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Data Science Software Engineer Jobs in California

xAI

Software Engineer - Data

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

At xAI, we are building AI systems that push the frontier of human knowledge and scientific ... As a Software Engineer on xAI's Data team, you will be responsible for developing applications that ...

xAI

Software Engineer - Data

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

At xAI, we are building AI systems that push the frontier of human knowledge and scientific ... As a Software Engineer on xAI's Data team, you will be responsible for developing applications that ...

Adidev Technologies Inc

Data Science

San Francisco, CA · On-site

As a Data Scientist/Data Science Specialist for Adidev Technologies Inc., you will be enhancing and ... software engineers. Not only do we offer a great team to work with, but we also offer you an ...

Adidev Technologies Inc

Data Science

San Francisco, CA · Remote

As a Data Scientist/Data Science Specialist for Adidev Technologies Inc., you will be enhancing and ... software engineers. Not only do we offer a great team to work with, but we also offer you an ...

Intelliswift Software

Software Engineer

Newark, CA · On-site

$181K - $190K/yr

Analyze specifications, communications, data points, and programming requirements gathered per ... Position requires a Master's degree or foreign equivalent degree in Computer Science, Software ...

SpaceX

Software Engineer, Data (Starlink)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$145K - $175K/yr

Bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, engineering, math, physics, or scientific discipline; OR 2+ years of professional experience building software in lieu of a degree * 1+ years of ...

SpaceX

Software Engineer, Data (Starlink)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$145K - $175K/yr

Bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, engineering, math, physics, or scientific discipline; OR 2+ years of professional experience building software in lieu of a degree * 1+ years of ...

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All JobsData Science Software Engineer JobsData Science Software Engineer Jobs in California

Data Science Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$43.9K

$128K

$175.2K

How much do data science software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for data science software engineer in California is $128,018.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $113,000.00 and $135,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Data Science Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Data Science Software Engineer, you need strong proficiency in programming (especially Python or R), a solid understanding of statistics and algorithms, and typically a degree in computer science, data science, or a related field. Familiarity with machine learning frameworks (such as TensorFlow or scikit-learn), data processing tools (like Spark or Hadoop), and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure) is essential, as are relevant certifications. Excellent problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams set top performers apart. These competencies are vital for efficiently developing scalable data-driven solutions that drive business insights and innovation.

How does a Data Science Software Engineer typically collaborate with data scientists and other stakeholders on projects?

Data Science Software Engineers play a vital role in bridging the gap between data science and software engineering teams. They work closely with data scientists to translate prototypes and models into scalable, production-ready code, and often collaborate with product managers, analysts, and infrastructure engineers to ensure seamless integration. Regular communication and code reviews are essential, as is an iterative development process to address feedback and ensure solutions meet both technical and business requirements. This cross-functional collaboration helps deliver robust data-driven applications that align with organizational goals.

Which is the hardest field in it?

For a Data Science Software Engineer, the most challenging fields often involve complex machine learning algorithms, large-scale data processing, and advanced statistical analysis. Staying current with rapidly evolving tools like Python, R, and cloud platforms also requires continuous learning and adaptation. These areas demand strong problem-solving skills and deep technical knowledge.

What is a Data Science Software Engineer?

A Data Science Software Engineer is a professional who combines software engineering skills with data science expertise to build scalable data-driven systems and applications. They design, develop, and optimize software that supports data pipelines, machine learning models, and analytics platforms. Their work bridges the gap between data scientists, who focus on statistical analysis and modeling, and traditional software engineers, who focus on building robust and efficient software systems. Data Science Software Engineers ensure that data solutions are production-ready, scalable, and maintainable.

Can a software engineer work as a data scientist?

A software engineer can transition to a data scientist role by developing skills in statistics, machine learning, and data analysis, often using tools like Python, R, and SQL. While the roles have different focuses, software engineers' programming expertise can be a strong foundation for data science work, especially with additional training or experience in data modeling and analytics.

