ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

3D Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Siegfried Engineering

Civil Design Engineer

Stockton, CA · On-site

$75K - $95K/yr

Utilize AutoCAD and Civil 3D software for design and documentation * Collaborate with clients ... Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certification preferred * Proficiency in AutoCAD and Civil 3D software

Cohu, Inc.

Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

... 3D imaging, camera calibration, object detection, image processing, segmentation, metrology ... in Engineering or Science • 5+ years developing machine vision software in industrial ...

Essel

Civil 3D Designer

Oceanside, CA · On-site

Your expertise in Civil 3D software will be crucial for creating detailed engineering designs and ensuring they meet the highest industry standards. As a Civil 3D Designer, you will be responsible ...

Essel

Civil 3D Designer

Oceanside, CA

Your expertise in Civil 3D software will be crucial for creating detailed engineering designs and ensuring they meet the highest industry standards. As a Civil 3D Designer, you will be responsible ...

Essel

Civil 3D Designer

Oceanside, CA · On-site

Your expertise in Civil 3D software will be crucial for creating detailed engineering designs and ensuring they meet the highest industry standards. As a Civil 3D Designer, you will be responsible ...

Siegfried Engineering

Civil Design Engineer II

Truckee, CA · On-site

$41.96 - $54.56/hr

Utilize AutoCAD and Civil 3D software for design and documentation * Prepare civil engineering designs, plans, and specifications for projects such as grading, drainage, utilities, roadways, and site ...

Xoriant Corporation

GPU Software Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

GPU Software Engineer Location: San Jose, CA Duration: 6+ months contract (Long Term) Roles and ... Experience implementing 3D graphics features such as lighting, effects, shaders and other low-level ...

Freeform

Software Engineer (Embedded)

Los Angeles, CA

$115K - $145K/yr

SOFTWARE ENGINEER (EMBEDDED) Freeform builds AI-native manufacturing systems that unify software ... Design and develop the machine instruction interface to the metal 3D printing system hardware

Freeform

Senior Factory Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$132K - $174K/yr

As a Senior Factory Software Engineer, you will be responsible for architecting and implementing critical software systems for autonomous 3D printing factories, collaborating with a multi ...

Freeform

Software Engineer (Embedded)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$115K - $145K/yr

SOFTWARE ENGINEER (EMBEDDED) Freeform builds AI-native manufacturing systems that unify software ... Design and develop the machine instruction interface to the metal 3D printing system hardware

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All Jobs3D Software Engineer Jobs3D Software Engineer Jobs in California

3D Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$62.7K

$145.6K

$202.8K

How much do 3d software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for 3d software engineer in California is $145,592.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,400.00 and $170,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as software, aerospace, or petroleum engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High compensation often involves working in high-demand industries, possessing advanced certifications, or holding executive-level positions.

How much does a 3D programmer make?

The salary of a 3D software engineer typically ranges from $70,000 to $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Skilled programmers with expertise in graphics, rendering, and game engines may earn higher salaries, especially in competitive markets or with specialized tools like Unity or Unreal Engine.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a 3D Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a 3D Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills (often in C++ or Python), a solid understanding of computer graphics principles, and a relevant degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with 3D graphics APIs like OpenGL, DirectX, or Vulkan, as well as experience with game engines or modeling tools, is typically required. Creativity, problem-solving, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and tackling complex visual challenges. These competencies are essential for building efficient, visually compelling 3D applications and ensuring seamless integration within project teams.

What does a 3D software engineer do?

A 3D software engineer develops, tests, and maintains software applications related to 3D graphics, modeling, rendering, and animation. They often work with tools like Unity, Unreal Engine, or Maya and require programming skills in languages such as C++ or Python. Their work supports industries like gaming, film, virtual reality, and simulation environments.

What is the difference between 3D Software Engineer vs 3D Artist?

Aspect3D Software Engineer3D Artist
Primary FocusDevelops software tools, algorithms, and applications for 3D graphics and modelingCreates visual 3D models, textures, and animations for projects
Required SkillsProgramming, software development, understanding of 3D graphics pipelinesArtistic skills, 3D modeling, texturing, and animation
Work EnvironmentTech companies, software firms, gaming studios, often involving coding and software developmentCreative studios, game development, film, and animation industries, focusing on visual content creation

The main difference between a 3D Software Engineer and a 3D Artist lies in their focus: the engineer develops the tools and software for 3D applications, while the artist creates the visual content. Both roles often collaborate in industries like gaming and film but require distinct skill sets and responsibilities.

What types of projects do 3D Software Engineers typically work on, and how do they collaborate with other teams?

