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Computer Scientist Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

MiniMed

Distinguished Scientist

Los Angeles, CA

The Distinguished Scientist will serve as a glucose sensor expert with deep first-principles ... The employee is also required to interact with a computer and communicate with peers and co-workers.

Tamarind Bio, Inc

Computational Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

Thousands of scientists from large pharma companies, top biotechs, and academic institutions use Tamarind to design protein drugs, improve industrial enzymes, and create cutting edge molecules that ...

Pioneer Data Systems

Scientist

South San Francisco, CA · On-site

... apply scientific and technical experience to ensure safe, high-quality lab practices • Ensure high-quality, timely documentation in electronic laboratory notebooks and Technical Reports and ...

MiniMed

Distinguished Scientist

Northridge, CA · On-site

The Distinguished Scientist will serve as a glucose sensor expert with deep first-principles ... The employee is also required to interact with a computer and communicate with peers and co-workers.

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All JobsComputer Scientist JobsComputer Scientist Jobs in California

Computer Scientist information

See California salary details

$49.8K

$109.9K

$135.7K

How much do computer scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for computer scientist in California is $109,885.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,300.00 and $135,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Computer Scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Computer Scientist, you need a strong background in mathematics, programming, and algorithm design, usually supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with programming languages (such as Python, Java, C++), development tools, and version control systems is typically required, along with knowledge of specialized software or frameworks relevant to your area. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are crucial soft skills that help you collaborate and present complex ideas clearly. These skills and qualifications are important for developing innovative solutions, advancing technology, and working efficiently in multidisciplinary teams.

What are the jobs of a computer scientist?

A computer scientist designs, develops, and analyzes algorithms, software, and systems to solve complex problems. They often work in research, software development, data analysis, and cybersecurity, utilizing programming languages and computational theory. Their work may involve creating new technologies or improving existing ones, often requiring strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

What are computer scientists?

Computer scientists are professionals who study the theory, design, development, and application of computer systems and software. They work on solving complex problems using algorithms, programming languages, and computational methods. Their work can range from developing new technologies, improving cybersecurity, creating software, to researching artificial intelligence and machine learning. Computer scientists are employed in various industries, including tech companies, research institutions, government agencies, and academia.

What Does a Computer Scientist Do?

Computer scientists solve problems using technology. They write and program software, create applications for mobile devices, and develop websites. Their primary objectives are to validate and to develop mathematical models capable of computer interaction between people and other computers. They do this by running computer programs and improving computer processes and performance. Beyond working within theoretical frameworks, computer scientists can also research and focus in areas such as data structure and algorithms, information and database theory, software engineering, numerical analysis, computational complexity theory, computer graphics, programming language theory, and computer vision.

What would a computer scientist do?

A computer scientist researches, develops, and applies algorithms, software, and systems to solve complex problems. They may work on programming, data analysis, artificial intelligence, or cybersecurity, often using programming languages and tools to create innovative solutions. Their work can involve designing software, analyzing data, or improving computing processes.

How do computer scientists typically collaborate with other departments within an organization?

Computer scientists often work closely with teams from engineering, product management, data analytics, and IT to design, implement, and optimize technological solutions. Collaboration may involve participating in cross-functional meetings, providing technical expertise to inform business decisions, and integrating software systems with other platforms. Effective communication and teamwork are key, as computer scientists must translate complex technical concepts into actionable insights for non-technical colleagues. This collaborative environment not only broadens your professional network but also enhances your problem-solving skills through exposure to diverse perspectives.

What jobs can you do with computer science?

A computer scientist can work in roles such as software developer, data analyst, systems analyst, cybersecurity specialist, or research scientist. These jobs often require programming skills, knowledge of algorithms, and familiarity with tools like databases and operating systems. Many positions are available in technology companies, research institutions, and various industries that rely on computing solutions.

Is computer science dead due to AI?

Computer scientists develop and improve AI technologies, making their role essential as AI advances. The field continues to evolve, requiring skills in algorithms, programming, and data analysis to address new challenges and applications.

What is the difference between Computer Scientist vs Software Engineer?

AspectComputer ScientistSoftware Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in CS or related field; often advanced degreesBachelor's or higher in CS, Software Engineering, or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academia, R&D departmentsTech companies, software development firms, IT departments
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutions, tech companiesSoftware development companies, startups, large corporations
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles, career paths, and skillsJob requirements, responsibilities, and career growth

Computer Scientists focus on theoretical foundations, algorithms, and research, often working in academia or R&D. Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications in industry settings. While both roles require strong programming skills and a background in computer science, their work environments and primary objectives differ.

