Computer Science Startup Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The opportunity
Adobe's EPG (Emerging Products Group), also known as the Nextcam team, is seeking Computer Scientists with graduate training or equivalent experience in computer vision, modern AI, or computational photography, as well as Software Development Engineers with expertise in AI models, to join our team in San Jose, California..
This is a relatively new team, led by VP and Fellow Marc Levoy, that is exploring next-generation product opportunities centered around the concept of a camera app empowered by AI, computer vision, and computational photography. The team also develops technologies and features for Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, and other imaging products, with the opportunity for broad impact. As examples of what we work on, the team recently launched an AI-based feature for removing window reflections from photographs; as described in this blog. Earlier in 2024 we launched an AI model that automatically adjusts the tone and color of photographs, as described in this blog.
Finally, in June 2025 we launched Project Indigo, an experimental camera app for iPhone that combines computational photography and AI, and that deliberately explores the boundaries of what is possible in a mobile camera. The app offers full manual controls, a more natural ("SLR-like") look, and the highest image quality that computational photography can provide - in both JPEG and raw formats. It also introduces new photographic experiences not available in other camera apps. The app, which is available for free on the App Store, went viral after launch, garnering millions of downloads and earning broad positive coverage in the tech press. Here is a blog about the app.
If you are passionate about photography and AI, and if you enjoy full-stack challenges - from research to development to productization, leading to broad product impact that puts magical new imaging features in the hands of millions of users, this is your opportunity to work with a great team who is changing the photography industry.
What you'll do

• Our team works like a startup inside Adobe, making this a unique "best of both worlds" opportunity. If you'd love the flexibility and personal impact of joining an exciting startup but also dream of having the deep resources and global launch stage that only an industry leader like Adobe can offer, this is where you belong.
• Depending on your skill set, you can have a strong input on the direction of products, researching and developing new computational photography algorithms, and deploying them in Indigo, Lightroom, Photoshop, and other products.
• Alternatively, you can work with researchers to develop and tune AI-heavy features for photography and video, including translating image processing code from Python into C++ for integration into Indigo, Camera Raw, or other codebases, or into CoreML, ONNX etc. for deployment on MacOS, Windows, iOS, Android devices.

What you need to succeed

• M.S., or PhD degree in Computer Science or a related field.
• Experience with computer vision, computational photography, and/or modern AI applied to these fields.
• An interest in applying your skills to problems in photography, videography and imaging defined broadly.
• A plus would be experience in photography and videography, including having a portfolio of your own work.
• Strong programming skills (including C/C++ and Python).
• Experience with AI tools (e.g. PyTorch, CoreML, LiteRT, ONNX).
• A plus would be knowledge of the iOS or Android platforms and mobile app development environments.
• Another plus would be experience in programming on GPUs or other hardware accelerators.
• Enthusiasm for working with AI coding agents while maintaining high-quality.

About Adobe
Adobe empowers everyone to create through innovative platforms and tools that unleash creativity, productivity and personalized customer experiences. Adobe's industry-leading offerings including Adobe Acrobat Studio, Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly, Creative Cloud, Adobe Experience Platform, Adobe Experience Manager, and GenStudio enable people and businesses to turn ideas into impact, powered by AI and driven by human ingenuity.
Our 30,000+ employees worldwide are creating the future and raising the bar as we drive the next decade of growth. We're on a mission to hire the very best and believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. At Adobe, we believe that great ideas can come from anywhere in the organization. The next big idea could be yours.
Let's Adobe together
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Our interviews are designed to reflect your own skills and thinking. The use of AI or recording tools during live interviews is not permitted unless explicitly invited by the interviewer or approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation. If these tools are used inappropriately or in a way that misrepresents your work, your application may not move forward in the process.
At Adobe, we empower employees to innovate with AI - and we look for candidates eager to do the same. As part of the hiring experience, we provide clear guidance on where AI is encouraged during the process and where it's restricted during live interviews. See how we think about AI in the hiring experience.
Expected Pay Range:
Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The U.S. pay range for this position is $120,700 -- $238,600 annually. Pay within this range varies by work location and may also depend on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the job location during the hiring process.
In California, the pay range for this position is $164,800 - $238,600
At Adobe, for sales roles starting salaries are expressed as total target compensation (TTC = base + commission), and short-term incentives are in the form of sales commission plans. Non-sales roles starting salaries are expressed as base salary and short-term incentives are in the form of the Annual Incentive Plan (AIP).
In addition, certain roles may be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of a new hire equity award.
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California:
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Adobe will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with state and local laws and "fair chance" ordinances.
Colorado:
Application Window Notice
If this role is open to hiring in Colorado (as listed on the job posting), the application window will remain open until at least the date and time stated above in Pacific Time, in compliance with Colorado pay transparency regulations. If this role does not have Colorado listed as a hiring location, no specific application window applies, and the posting may close at any time based on hiring needs.
Massachusetts:
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It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.