3D Software Engineers often work on developing graphics engines, simulation tools, or interactive applications that rely on complex 3D visualizations. These projects may involve tasks such as optimizing rendering pipelines, implementing new graphical features, or integrating physics engines. Collaboration is a key aspect, as 3D Software Engineers frequently work with artists, designers, and product managers to ensure visual fidelity and performance align with project goals. Regular code reviews, cross-functional meetings, and iterative prototyping are common practices to maintain alignment and foster innovation.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced software engineers, especially those in specialized fields like machine learning, AI, or working at top tech companies, can earn $500,000 or more annually. Senior roles often include stock options, bonuses, and other compensation components that contribute to such high earnings.
What are popular job titles related to 3D Software Engineer jobs in California? For 3D Software Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching 3D Software Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for 3D Software Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for 3D Software Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most 3D Software Engineer job openings:
3D Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various 3D Software Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,592 per year, or $70 per hour.

Senior Software Engineer, 3D Computer Vision

FieldAI

Irvine, CA

$150K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Posted yesterday

Job description


Field AI is transforming how robots interact with the real world. We are building risk-aware, reliable, and field-ready AI systems that address the most complex challenges in robotics, unlocking the full potential of embodied intelligence. We go beyond typical data-driven approaches or pure transformer-based architectures, and are charting a new course, with already-globally-deployed solutions delivering real-world results and rapidly improving models through real-field applications.
What You Get To Do:
  • Develop and optimize point cloud processing pipelines, including registration, denoising, normal estimation, segmentation, and primitive extraction
  • Design efficient algorithms for large-scale, unstructured 3D datasets with attention to memory and runtime performance
  • Implement production-grade computational geometry and linear algebra in C++ and Python
  • Solve complex reconstruction challenges such as loop closure, global consistency, and multi-view fusion
  • Evaluate and integrate emerging 3D vision methods (e.g., neural implicit representations, advanced meshing techniques)
  • Partner with platform teams to ensure scalable, efficient deployment of algorithms
What You Bring:
  • 4+ years of experience in Computer Vision, Computational Geometry, or 3D-focused Software Engineering
  • Master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or related field with specialization in 3D vision or geometric processing
  • Strong proficiency in modern C++ (C++14/17) and Python
  • Solid mathematical foundation in 3D geometry, linear algebra, rigid body transformations (SE(3), quaternions), and projective geometry
  • Deep experience with point cloud algorithms (ICP, GICP, RANSAC, NDT, region growing) and spatial data structures (k-d trees, octrees, voxel grids)
  • Hands-on experience with libraries such as PCL, Open3D, Eigen, or Ceres
  • Familiarity with common 3D data formats (PCD, PLY, E57, LAS)
  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to translate academic research into production-ready code
What Sets You Apart:
  • Experience with non-linear optimization frameworks (Ceres, GTSAM, g2o) for bundle adjustment or pose graph optimization
  • Background in SLAM or Structure from Motion (SfM) pipelines
  • Experience processing LiDAR, RGB-D, or photogrammetry datasets
  • Familiarity with Linux development environments and containerization (Docker)
  • Exposure to ROS (not required)
  • Knowledge of survey-grade accuracy standards and georeferencing algorithms
Our salary range is generous and we take into consideration an individual's background and experience in determining final salary; base pay offered may vary considerably depending on geographic location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. 

Why Join Field AI?
We are solving one of the world’s most complex challenges: deploying robots in unstructured, previously unknown environments. Our Field Foundational Models™ set a new standard in perception, planning, localization, and manipulation, ensuring our approach is explainable and safe for deployment.

You will have the opportunity to work with a world-class team that thrives on creativity, resilience, and bold thinking. With a decade-long track record of deploying solutions in the field, winning DARPA challenge segments, and bringing expertise from organizations like DeepMind, NASA JPL, Boston Dynamics, NVIDIA, Amazon, Tesla Autopilot, Cruise Self-Driving, Zoox, Toyota Research Institute, and SpaceX, we are set to achieve our ambitious goals.

Be Part of the Next Robotics Revolution
To tackle such ambitious challenges, we need a team as unique as our vision — innovators who go beyond conventional methods and are eager to tackle tough, uncharted questions. We’re seeking individuals who challenge the status quo, dive into uncharted territory, and bring interdisciplinary expertise. Our team requires not only top AI talent but also exceptional software developers, engineers, product designers, field deployment experts, and communicators.

We are headquartered in always-sunny Mission Viejo (Irvine adjacent), Southern California and have US based and global teammates. 

Join us, shape the future, and be part of a fun, close-knit team on an exciting journey!



We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.