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Cleared Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Software Engineer, Cloud

Palo Alto, CA · Hybrid

$126K - $145K/yr

... FDA-cleared, portable, ultra-low-field, magnetic resonance brain imaging system capable of ... Software Engineer, Cloud Location: Palo Alto, California (Hybrid, 3 days per week) This role is for ...

Software Engineer, Cloud

Palo Alto, CA · Hybrid

$126K - $145K/yr

... FDA-cleared, portable, ultra-low-field, magnetic resonance brain imaging system capable of ... Software Engineer, Cloud Location: Palo Alto, California (Hybrid, 3 days per week) This role is for ...

Software Engineer, Cloud

Palo Alto, CA · On-site +1

$126K - $145K/yr

... FDA-cleared, portable, ultra-low-field, magnetic resonance brain imaging system capable of ... Software Engineer, Cloud Location:Palo Alto, California (Hybrid, 3 days per week) This role is for ...

Software Engineer, Cloud

Palo Alto, CA · Hybrid

$126K - $145K/yr

... FDA-cleared, portable, ultra-low-field, magnetic resonance brain imaging system capable of ... Software Engineer, Cloud Location: Palo Alto, California (Hybrid, 3 days per week) This role is for ...

Senior Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$144K - $190K/yr

... cleared for use in the US, UK, Europe, Japan and Canada, and has been used for more than 500,000 ... As a Senior Software Engineer, you will help design and build the architecture and data modeling ...

Job #219205 Chipton-Ross is seeking a C2BMC Systems Software Engineer (Level 4) for a contract ... Ability to be cleared at TS/SCI. Top Secret is required to start. * Experience using analytical ...

Full Stack software engineer Location: San Diego, CA We are looking for a Full Stack software ... Cleared Recruitment | Proposal Development | Technology zain.wani@iQuasar.com Direct: (703) 349 ...

FULL STACK ENGINEER

San Diego, CA · On-site

$135K - $145K/yr

Full Stack software engineer Location: San Diego, CA We are looking for a Full Stack software ... Cleared Recruitment | Proposal Development | Technology zain.wani@iQuasar.com Direct: (703) 349 ...

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Showing results 1-20

Cleared Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$62.7K

$145.6K

$202.8K

How much do cleared software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for cleared 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 is a cleared software engineer?

A Cleared Software Engineer is a software developer who has obtained a security clearance, typically to work on projects involving sensitive or classified information for government agencies or contractors. These professionals design, develop, test, and maintain software systems while adhering to strict security protocols. Security clearances can vary in level, such as Confidential, Secret, or Top Secret, and are granted after thorough background checks. Cleared Software Engineers are essential for organizations that handle national security or defense projects, ensuring that only trusted individuals have access to protected information.

What are some common challenges cleared software engineers face when working on classified projects?

Cleared Software Engineers often encounter challenges related to strict security protocols and limited access to information when working on classified projects. These restrictions can impact collaboration and require careful adherence to documentation and communication guidelines. Additionally, the need for government clearances can lengthen onboarding times, and engineers may work in secure facilities with restricted internet or device use. However, these challenges are balanced by the unique opportunity to contribute to national security and work on cutting-edge technology alongside highly skilled teams.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cleared software engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cleared Software Engineer, you need strong programming abilities, software development experience, and an active security clearance such as Secret or Top Secret. Familiarity with secure coding practices, version control systems (like Git), and specialized tools for government or defense projects is often required. Excellent problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help you collaborate effectively and navigate complex, high-stakes environments. These skills and qualifications are crucial to ensure the development of secure, reliable software that meets strict regulatory and security standards.

What is the difference between Cleared Software Engineer vs Software Developer?

AspectCleared Software EngineerSoftware Developer
CredentialsSecurity clearance (e.g., Top Secret, TS/SCI)Typically no security clearance required
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, defense contractors, secure facilitiesPrivate sector, tech companies, startups
Industry UsageDefense, aerospace, intelligenceTechnology, finance, healthcare
Search & ComparisonOften compared for security clearance requirements and government projectsMore general software development roles

The main difference is that a Cleared Software Engineer requires security clearance and works primarily on government or defense projects, whereas a Software Developer typically does not need clearance and works across various industries. The cleared role involves additional security protocols but shares core programming skills with standard software development roles.

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

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

Infographic showing various Cleared Software Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $145,592 per year, or $70 per hour.

Cleared Software Engineer (TS and TS/SCI)

El Segundo, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description

Job Summary:
Gallatin AI, Inc. is focused on transforming logistics infrastructure for national security missions. They are seeking cleared software engineers to build end-to-end solutions that enhance resupply operations through collaboration and practical impact.
Responsibilities:
• Build and deliver features that support our mission statement
• Extend our existing API layer with performant CRUD methods, with a focus on performance and accuracy
• Collaborate with UX team and backend developers on rapid feature buildouts
• Contribute tested, production-ready code that passes our CI/CD pipeline
• Design and maintain data models and pipelines that power our Navigator platform
• Define and evolve relational database schemas and to represent complex real-world entities
• Build data pipelines to ingest, transform, and distribute data between systems
• Leverage our semantic data modeling SDK to architect efficient storage and retrieval methods
• Collaborate with cross-functional teammates to improve our systems and practices
• Work closely with product managers, UX designers, and other engineers to ensure features and data models align with user needs and mission outcomes.
• Contribute to engineering best practices: from code reviews and documentation, to refining CI/CD pipelines, helping us foster a culture of excellence.
• Help define best practices, continuously improve CI/CD workflows, while keeping DX at the forefront!
Qualifications:
Required:
• Top Secret Clearance (TS or TS/SCI required)
• Comfortable debugging and navigating issues across the entire tech stack
• Familiarity with HTTP request codes
• Experience developing backend APIs or services in a strongly-typed language
• Hands-on experience with relational databases – designing schemas, writing efficient queries, and ensuring data integrity and performance
• Experience with processing data streams and/or building or maintaining data pipelines/ETL processes to handle complex data flows between multiple systems
• Experience working closely with diverse teams (engineering, product, design) to drive projects to completion
• Clear and concise communication, whether in designing system architecture or everyday documentation
• Always seeing to learn and stay current with industry trends and tools
Preferred:
• Technical depth in at least one of these areas: Typescript, Python, SQL, Vue.js
• Experience building offline-first or progressive web applications (PWAs) that operate smoothly with limited or intermittent connectivity
• Hands-on experience with DevOps or Infrastructure-as-Code (CI/CD pipelines, Docker/Kubernetes, Terraform, etc.)
• Experience with cloud-based architecture such as AWS, Azure, Palantir Foundry
• Contributions to open-source projects
Company:
Gallatin is building a logistics platform based on the needs and constraints of today's defense industry. Founded in 2024, the company is headquartered in El Segundo, USA, with a team of 11-50 employees. The company is currently Early Stage.