Is 40 too late for data science?

Data science software engineers can enter the field at any age, as success depends on skills, experience, and continuous learning. Many professionals transition into data science later in their careers by acquiring relevant knowledge in programming, statistics, and tools like Python or R. Age is not a barrier if you develop the necessary technical expertise and stay current with industry trends.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior data science software engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in machine learning, and proficiency in tools like Python, R, and cloud platforms can reach salaries of $500,000 or more, especially in high-cost-of-living areas or within large tech companies. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, reflecting their expertise and impact on business outcomes.

What is the difference between Data Science Software Engineer vs Data Analyst?

AspectData Science Software EngineerData Analyst
Required SkillsProgramming, software development, machine learningData visualization, statistical analysis, reporting
Work EnvironmentSoftware development teams, engineering projectsBusiness units, reporting teams
Common ToolsPython, Java, SQL, ML frameworksExcel, Tableau, SQL, R
Industry UsageTech, finance, healthcare, startupsMarketing, finance, retail, research

While both roles analyze data, Data Science Software Engineers focus on developing software solutions and machine learning models, requiring strong programming skills. Data Analysts primarily interpret data through visualization and statistical methods to support business decisions. The roles often overlap but serve different functions within organizations.

What are popular job titles related to Data Science Software Engineer jobs in California? For Data Science Software Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Data Science Software Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Data Science Software Engineer jobs in California are:
Data Science Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Data Science Software Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,018 per year, or $61.5 per hour.

Software Engineer - Data

xAI

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

ABOUT xAI

xAI's mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity. We operate with a flat organizational structure. All employees are expected to be hands-on and to contribute directly to the company's mission. Leadership is given to those who show initiative and consistently deliver excellence. Work ethic and strong prioritization skills are important. All employees are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

At xAI, we are building AI systems that push the frontier of human knowledge and scientific discovery. High-quality data is fundamental to every stage of that mission. Our Data team is responsible for ensuring that the models are trained on the right data, in the right form, at the right quality, across every phase of the training lifecycle. This includes partnering closely with acquisition teams to identify where valuable data can be sourced, determining what data is needed to improve model performance, and building the production pipelines and systems that transform raw inputs into high-quality training data at scale. We work at the intersection of software, data, infrastructure, and machine learning to ensure our models train effectively and reliably.

As a Software Engineer on xAI's Data team, you will be responsible for developing applications that power data acquisition, preparation, training, quality evaluation, and delivery for model training. You will provide the ability to run training in a reliable, scalable and repeatable manner. You will also provide visibility on training status and data lineage. You will work closely with acquisition teams, ML engineers, and data engineers to build a reliable data pipeline to run training at scale. The ideal candidate combines strong software engineering fundamentals and excellent coding practices.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Develop a highly reliable and scalable enterprise data platform to orchestrate data acquisition, preparation, training, quality evaluation, and delivery for model training
  • Create new features such as data lineage, visibility, and monitoring for end-to-end training that improve the quality of the data and model performance
  • Collaborate with peers on architecture, design, and code reviews
  • Build prototypes to prove out key design concepts and quantify technical constraints
  • Own all aspects of software engineering and product development
  • Deep dive into business problems, find efficient solutions and apply first principles thinking
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, engineering, math, physics, or scientific discipline; OR 2+ years of professional experience building software in lieu of a degree
  • 1+ years of experience in application development, software engineering, data engineering, or data science
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Programming experience in Python, Rust, Java, C#, Scala, Go or similar languages
  • Frontend experience in Angular, React, or similar JavaScript frameworks
  • Hands-on experience with Kubernetes and containerized deployments
  • Experience with Ray, AI training and orchestration
  • Experience with relational and non-relational databases, data lakes e.g. PostgreSQL, Iceberg, Clickhouse, or similar
  • Experience with data exploration tools like Grafana, Superset, or similar
  • