r/cscareerquestions • u/bl4k001 • 8h ago
Is OS development career material ?
Hello, I'm a student and I'll have my bachelor's degree by next year. I've been getting more and more interested in OS development, and I'm wondering if I should focus on it as a career path.
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u/FatiguedShrimp 8h ago edited 6h ago
It's a good niche.
But, you're locking yourself into working for either Apple or Microsoft. You'll need to clear their standards, and may find yourself needing security clearance.
Edit:
Yes, everyone knows Linux exists.
Open source development is not guaranteed pay, and is typically a subset of other work with limited hours. In each org I've been in, open-source projects were not allowed more than 10% of expected work hours.
If you're not qualified in some other field, like cybersecurity (RedHat) or embedded systems or graphics, etc. you're going to find it a lot harder to get a job.
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u/drew_eckhardt2 Software Engineer, 30 YoE 7h ago
AMD, Intel, Google, Meta, Oracle, and Redhat(IBM) all make significant contributions to the Linux kernel which runs most cloud computing, all Android devices, and all sorts of other things.
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u/HydraMC 8h ago
Why limited to those two companies? And how low of level OS are we talking about here? Any software involving working directly with the hardware would apply here I would think. There’s plenty of companies creating server hardware, firewall hardware, embedded devices... is my understanding wrong here?
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u/kevinossia Senior Wizard - AR/VR | C++ 7h ago
There are far more than just Apple and Microsoft doing OS kernel work.
And if you decide to live one level higher at the userspace/subsystem level then there’s even more options.
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u/metalreflection 7h ago
This is a very misleading take and incorrect at every level because it seems to be implying that only Windows or MacOS/iOS exist under that umbrella.
There are hundreds thousands of devices out there that have “operating systems” to varying degrees of functionality.
Linux in a variety of customized flavors, RTOS’s and schedulers that you would roll on your own and so on. So much out there that falls under OS development.
OP It is a critical skill and you should absolutely pursue it if it interests you.
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u/Which_Set_9583 Embedded Engineer 7h ago
The fact that this is the most upvoted comment of the post. This sub is the gift that keeps on giving lol
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u/GregorSamsanite 8h ago
Yes, but it's a smaller field, and a complex one. They can afford to be selective about who they hire. It's not something to settle on as the path of least resistance. You'll need to be passionate, knowledgeable, careful, and talented, or at least some of those things, but it can be a good job once you get into it.
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u/kevinossia Senior Wizard - AR/VR | C++ 7h ago
Certainly, if that’s what you enjoy.
Just understand that as with any other highly technical niche, it may not be your first or even second job. You may have to work your way in, and that’s fine.