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C Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Jobsbridge

C++ Software Engineer

Davis, CA

... software development experience with a fluency and passion for C++ (STL, C++ 11, Boost, Clang ... engineering, or mathematics Recommended Qualifications: Experience with one or more of the ...

E-Space

Head of Software Engineering

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$279K/yr

... C, NASA-STD-8739.8, or equivalent) • Drive hardware/software co-design and integration with electrical, systems, and mechanical engineering teams • Build, grow, and retain a high-performing ...

SpaceX

Software Engineer, C++ (Starlink)

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$155K - $185K/yr

SOFTWARE ENGINEER, C++ (STARLINK) At SpaceX we're leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world's most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the ...

SpaceX

Software Engineer, C++ (Raptor)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$140K - $170K/yr

SOFTWARE ENGINEER, C++ (RAPTOR) We are looking for exceptional C++ software engineers who thrive on building high-performance, reliable systems that directly impact production speed and quality. Our ...

Toyon

C++ Software Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

$120K - $200K/yr

Advanced software development in C++ * Excellent thinking and problem-solving skills * Physics, Math, or Engineering education background * Ability to work collaboratively to conceptualize and ...

SpaceX

Software Engineer, C++ (Simulations)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$145K - $175K/yr

SOFTWARE ENGINEER, C++ (SIMULATIONS) As a Software Engineer on the Simulations team, you will design, develop, and test our in-house simulation software supporting all SpaceX flight systems. You will ...

SpaceX

Software Engineer, Backend (C/C++)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$145K - $175K/yr

SOFTWARE ENGINEER, BACKEND (C/C++) As a Software Engineer on the test infrastructure team, you will design, develop, and maintain SpaceX's in-house testing ecosystem that powers software and hardware ...

PLP Group

Software Engineer - Network

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$130 - $170/hr

Develop telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) software paths, including encrypted command uplink ... Experience with Linux systems programming and deployment (containers, systemd, CI/CD)

SpaceX

Software Engineer, Backend (C/C++)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site +1

$145K - $175K/yr

SOFTWARE ENGINEER, BACKEND (C/C++) As a Software Engineer on the test infrastructure team, you will design, develop, and maintain SpaceX's in-house testing ecosystem that powers software and hardware ...

SpaceX

Software Engineer, C++ (Dragon)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$145K - $175K/yr

SOFTWARE ENGINEER, C++ (DRAGON) As a software engineer on the Dragon team, you will develop, analyze and verify the mission critical software configurations that fly our Dragon Crewed and Cargo ...

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Showing results 41-60

All JobsC Software Engineer JobsC Software Engineer Jobs in California

C Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$24.2K

$121.5K

$189.5K

How much do c software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for c software engineer in California is $121,525.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,700.00 and $142,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a C software engineer do?

A C Software Engineer designs, develops, tests, and maintains software applications and systems using the C programming language. They typically work on performance-critical applications, embedded systems, operating systems, or device drivers. Their responsibilities include writing efficient code, debugging, optimizing existing code, and collaborating with other engineers to ensure software reliability and maintainability. C Software Engineers must have a strong understanding of computer science fundamentals and problem-solving skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a C software engineer?

To thrive as a C Software Engineer, you need a deep understanding of C programming, algorithms, data structures, and a relevant degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with development tools such as GCC, Git, debugging profilers, and sometimes certifications in software development are commonly required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork set outstanding C Software Engineers apart. These competencies are essential for building reliable, efficient software and collaborating effectively in technical environments.

How does a C software engineer typically collaborate with other teams during a development project?

C Software Engineers frequently work alongside cross-functional teams, including hardware engineers, QA testers, and project managers. Collaboration often involves participating in code reviews, integrating low-level code with hardware components, and ensuring software meets performance and reliability standards. Effective communication is essential, as these engineers must translate technical requirements and troubleshoot issues that may arise at the intersection of software and hardware. Regular meetings and documentation are standard practices to keep everyone aligned and maintain project momentum.

What is the difference between C Software Engineer vs C++ Software Engineer?

AspectC Software EngineerC++ Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or related field; knowledge of C languageBachelor's in Computer Science or related field; knowledge of C and C++ languages
Work EnvironmentEmbedded systems, operating systems, device driversApplication development, game engines, software tools
Industry UsageEmbedded systems, firmware, hardware interfacingSoftware applications, game development, high-performance computing

The main difference between a C Software Engineer and a C++ Software Engineer lies in the programming languages they specialize in. C engineers focus on low-level programming for embedded systems and hardware interfaces, while C++ engineers work on more complex applications that require object-oriented features. Both roles require similar foundational skills but differ in application scope and complexity.

