System Software Developer Jobs
System Software Developer jobs are open across defense, enterprise technology, semiconductor, and automotive industries, from new-grad to principal and staff engineer, with specializations in operating systems, embedded systems, and compiler development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find JobsLooking for remote work? View remote system software developer jobs →Student or new grad? View system software developer internships →Overview
Showing 5 of 224+ System Software Developer jobs
Overview
At Ford, you’ll work on ideas that matter, alongside passionate people who want to make a global impact. Together, we’re shaping the next era of transportation—grounded in purpose, driven by progress. Make your move.
- Job Type: Full time
- Work Type: Hybrid
We are seeking an experienced Software Developer in Test to join the Verification & Validation team,
specializing in embedded systems with a focus on vehicle cloud and connectivity applications. As a
Software Developer in Test, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining automated
tests for our embedded software products. You will also be responsible for defining, decomposing, and
realizing feature, function, interface, and testing requirements and associated integration efforts for Ford’s
next-generation electronic systems and controls. You will lead the end-to-end integration and testing of
these systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to support product design, vehicle behavior
definition, prototype bring-up, and debugging. Join a team of knowledgeable and passionate engineers
striving to build robust and safety-rated systems, while ensuring the quality and reliability of our software
solutions.
What you'll do...
- Own, design, build, and maintain comprehensive automotive system-level test benches including
in-house developed Hardware-in-the-loop systems (HILs), ensuring their seamless integration of
hardware and software components for reliable and scalable test environments, with a strong
emphasis on Python-driven automation. - Develop comprehensive verification and validation plans, test plans, test cases, and test scripts to
rigorously validate functional, non-functional, performance, safety, and regression aspects of
automotive software systems and components. - Oversee and coordinate the development and validation of Distributed (e.g. Software, Electrical &
Mechanical) Features on all UEV programs. - Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams, including software developers (e.g. BMS,
Body Controls, Connectivity, etc), controls engineers, and systems engineers, to:- Interact with systems, hardware and software teams to develop test plans for major
vehicle features, collaborating with device owners, program teams, core engineers and
functional areas to create balanced solutions to competing requirements. - Execute test cases and test scripts, leveraging advanced Python automation to enhance
testing efficiency, accuracy, and repeatability across various testing phases. - Decompose functional and non-functional requirements to comprehensive test scenarios
that are actionable against V&V test platforms and test infrastructure. - Create a constant feedback loop between field issues and functional requirements and
test cases, ensuring that we are left-shifting testing and defect detection.
- Interact with systems, hardware and software teams to develop test plans for major
You'll have...
- Bachelor's, Master’s, or PhD degree in Electrical/Mechatronics Engineering, Computer Science,
or related field. - 7+ years of experience in software testing, preferably with embedded systems in the automotive
industry. - Experience in Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) tools such as dSPACE, Vector, NI, ETAS, etc
- Familiar with programming languages such as Python, Rust, or other relevant languages used in
embedded software development and verification. - Experience writing automated tests in test frameworks such as Pytest, Slash, Robot Framework,
or similar. - Strong understanding of electrical engineering fundamentals and ability to apply them to
automotive concepts - Experience with requirements capture in requirements management software platforms (JAMA,
Polarion, DOORs, etc.) - Strong experience debugging embedded systems at a module and/or system level, and the ability
to triage nightly regression failures. - Experience with software testing tools, frameworks, and methodologies (e.g., requirements-driven
test development, unit testing, integration testing, system testing, automated testing). - Experience designing/integrating/validating embedded software features across one or more of
the following domains: network communication, cloud and connectivity, multimedia, infotainment,
Android/iOS, and low-voltage power distribution. - A systems approach to design and development, with an eagerness for continuous improvement
and collaborative, cross-functional teamwork in a dynamic environment. - Excellent teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and project management skills
Even better, you may have...
- Electrical Systems Engineering experience including understanding of systems engineering V
model. - Experience with Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Hazard Analysis and Risk
Assessment (HARA). - Familiarity with common electronic components and comfort reading circuit design
schematics & data sheets. - Ability to work independently on technical tasks, effective troubleshooting, and problem-
solving with minimal supervision. - Strong written and verbal communication, and teamwork skills.