More about Computer Scientist jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Computer Scientist jobs in California? The most popular types of Computer Scientist jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Computer Scientist jobs in California? For Computer Scientist jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Computer Scientist jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Computer Scientist jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Computer Scientist jobs? Cities in California with the most Computer Scientist job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Computer Scientist jobs in CA? For Computer Scientist jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Computer Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Computer Scientist job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 88% In-person, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,885 per year, or $52.8 per hour.
Computational Scientist 3, Spatial Omics & Computational Pathology

Computational Scientist 3, Spatial Omics & Computational Pathology

Genentech, Inc.

South San Francisco, CA • On-site

$129K - $240K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago

Genentech rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

10th of 73 rated pharmaceutical

Job description

The Opportunity
The Research Pathology Department, an integral part of Genentech's Research and Early Development Organization (gRED), is dedicated to ensuring that strategies for the treatment of diseases are grounded in accurate analyses of pathogenetic mechanisms. Building upon a strong foundation in digital pathology, the department is at the forefront of advancing spatial omics capabilities, integrating cutting-edge, tissue-based technologies with computational methods to enable high-resolution spatial profiling of biological systems. DPIA-SO (Digital Pathology Image Analysis-Spatial Omics) is a specialized team within Research Pathology focused on collaborative spatial omics computational analysis.
We are seeking a highly skilled Computational Scientist to join our team, operating at the intersection of computer vision, advanced machine learning, computational pathology, and spatial biology. The core focus is to develop models, digital pathology infrastructure, and AI pipelines needed to power spatial omics initiatives and scientifically driven projects. We welcome individuals from computational pathology and computer vision backgrounds who possess highly transferrable skills. Candidates with direct spatial omics machine learning expertise represent an ideal fit.
Key Responsibilities
  • Serve as the Technical Lead for computer vision, AI/ML, and multiplex imaging projects, architecting pipelines for standard whole-slide images (H&E, IHC) and high-dimensional spatial omics data.
  • Design and implement cutting-edge machine learning algorithms, including foundation models and generative architectures, for image segmentation, feature extraction, and predictive modeling.
  • Develop advanced multi-modal representation learning frameworks to harmonize disparate modalities-fusing morphological features with molecular data (transcriptomics/proteomics) to uncover spatial niches and cell-cell interactions.
  • Engineer scalable imaging data infrastructure for large-scale image storage (e.g., OME-ZARR, OME-TIFF, SpatialData) on HPC and cloud environments.
  • Embed biological priors-such as known metabolic pathways or spatial knowledge graphs-directly into the mathematical design of the AI models.
  • Collaborate closely with pathologists, wet-lab, and dry-lab researchers to interpret data, visualize results, and contribute to upstream experimental design

Who You Are
  • Ph.D in Computational Biology, Computer Science, Machine Learning, Imaging Science, Data Science, or a related highly quantitative field or a Masters Degree in these fields with 3+ years of experience may be considered.
  • Demonstrated experience in computer vision, deep learning, or image processing, specifically with tissue-based or high-dimensional imaging data.
  • Strong foundation in digital/computational pathology workflows and/or advanced machine learning (e.g., probabilistic modeling, representation learning, generative modeling).
  • Deep proficiency in Python software engineering and extensive hands-on experience with modern machine learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX).
  • Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently as a technical lead in a multidisciplinary environment.

Preferred
  • Demonstrated experience applying machine learning to single-cell spatial transcriptomics and/or spatial proteomics analysis (e.g., 10X Genomics Xenium, Visium, Lunaphore COMET).
  • Hands-on experience with multi-modal data integration, specifically combining spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, and histology datasets.
  • Familiarity with the scverse ecosystem (e.g., Scanpy, Squidpy, SpatialData, scVI), computer vision libraries (OpenCV, scikit-image), and modern cloud infrastructure.
  • Solid understanding of tissue histology, cell biology, and tumor microenvironments to inform model architecture.
  • Experience developing agentic AI systems, LLM-driven autonomous workflows, or advanced AI-oriented tools for complex biological datasets.

Relocation benefits are available for this posting.
The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of South San Francisco, CA is $129,200 - $240,000. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance. This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.
Benefits
#tech4lifeComputationalScience
Genentech is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.
If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants.

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About Genentech

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

A member of the Roche Group, Genentech has been at the forefront of the biotechnology industry for more than 40 years, using human genetic information to develop novel medicines for serious and life-threatening diseases. Genentech has multiple therapies on the market for cancer & other serious illnesses. Please take this opportunity to learn about Genentech where we believe that our employees are our most important asset & are dedicated to remaining a great place to work.

Industry

Scientific research and development services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

South San Francisco, CA, US

Year founded

1976

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