What are popular job titles related to C Software Engineer jobs in California?

For C Software Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching C Software Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for C Software Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for C Software Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most C Software Engineer job openings:

C Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various C Software Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,525 per year, or $58.4 per hour.

Expert Software Engineer (C++)

Keysight Technologies, Inc.

Santa Rosa, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago

Keysight Technologies rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 20 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

50th of 159 rated electronics manufacturers

Job description

Overview

Keysight is on the forefront of technology innovation, delivering breakthroughs and trusted insights in electronic design, simulation, prototyping, test, manufacturing, and optimization. Our ~15,000 employees create world-class solutions in communications, 5G, automotive, energy, quantum, aerospace, defense, and semiconductor markets for customers in over 100 countries. Learn more about what we do.

Our award-winning culture embraces a bold vision of where technology can take us and a passion for tackling challenging problems with industry-first solutions. We believe that when people feel a sense of belonging, they can be more creative, innovative, and thrive at all points in their careers.

What We Offer: Join a dynamic company at the forefront of innovation! At Keysight, we collaborate with visionary customers to develop breakthrough solutions that connect and safeguard the world. Enjoy a highly competitive package and explore our enriching culture and benefits. 

Location: Santa Rosa, CA

About the Role 
Join Keysight’s Software and AI Labs to design and implement distributed digital data infrastructures for cutting-edge Test & Measurement solutions. Your work will enable disruptive capabilities across high-growth industries, including communications, quantum, semiconductor, and defense. 


Responsibilities

As an Expert Software Engineer, you will lead the evaluation, prototyping, and adoption of emerging technologies to drive competitive differentiation for the next generation of Keysight products and solutions. Working with architects, product teams, and domain experts, you will transform advanced concepts into production-ready capabilities that deliver unique functionality, superior performance, and market-leading solutions across high-growth Test & Measurement markets. This is a highly visible technical role focused on high-performance data streaming and processing technologies for systems involving CPUs, GPUs, FPGAs, SmartNICs, and other computing platforms.   

Responsibilities: 

  • Partner with product architects, technical leads, and product owners to understand requirements and identify technology opportunities.  

  • Investigate and prototype new high-performance data processing and streaming technologies to evaluate feasibility and business impact.  

  • Influence technical direction and product architecture through proof-of-concepts and system-level demonstrations.  

  • Design and develop reusable software components that enable broad adoption of new technologies across multiple product lines.  

  • Mentor engineers and contribute to engineering best practices, code quality, and architectural excellence.  

This position will be based in our headquarters in Santa Rosa, CA. Candidates must be local or willing to relocate to Santa Rosa, CA or nearby to be able to work from the office for a significant amount of time.  

Qualifications: 

Required Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor's or master's degree in computer engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline.  

  • Strong software design and object-oriented development experience using Modern C++.  

  • 4+ years of industry experience developing hardware control or performance-critical software systems.  

  • Experience with modern I/O technologies and architectures such as PCIe.  

  • Solid understanding of device drivers, operating systems, and real-time processing architectures.  

  • Proven ability to lead complex technical projects across multiple teams and organizations. 

This position requires access to technology and/or technical data that is subject to U.S. export controls. You must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Government.   

Desired Qualifications: 

  • Ability to learn new technologies quickly, develop and troubleshoot across the full software stack, from register-level debugging through application-level analysis.  

  • Experience developing cross-platform software on Windows, Linux, and Embedded Linux platforms.  

  • Proficiency in additional languages such as Python and C#.  

  • Hands-on experience with data processing and streaming technologies.  

  • Experience with DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and performance optimization.  

  • Team player with excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

  • Knowledge of Electronic Test & Measurement applications or instrument architectures is a plus. 

Careers Privacy Statement 

***Keysight is an Equal Opportunity Employer.*** 


Qualifications
 

Required Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor's or master's degree in computer engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline.  

  • Strong software design and object-oriented development experience using Modern C++.  

  • 4+ years of industry experience developing hardware control or performance-critical software systems.  

  • Experience with modern I/O technologies and architectures such as PCIe.  

  • Solid understanding of device drivers, operating systems, and real-time processing architectures.  

  • Proven ability to lead complex technical projects across multiple teams and organizations. 