- A systems approach to design and development with the desire and curiosity to strive for
exceptional delivery execution and continuous improvement. - Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools.
- Experience with vehicle launch.
You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!
- Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
- Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
- Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
- Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
- Tuition assistance
- Established and active employee resource groups
- Paid time off for individual and team community service
- A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
- Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.
This position is a leadership level 6 and ranges from $150,200-$283,500.
Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.
For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL6
Visa sponsorship is available for this position.
Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.
This position is hybrid with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid
#LI-MZ1 #UEV
Overview
At Ford, you’ll work on ideas that matter, alongside passionate people who want to make a global impact. Together, we’re shaping the next era of transportation—grounded in purpose, driven by progress. Make your move.
- Job Type: Full time
- Work Type: Hybrid
We are seeking an experienced Software Developer in Test to join the Verification & Validation team,
specializing in embedded systems with a focus on vehicle cloud and connectivity applications. As a
Software Developer in Test, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining automated
tests for our embedded software products. You will also be responsible for defining, decomposing, and
realizing feature, function, interface, and testing requirements and associated integration efforts for Ford’s
next-generation electronic systems and controls. You will lead the end-to-end integration and testing of
these systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to support product design, vehicle behavior
definition, prototype bring-up, and debugging. Join a team of knowledgeable and passionate engineers
striving to build robust and safety-rated systems, while ensuring the quality and reliability of our software
solutions.
What you'll do...
- Own, design, build, and maintain comprehensive automotive system-level test benches including
in-house developed Hardware-in-the-loop systems (HILs), ensuring their seamless integration of
hardware and software components for reliable and scalable test environments, with a strong
emphasis on Python-driven automation. - Develop comprehensive verification and validation plans, test plans, test cases, and test scripts to
rigorously validate functional, non-functional, performance, safety, and regression aspects of
automotive software systems and components. - Oversee and coordinate the development and validation of Distributed (e.g. Software, Electrical &
Mechanical) Features on all UEV programs. - Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams, including software developers (e.g. BMS,
Body Controls, Connectivity, etc), controls engineers, and systems engineers, to:- Interact with systems, hardware and software teams to develop test plans for major
vehicle features, collaborating with device owners, program teams, core engineers and
functional areas to create balanced solutions to competing requirements. - Execute test cases and test scripts, leveraging advanced Python automation to enhance
testing efficiency, accuracy, and repeatability across various testing phases. - Decompose functional and non-functional requirements to comprehensive test scenarios
that are actionable against V&V test platforms and test infrastructure. - Create a constant feedback loop between field issues and functional requirements and
test cases, ensuring that we are left-shifting testing and defect detection.
- Interact with systems, hardware and software teams to develop test plans for major
You'll have...
- Bachelor's, Master’s, or PhD degree in Electrical/Mechatronics Engineering, Computer Science,
or related field. - 7+ years of experience in software testing, preferably with embedded systems in the automotive
industry. - Experience in Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) tools such as dSPACE, Vector, NI, ETAS, etc
- Familiar with programming languages such as Python, Rust, or other relevant languages used in
embedded software development and verification. - Experience writing automated tests in test frameworks such as Pytest, Slash, Robot Framework,
or similar. - Strong understanding of electrical engineering fundamentals and ability to apply them to
automotive concepts - Experience with requirements capture in requirements management software platforms (JAMA,
Polarion, DOORs, etc.) - Strong experience debugging embedded systems at a module and/or system level, and the ability
to triage nightly regression failures. - Experience with software testing tools, frameworks, and methodologies (e.g., requirements-driven
test development, unit testing, integration testing, system testing, automated testing). - Experience designing/integrating/validating embedded software features across one or more of
the following domains: network communication, cloud and connectivity, multimedia, infotainment,
Android/iOS, and low-voltage power distribution. - A systems approach to design and development, with an eagerness for continuous improvement
and collaborative, cross-functional teamwork in a dynamic environment. - Excellent teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and project management skills
Even better, you may have...
- Electrical Systems Engineering experience including understanding of systems engineering V
model. - Experience with Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Hazard Analysis and Risk
Assessment (HARA). - Familiarity with common electronic components and comfort reading circuit design
schematics & data sheets. - Ability to work independently on technical tasks, effective troubleshooting, and problem-
solving with minimal supervision. - Strong written and verbal communication, and teamwork skills.
