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Cleared Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

GeoDelphi

Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · Remote

Mid-Senior Level Software Engineer Location: Remote / Alexandria, VA Clearance ... Active TS/SCI or eligibility to be cleared Are you ready to be part of a team that creates cutting ...

Heartflow

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 ... We are looking for a Senior Software Engineer to join our world-class engineering team. In this ...

Heartflow

Staff Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

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

Space Kinetic

Flight Software Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$120K - $150K/yr

Who We Are: Space Kinetic is a cleared, venture-backed startup focused on addressing urgent ... What You'll Do: The Flight Software Engineer will design, develop, and maintain the critical ...

Lancesoft

Software Engineer-Developer 4

Seal Beach, CA · On-site

$66.46 - $75.96/hr

Position Responsibilities • Design, develop, test, and maintain software applications that meet ... As a cleared facility, we have a particular need for individuals with active Secret or Top Secret ...

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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 Jun 6, 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 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 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 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 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 popular job titles related to Cleared Software Engineer jobs in California? For Cleared Software Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
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:
Cleared Software Engineer jobs near you

Cleared Software Engineer (TS and TS/SCI)

Gallatin AI, Inc

El Segundo, CA • On-site

$80K - $210K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

About Gallatin
At Gallatin, we are rebuilding logistics infrastructure for the national security missions of the United States and allied partners. We build AI systems that determine how logistics decisions are made - not just how they're executed. From factory to foxhole, we operate at the layer where data becomes decisions, and decisions make the advantage.
About the Role
We are looking for cleared (TS or TS/SCI required) engineers who can build demo-able end-to-end flows that make resupply operations smarter, faster, and more resilient. You'll collaborate daily with a top notch team of engineers who value thoughtful design and practical impact. If you're looking to build systems that go beyond the usual SaaS cloud-based product, this could be your next chapter.
What You'll Do
  • 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
    • Technical depth in at least one of these areas is preferred: Typescript, Python, SQL, Vue.js
  • 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!

What We're Looking For
  • Candidates with Top Secret Clearance (TS or TS/SCI preferred)
  • Technical Proficiency
    • 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
  • Data modeling and architecture
    • 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
  • Great communicator
    • 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
  • Growth mindset
    • Always seeing to learn and stay current with industry trends and tools

Bonus Points
  • 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

Mission and Identity
We are building the system that enables faster, smarter logistics decisions in contested environments, and we're doing it with a team of seasoned entrepreneurs, operators, and technologists who have built and scaled solutions in this space before. We hold ourselves to an extremely high standard. We value clear thinking, direct communication, and the kind of ownership that doesn't stop until something actually works.
Our mission is to create decision advantage when the stakes are the highest. If we succeed, the system doesn't just run; it gets smarter. We're not building AI for its own sake. We're building it because faster, smarter decisions in the most demanding environments on earth can't wait. If you want to work somewhere the stakes are real and the mission is urgent - you'll fit in here.
Why Gallatin?
The logistics infrastructure that supports America's warfighters and humanitarian disaster responders is overdue for transformation, and we are building it. From defense operations to disaster response, we're solving the hardest problems that keep missions moving when it matters most. Join a team where the mission is the point.
Compensation: Gallatin offers competitive compensation commensurate with experience. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, skills, and location. In addition to base salary, we offer a generous equity grant, full healthcare coverage, 401k, unlimited PTO, and the perks of working in a high-caliber, mission-driven environment.
Gallatin is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
This position may require the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance. The successful candidate must be able to work in a classified environment when necessary.
We comply with the United States Department of Labor's Pay Transparency provision.

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