debugging Windows Driver Model (WDM/WDF), Kernel Mode Driver * Understanding of media codecs and ...

New

System Software Engineer - GPU and SOC

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$203K - $240K/yr

As a GPU/SOC system software engineer, you will work with a team of very dedicated software and ... Background and strength with system-level (SW and HW) debugging is invaluable Windows Driver Models ...

#Windows Performance Engineer, Senior

San Diego, CA · On-site

$148K/yr

... Drivers, Assembly Language, CPU microarchitecture and SoC/Memory/Bus architecture. As a Windows Performance Developer, you'll be owning and driving analysis of complex system level performance ...

GPU Driver Lead

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$175K - $250K/yr

Lead the development of User & Kernel Mode Drivers that can be executed on a host CPU running Windows or Linux, or embedded on a RISC-V CPU running Linux * Lead an internal team of driver engineers ...

Showing results 21-40

Windows Driver Developer information

See California salary details

$59.7K

$133.2K

$220.6K

How much do windows driver developer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for windows driver developer in California is $133,202.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $108,600.00 and $157,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Windows driver developer?

A Windows Driver Developer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining device drivers that enable hardware components to communicate with the Windows operating system. They work with low-level programming languages like C and C++, using frameworks such as the Windows Driver Kit (WDK). Their role often involves debugging, optimizing performance, and ensuring compatibility with different Windows versions. These developers collaborate with hardware engineers and software teams to ensure seamless hardware functionality.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Windows driver developer?

A Windows Driver Developer should have strong proficiency in C/C++ programming, solid knowledge of Windows operating system internals, and experience with kernel-mode software development. Familiarity with tools like Visual Studio, Windows Driver Kit (WDK), and version control systems, as well as certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Windows Developer Associate, are highly valued. Attention to detail, effective problem-solving, and the ability to communicate technical concepts clearly are crucial soft skills for the role. These skills enable developers to create robust, secure, and high-performance drivers that integrate seamlessly with complex hardware and software ecosystems.

What are some typical challenges faced by Windows driver developers in their day-to-day work?

Windows Driver Developers commonly encounter challenges such as debugging low-level kernel issues, ensuring compatibility across different hardware configurations, and maintaining system stability while integrating new drivers. They must often troubleshoot complex interactions between hardware, the Windows operating system, and other software components, which can require deep diagnostic skills and careful attention to system logs. Collaborating with hardware engineers, QA testers, and other software developers is usually a regular part of the job to ensure seamless functionality and address issues quickly. Despite these challenges, the role offers opportunities to work on technically interesting problems and contribute to high-impact system components.

What are the most commonly searched types of Windows Driver Developer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Windows Driver Developer jobs in California are:

What job categories do people searching Windows Driver Developer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Windows Driver Developer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Windows Driver Developer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Windows Driver Developer job openings:

Infographic showing various Windows Driver Developer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, and 21% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $133,202 per year, or $64 per hour.

System Level Software Engineer - Driver Development - 2784 -OJO

Right Talent Right Now

Los Angeles, CA

$186K - $220K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

Job Description

System Level Software Engineer - Driver Development - 2784








Job Ref.: 2784




Job Title: System Level Software Engineer - Driver Development




Role: Information Technology




Relocation Available: Yes




Industry: I.T.




Location: South Carolina




Town / City: Greer




Job Type: Permanent full-time




Job description:




Company develops custom system level software, including device drivers, firmware, embedded applications, protocol stacks, board support packages, and custom interfaces. They specialize in wireless communications for military and embedded systems.




They are seeking a talented Software Development professional who specializes in system-level development (device drivers, firmware, embedded systems) to serve as a key member of the engineering team. This individual will be responsible for developing and supporting user mode applications, device drivers, and firmware for a wide variety of systems, including networking and communication hardware and software products. These responsibilities include the design and development of protocols and algorithms for a variety of technologies, including USB, PCI, 802. WLAN, Ethernet, VoIP, Bluetooth, cellular, and broadband communications. This individual must be able to communicate effectively with clients and be attentive to customer satisfaction.




Windows Kernel and/or Driver Programming experience (XP, Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8) or current Linux Kernel Driver programming experience.




6-8+ years C, C+ programming experience.




6-8+ years of application development experience




Excellent written and verbal communications skills




Strong debugging skills




Superior problem solving abilities 




Ability to work independently or as part of a team







Required Education: Bachelors or Masters in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Science. 







Desired Skills (not required)




WinDBG




embedded Linux




Experience with multiple Linux distributions (Montavista, Ubuntu, OpenEmbedded, Red Hat, Buildroot, etc.) 




Embedded Linux development for a variety of platforms (ARM, MIPS, x86, PowerPC, etc.) and board support packages.




Experience writing software that interfaces with hardware (one or more of the following: device drivers, firmware, embedded systems).




Experience with real time and multithreaded applications




Experience performing architectural definition, documentation, and development at the system level




Reverse Engineering (IDA Pro, Ollydbg, etc.) 




Communication protocol experience (designing, implementing)




Experience writing software that interfaces with hardware (one or more of the following: device drivers, firmware, embedded systems)







Clearance Required: Candidate must be a U.S. Citizen in order to meet the minimum requirement to obtain the required clearance.




Bottom Line Requirements:




1. Bachelors or Masters in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or related.




2. Windows Kernel or Driver Programming experience (XP, Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8) or current Linux Kernel Driver programming experience.




3. 6-8+ years C, C+ programming experience.




4. 6-8+ years of application development experience.




5. US Citizen able to obtain clearance.





Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.