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Associate Software Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Cornerstone

Associate Software Engineer

Dublin, CA · On-site

Associate Software Engineer Hybrid - Dublin, CA or Santa Monica, CA Cornerstone is looking for high-potential engineers who are excited to build modern enterprise SaaS solutions and leverage AI to ...

New

Alcon

Sr. Associate, Software Verification

Goleta, CA · On-site

As a Senior Associate, Software Engineer (Verification), you will be trusted to drive software design, development, and verification activitiesYou will be trusted to drive the design, execution ...

MatrixCare

Associate Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

The primaryobjectiveof Software (App) Engineering specialization withinEngineering (PD) Job Family is to build best-in-class, cloud-native applications that are reliable, scalable,secureand simple to ...

ResMed

Associate Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

The primaryobjectiveof Software (App) Engineering specialization withinEngineering (PD) Job Family is to build best-in-class, cloud-native applications that are reliable, scalable,secureand simple to ...

ResMed, Inc.

Associate Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

The primary objective of Software (App) Engineering specialization within Engineering (PD) Job Family is to build best-in-class, cloud-native applications that are reliable, scalable, secure and ...

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All JobsAssociate Software JobsAssociate Software Jobs in California

Associate Software information

See California salary details

$10.9K

$82.3K

$129.3K

How much do associate software jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate software in California is $82,276.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,200.00 and $93,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an associate software engineer do?

An Associate Software Engineer is an entry-level position responsible for assisting in the design, development, testing, and maintenance of software applications. They work closely under the supervision of more experienced engineers to write code, fix bugs, and contribute to software projects. This role typically involves learning company-specific technologies and best practices, collaborating with team members, and gradually taking on more complex tasks as skills develop.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate software engineer?

To thrive as an Associate Software Engineer, you need a solid understanding of programming languages (such as Java, Python, or C++), software development principles, and a relevant degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with development tools like Git, integrated development environments (IDEs), and issue tracking systems is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication help you collaborate and adapt in dynamic project environments. These skills and qualities are essential for delivering robust code, supporting team goals, and driving continuous improvement in software projects.

What are some common challenges faced by associate software engineers when transitioning from academic projects to real-world development teams?

Associate Software Engineers often find the transition to professional environments challenging due to differences in project scale, codebase complexity, and the need to follow established development processes. Unlike academic projects, real-world teams typically use version control systems, conduct code reviews, and adhere to specific coding standards. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, understanding business requirements, and managing tight deadlines are also new experiences. Embracing mentorship, asking questions, and being open to feedback can help ease this transition and support professional growth.
What are the most commonly searched types of Software jobs in California? The most popular types of Software jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Associate Software jobs? Cities in California with the most Associate Software job openings:
Associate Software jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Software job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,276 per year, or $39.6 per hour.

Associate Software Engineer

Cornerstone

Dublin, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

Associate Software Engineer  

Hybrid - Dublin, CA or Santa Monica, CA 

Cornerstone is looking for high-potential engineers who are excited to build modern enterprise SaaS solutions and leverage AI to accelerate development, improve quality, and deliver meaningful customer outcomes. You will work on high-scale systems used by enterprise customers globally, with a focus on performance, reliability, and continuous innovation. 

Through our Rotational Development Program, you'll rotate across two teams, gain hands-on experience working on impactful projects, and build strong technical foundations while helping advance our platform and capabilities. 

As an Associate Software Engineer, you will contribute to core product development while helping shape our next generation of AI-powered capabilities. 

In this role, you will... 

  • Build and integrate AI-powered capabilities, including intelligent features, assistants, and modern integration patterns (e.g., MCP, agent-to-agent workflows).   
  • Design and develop core features that improve customer experience, scalability, and platform reliability.   
  • Leverage AI-assisted development tools such as Cursor, Claude Code, and Amazon Q Developer to improve productivity, code quality, and testing.   
  • Write high-quality, scalable, and secure code that meets performance, reliability, and security standards.   
  • Diagnose and resolve customer-reported issues, contributing to defect reduction and customer trust.   
  • Collaborate across engineering, product, and design to build APIs, user experiences, and data models.   
  • Participate in agile development as part of a Scrum team, delivering incremental value in a fast-paced environment.   
  • Collaborate with senior engineers to build and integrate AI-powered features using modern frameworks and APIs.   
  • Explore and evaluate new AI tools, libraries, and approaches that can enhance product capabilities.   
  • Grow your skills through mentorship, code reviews, and hands-on collaboration with experienced engineers.   
  • Ensure delivered solutions improve product quality, performance, and customer experience.   

You've got what it takes if you... 

  • Have 0-2 years of software development experience.   
  • Have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or a related field (or equivalent experience).   
  • Have foundational knowledge of backend development using modern programming languages and frameworks.   
  • Are familiar with frontend development using JavaScript and modern frameworks (e.g., React, Angular, or similar).   
  • Understand relational databases (e.g., SQL Server) and have exposure to NoSQL (e.g., MongoDB, Cassandra).   
  • Have familiarity with cloud development on AWS, including services such as AWS Lambda, Amazon ECS, Amazon S3, and exposure to building AI-powered applications using services such as Amazon Bedrock.   
  • Have exposure to event-driven systems (e.g., Kafka) as a plus.   
  • Demonstrate strong fundamentals in object-oriented design, debugging, and problem-solving.   
  • Have interest in building AI-powered applications, assistants, or integrations.   
  • Have a basic understanding of AI/ML concepts (e.g., LLMs, generative AI, or recommendation systems) as a plus.   
  • Have exposure to Python or common AI/ML libraries as a plus, but not required.   
  • Are committed to code quality, testing, and continuous improvement.   
  • Communicate effectively and collaborate well in a distributed team environment.   
  • Are eager to learn and grow in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.   

 An extra dose of awesome if... 

  • You view AI as a force multiplier for both product innovation and engineering productivity.   
  • You have interest or familiarity with emerging AI patterns such as MCP, agent-to-agent workflows, or agent development kits.   
  • You take ownership, move with urgency, and follow through on outcomes.   
  • You are curious, resourceful, and continuously learning, especially in emerging AI technologies.  

Apply