- A systems approach to design and development with the desire and curiosity to strive for
exceptional delivery execution and continuous improvement. - Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools.
- Experience with vehicle launch.
You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!
- Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
- Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
- Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
- Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
- Tuition assistance
- Established and active employee resource groups
- Paid time off for individual and team community service
- A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
- Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.
This position is a leadership level 6 and ranges from $150,200-$283,500.
Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.
For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL6
Visa sponsorship is available for this position.
Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.
This position is hybrid with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid
#LI-MZ1 #UEV
System Software Developer Jobs by Experience Level
See All 224+ System Software Developer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSystem Software Developer Job Market
Who's Hiring
- NVIDIA54
- Apple23
- Qualcomm7
- Amazon7
- AMD6
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software20
- Electronics & Hardware8
- Telecommunications4
- Manufacturing2
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals2
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in system software developer jobs.
- Proficiency in C or C++ for systems-level programming and performance-critical code
- Experience with Linux kernel development, device drivers, or embedded operating systems
- Strong understanding of memory management, concurrency, and multithreading
- Familiarity with hardware architectures such as x86, ARM, or RISC-V
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or electrical engineering
- Experience with debugging tools such as GDB, Valgrind, or hardware debuggers
Tips for Your System Software Developer Job Search
Tailor your resume to the stack
Hiring teams for system software developer roles scan for exact technologies: list the operating systems you've worked in, the languages you've used at the system level, and the hardware architectures you've targeted. Generic software engineer resumes get filtered out fast.
Show your work in public repositories
Contributions to open-source kernels, drivers, or runtime libraries carry more weight than a job title alone. Link directly to commits or pull requests where reviewers can see your low-level C, C++, or Rust code, not just the project name.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists system software developer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Read the job posting for performance constraints
System software roles often specify latency budgets, memory footprint limits, or real-time requirements in the posting itself. Reference those constraints in your cover letter with a concrete example of how you met a similar requirement in a past project.
Prep for multi-stage technical screens
Expect at least one round focused on memory management, concurrency, or OS internals before you reach a system design interview. Practice writing code without an IDE, because whiteboard and shared-editor rounds are still common at this level.
Negotiate with competing offers in hand
System software developer roles in defense and semiconductor sectors often move on longer hiring timelines than product companies. If you have an offer from a faster-moving employer, use that deadline transparently to accelerate slower processes rather than letting one offer expire.
System Software Developer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most system software developers?
The companies hiring the most system software developers right now include NVIDIA, Apple, and Qualcomm, with the largest share of openings in California, Texas, and Washington, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Defense contractors, semiconductor manufacturers, and cloud infrastructure firms consistently account for a large portion of active postings.
How many system software developer jobs are remote?
About 51% of system software developer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though the share varies significantly by sub-discipline. Compiler engineering, developer tooling, and cloud-infrastructure firmware roles tend to have higher remote availability, while embedded systems and defense positions almost always require an on-site security clearance environment.
How do you become a system software developer?
Start by building a strong foundation in C or C++ and studying operating system concepts through coursework or a textbook focused on OS internals. Work on personal or open-source projects that touch memory management, threading, or hardware interfaces. Then target junior roles at companies with large low-level codebases, where you can apprentice under experienced engineers working close to the metal.
How do you get hired as a system software developer with little experience?
Focus your portfolio on a small number of deep projects rather than many shallow ones. A well-documented kernel module, a custom memory allocator, or a contribution to an open-source driver demonstrates you can reason about system constraints. Many employers in this field also offer new-grad or associate-level positions explicitly designed for candidates coming out of computer science or computer engineering programs.
What does the system software developer interview process look like?
Most processes begin with a recruiter screen followed by a technical phone interview covering OS fundamentals, data structures, and low-level coding. A take-home or live coding exercise in C or C++ is common before an on-site or virtual loop that includes system design, debugging a provided codebase, and discussions of past projects. Some employers, particularly in defense, also conduct a clearance eligibility review as part of the process.
Where can I find and apply to system software developer jobs?
You can find and apply to system software developer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from companies across the United States. Search the roles available, find the ones that match your skills and experience level, and apply directly to each listing without leaving the platform.
See All 224+ System Software Developer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs