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Backend Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

SPAN

Staff Backend Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Designing a flexible and distributed electrical grid The Role We are seeking a seasoned backend software engineer to join our team building the cloud-based glue that gives our users access to the ...

Hired Recruiters

Backend Engineer

Redwood City, CA · On-site +1

As a backend software engineer at the company you'll contribute to design and development of various infrastructure projects including data collection pipelines, backends to support sensor ...

Outset.ai

Backend Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$160K - $300K/yr

The ideal candidate will have: * 3+ years of software engineering experience building production-grade backend systems. * Strong proficiency with Python and Django, including experience building ...

Archer

Staff Software Engineer, Backend

San Jose, CA

$172K - $210K/yr

About the Role We are looking for an experienced Staff Backend Software Engineer to lead the design, development, and scaling of backend systems for Archer's aviation products. This role is central ...

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Backend Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

Role Step is looking for a Backend Software Engineer. As part of the team you'll be at the forefront of developing new core banking features and helping us deliver our first product to the public.

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All JobsBackend Software Engineer JobsBackend Software Engineer Jobs in California

Backend Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$59.7K

$145.7K

$196.4K

How much do backend software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for backend software engineer in California is $145,728.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $122,400.00 and $169,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Backend Software Engineer do?

A Backend Software Engineer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the server-side logic, databases, and APIs that power applications and websites. They ensure that data flows efficiently between the server, application, and the user interface, often working with languages like Java, Python, or Node.js. Their work is crucial for enabling features, security, and performance on the backend, even though users typically interact with the frontend. Backend engineers also collaborate with frontend developers and other team members to create seamless user experiences.

What are some typical challenges a Backend Software Engineer faces when integrating new services into an existing system?

Backend Software Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring compatibility between new services and legacy systems, maintaining data integrity during migrations, and managing increased system complexity. Effective integration also requires thorough testing to prevent disruptions to existing functionalities and close collaboration with frontend engineers, DevOps, and QA teams. Proactively communicating across teams and adhering to clear documentation standards can help mitigate integration risks and ensure a smoother deployment process.

What is the difference between Backend Software Engineer vs Frontend Software Engineer?

AspectBackend Software EngineerFrontend Software Engineer
Primary FocusServer-side development, databases, APIsClient-side development, UI/UX, visual elements
Required SkillsProgramming languages like Java, Python, SQL; server managementHTML, CSS, JavaScript, frameworks like React or Angular
Work EnvironmentBackend teams, server infrastructure, cloud servicesDesign teams, user interface, web browsers
Common UsageBuilding and maintaining server logic and databasesCreating interactive and visually appealing web pages

While both roles involve web development, Backend Software Engineers focus on server-side logic and data management, whereas Frontend Software Engineers specialize in creating the visual and interactive aspects of websites. Both roles are essential in full-stack development and often collaborate closely.

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

To thrive as a Backend Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills in languages like Java, Python, or Node.js, a solid understanding of data structures, algorithms, and experience with database management, usually supported by a degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with tools such as Git, RESTful APIs, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), and frameworks like Spring or Django is highly valued, and relevant certifications can be advantageous. Problem-solving ability, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills for this position. These skills and qualities are essential to build, maintain, and optimize robust, scalable server-side applications that meet user and business needs.
What are popular job titles related to Backend Software Engineer jobs in California? For Backend Software Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Backend Software Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Backend Software Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Backend Software Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Backend Software Engineer job openings:
Backend Software Engineer jobs near you
Staff Backend Software Engineer

Staff Backend Software Engineer

SPAN

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Our Mission
SPAN is enabling electrification for all
We are a mission-driven company designing, building, and deploying products that electrify the built environment, reduce carbon emissions, and slow the effects of climate change.
  • Decarbonization is the process to reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide, from entering our atmosphere.
  • Electrification is the process of replacing fossil fuel appliances that run on gas or oil with all-electric upgrades for a cleaner way to power our lives.
At SPAN, we believe in:
  • Enabling homes and vehicles powered by clean energy
  • Making electrification upgrades possible
  • Building more resilient homes with reliable backup
  • Designing a flexible and distributed electrical grid

The Role
We are seeking a seasoned backend software engineer to join our team building the cloud-based glue that gives our users access to the rich information and controls provided by SPAN Panel, SPAN Drive, and future generations of our products. Our system collects a large volume of energy monitoring data that needs to be stored, processed and exposed in different ways for different end users from homeowners to utility operators. We're also opening up never-before available levels of control of the energy in the home that need to be accessed in secure and easy-to-use APIs.
You'll join our cloud software engineering team and work with other engineers including data engineering, mobile, web, device software (firmware), and systems software teams. Working with the team, you'll lead the design and implementation of systems that integrate our hardware, mobile apps, dashboards and external APIs. You'll work with product owners and other engineers to build features from start to finish.
Responsibilities
  • Design and develop new features and subsystems in the SPAN Cloud to support a variety of end users from homeowners, installers, fleet and utility partners.
  • Work cross-functionally with product and design teams to learn about our customers, identify solutions and develop the features that solve their needs
  • Collaborate between firmware, frontend and backend engineers on projects to seamlessly build a cohesive product
  • Work in our Kotlin and TypeScript cloud with gRPC, REST APIs and GraphQL as well as communicating with our IoT devices over MQTT.
  • Design APIs and data specifications for internal and external users, including large-scale B2B enterprise clients.
  • Mentor and collaborate with team members, sharing knowledge and best practices to elevate the entire engineering organization
  • Maintain and evolve services over time, including planning for scaling, major version upgrades, and long-term technical debt management
About You
Required Qualifications
  • 10+ years of experience as a backend engineer with a track record of taking ownership of projects and features.
  • Experience collaborating with engineers from multiple domains to complete projects
  • Experience with Cloud-native platforms like AWS, GCP, Azure (we use AWS)
  • Experience collaborating with coworkers in shared code base using industry standard tools and processes including version control, type systems, linting and unit testing
  • Understanding engineering principles and processes to design robust, scalable and resilient systems
  • 10+ years of professional experience in a common backend programming language and a desire to work with Kotlin, TypeScript, and Python
  • Strong JVM expertise with deep understanding of JVM internals, performance tuning, and memory management with proven track record of maintaining services over time, including planning for scaling, major version upgrades, and managing technical debt
  • Deep experience with Apache Kafka including topics, consumer groups, stream processing, and event-driven architectures
  • Container-based deployments such a kubernetes
  • r Spring Boot

Bonus Qualifications
We would love to hire someone with experience working in one or more of the following areas:
  • Internet of Things (IoT) products (e.g. AWS IoT, Google Cloud IoT, something homegrown) or other hardware component A variety of different datastores (e.g. SQL and noSQL, key-value stores, document stores)
  • gRPC or GraphQL APIs
  • Products with a rich mobile app
  • Infrastructure as code tools like Pulumi or Terraform etc.
  • Familiarity with Data Engineering technologies such as Flink and Spark
  • App store payments or Stripe billing integration
  • B2B enterprise APIs and partner integrations
  • Experience with tenant isolation patterns (inside a broader multi-tenant architecture)

Life at SPAN
Headquartered in San Francisco's vibrant SoMa neighborhood, we are an eclectic group of creative thinkers who value open communication, teamwork, and a 'make it happen' approach to addressing complex challenges.
SPAN embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.
We're hiring talented individuals who are driven by success and are passionate about shaping the future of renewable energy. If that sounds like you, we'd love for you to consider joining the rapidly growing team at SPAN.
The Perks:
Competitive compensation + equity grants at a well-funded, venture-backed company
Comprehensive benefits: 100% employee premiums for base plans on medical, dental, vision with options for additional coverage. Parental leave up to twenty four (24) weeks depending on eligibility
Comfortable, sunny office space located near BART and Caltrain public transit
Strong focus on team building and company culture: Employee Resource Groups, monthly social events, SPANcakes recognition breakfast, lunch, and learns
Flexible hours, one holiday per month, and flexible time off
Interested in joining our team? Apply today and we'll be in touch with the next steps!

Apply