This position requires access to technology and/or technical data that is subject to U.S. export controls. You must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Government.   

Desired Qualifications: 

  • Ability to learn new technologies quickly, develop and troubleshoot across the full software stack, from register-level debugging through application-level analysis.  

  • Experience developing cross-platform software on Windows, Linux, and Embedded Linux platforms.  

  • Proficiency in additional languages such as Python and C#.  

  • Hands-on experience with data processing and streaming technologies.  

  • Experience with DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and performance optimization.  

  • Team player with excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

  • Knowledge of Electronic Test & Measurement applications or instrument architectures is a plus. 

ITAR statement: This position requires access to certain goods, software, technology, or technical data subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations. Under these laws and regulations, U.S. persons (which includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees) working for Keysight can access export-controlled items without authorization from the U.S. government. For any individual who is not a U.S. person, Keysight may need authorization from the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Commerce, or other appropriate federal agency before the individual can access export-controlled items. Employment in this position for non-U.S. persons is contingent on Keysight’s ability to obtain any required government authorizations.

We are unable to support visa sponsorship for this position.

 

Careers Privacy Statement
***Keysight is an Equal Opportunity Employer.***
Keysight Technologies Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other protected categories under all applicable laws.

The level of role and salary will be based on applicable experience, education and skills; Most offers will be between the minimum and the midpoint of the Salary Range listed below.

California Pay Range: MIN $143,050 - MIDPT $190,730 MAX $238,420

Note: For other locations, pay ranges will vary by region.

This role is eligible for Keysight Results Bonus Program

US Employees may be eligible for the following benefits:

- Medical, dental and vision

- Health Savings Account

- Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts

- Life, Accident, Disability insurance

- Business Travel Accident and Business Travel Health

- 401(k) Plan

- Flexible Time Off, Paid Holidays

- Paid Family Leave

- Discounts, Perks

- Tuition Reimbursement

- Adoption Assistance

- ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)

#LI-BM1

Qualifications:
 

Required Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor's or master's degree in computer engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline.  

  • Strong software design and object-oriented development experience using Modern C++.  

  • 4+ years of industry experience developing hardware control or performance-critical software systems.  

  • Experience with modern I/O technologies and architectures such as PCIe.  

  • Solid understanding of device drivers, operating systems, and real-time processing architectures.  

  • Proven ability to lead complex technical projects across multiple teams and organizations. 

This position requires access to technology and/or technical data that is subject to U.S. export controls. You must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Government.   

Desired Qualifications: 

  • Ability to learn new technologies quickly, develop and troubleshoot across the full software stack, from register-level debugging through application-level analysis.  

  • Experience developing cross-platform software on Windows, Linux, and Embedded Linux platforms.  

  • Proficiency in additional languages such as Python and C#.  

  • Hands-on experience with data processing and streaming technologies.  

  • Experience with DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and performance optimization.  

  • Team player with excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

  • Knowledge of Electronic Test & Measurement applications or instrument architectures is a plus. 

ITAR statement: This position requires access to certain goods, software, technology, or technical data subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations. Under these laws and regulations, U.S. persons (which includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees) working for Keysight can access export-controlled items without authorization from the U.S. government. For any individual who is not a U.S. person, Keysight may need authorization from the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Commerce, or other appropriate federal agency before the individual can access export-controlled items. Employment in this position for non-U.S. persons is contingent on Keysight’s ability to obtain any required government authorizations.

We are unable to support visa sponsorship for this position.

 

Careers Privacy Statement
***Keysight is an Equal Opportunity Employer.***
Keysight Technologies Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other protected categories under all applicable laws.

The level of role and salary will be based on applicable experience, education and skills; Most offers will be between the minimum and the midpoint of the Salary Range listed below.

California Pay Range: MIN $143,050 - MIDPT $190,730 MAX $238,420

Note: For other locations, pay ranges will vary by region.

This role is eligible for Keysight Results Bonus Program

US Employees may be eligible for the following benefits:

- Medical, dental and vision

- Health Savings Account

- Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts

- Life, Accident, Disability insurance

- Business Travel Accident and Business Travel Health

- 401(k) Plan

- Flexible Time Off, Paid Holidays

- Paid Family Leave

- Discounts, Perks

- Tuition Reimbursement

- Adoption Assistance

- ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)

#LI-BM1

Education:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: UNAVAILABLE

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