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Competitive Programming Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Brahma Consulting Group

Software Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$160K - $240K/yr

Competitive programming experience, Recognition at IMO, IOI, IPho etc. or published research. * Exposure to cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and container orchestration (Kubernetes). * Demonstrated ...

Voltai

Machine Learning Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

Background in competitive programming. * Contributions to open-source initiatives. * Notable awards or publications in leading journals/conferences. * Experience thriving in a fast-paced, hyper ...

Voltai, Inc

Machine Learning Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

Background in competitive programming. * Contributions to open-source initiatives. * Notable awards or publications in leading journals/conferences. * Experience thriving in a fast-paced, hyper ...

Mintex Technology

Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$185K/yr

Competitive programming achievements (ICPC, IOI, IMO, etc.) * Background from high-performing engineering organizations * Published or applied AI/ML research experience * Degree in Computer Science ...

Entravision Communications

Brand Manager

Burbank, CA · On-site

Hispanic audiences and the cultural nuances between Latin genres, while ensuring the station consistently delivers compelling, compliant, and competitive programming. Essential Functions Content ...

Hark

Member of Technical Staff, Post-training

San Jose, CA · On-site

$180K - $450K/yr

We expect strong candidates to come from a range of backgrounds - RL research, robotics, competitive programming systems, compilers, formal methods, or large-scale ML - rather than post-training ...

Phonic

Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Competitive programming or olympiad background Benefits * Top-tier compensation: in order to get the best talent, we provide salary and equity that recognize your skillset * Meals: free breakfast ...

Fuku

Member of Technical Staff Backend

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $280K/yr

... Competitive programming background. - Open-source contributions or strong GitHub projects. - Experience in AML/KYC/financial crime domains. Red Flags (Avoid) - Pure data scientists without ...

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Competitive Programming information

See California salary details

$24.7K

$87.8K

$147K

How much do competitive programming jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for competitive programming in California is $87,782.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,700.00 and $114,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced software engineers, especially those in specialized fields like machine learning, AI, or at top tech companies, can earn $500,000 or more annually through base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires advanced skills, extensive experience, and often working in competitive, high-demand environments.

What is a Competitive Programming job?

A Competitive Programming job typically involves problem-solving, algorithm design, and coding challenges similar to those found in programming contests. These roles are common in organizations that focus on algorithm-intensive domains, such as tech giants, fintech firms, and research labs. Professionals in this field often work on optimizing code performance, developing efficient solutions, and sometimes contributing to training competitive programming teams. While it is not a conventional job title, competitive programming skills are highly valued in software engineering, algorithm development, and technical interview preparation roles.

How do I get into competitive programming?

To get into competitive programming, start by learning a programming language like C++ or Python and practicing algorithms and data structures. Participate in online contests on platforms such as Codeforces, LeetCode, or AtCoder to improve problem-solving skills and gain experience in timed environments.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Competitive Programmer in a professional setting?

In a professional environment, a Competitive Programmer often spends their days solving algorithmic challenges, participating in coding contests, and refining their skills through practice and learning new techniques. They may also collaborate with teammates to prepare for team-based competitions or share strategies for tackling particularly difficult problems. While much of the work is individual, there are frequent knowledge-sharing sessions and team meetings to discuss solutions and approaches. This role generally requires staying up-to-date with the latest trends in algorithms and optimizing code for both speed and efficiency, making continuous learning an integral part of the job.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Competitive Programming position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Competitive Programmer, you need advanced problem-solving abilities, strong algorithmic knowledge, and proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Java, or Python. Familiarity with online competitive programming platforms (e.g., Codeforces, LeetCode, HackerRank) and participation in recognized contests or earning relevant certifications are valuable. Resilience, time management, and the ability to work well under pressure set standout candidates apart in this role. These skills are crucial for consistently solving complex problems efficiently and performing well in high-stress, time-limited competitions.

What programming jobs are in demand?

Programming jobs in demand include software development, data analysis, cybersecurity, and machine learning engineering. These roles often require proficiency in languages like Python, Java, or C++, and familiarity with tools such as Git and cloud platforms. Demand is driven by technology growth across industries and the need for automation and data-driven solutions.

What tech jobs pay $400,000 a year?

In competitive programming, top software engineers, technical leads, and software architects at large tech companies or in specialized roles can earn $400,000 or more annually, often including bonuses and stock options. High compensation typically requires advanced skills in algorithms, data structures, and experience with large-scale systems or competitive coding environments.
What are the most commonly searched types of Competitive Programming jobs in California? The most popular types of Competitive Programming jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Competitive Programming jobs in California? For Competitive Programming jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Competitive Programming jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Competitive Programming jobs in California are:
Competitive Programming jobs near you

Software Engineer

Voltai, Inc

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

About Voltai
Voltai is developing world models, and agents to learn, evaluate, plan, experiment, and interact with the physical world. We are starting out with understanding and building hardware; electronics systems and semiconductors where AI can design and create beyond human cognitive limits.
About the Team
Backed by Silicon Valley's top investors, Stanford University, and CEOs/Presidents of Google, AMD, Broadcom, Marvell, etc. We are a team of previous Stanford professors, SAIL researchers, Olympiad medalists (IPhO, IOI, etc.), CTOs of Synopsys & GlobalFoundries, Head of Sales & CRO of Cadence, former US Secretary of Defense, National Security Advisor, and Senior Foreign-Policy Advisor to four US presidents.
What we are Looking For
  • 3+ Years of Software Engineering experience graduated from top-tier CS, EECS, math or physics programs.
  • Willingness to work hard, move fast and grow quickly in a rapidly changing environment.
  • Experience with implementing complex agentic workflows.
  • Experience with Python, C++. Typescript, & React in complex products.

Bonus Points
  • Background in competitive programming.
  • Experience as an early engineer at a hyper-growth startup.

Apply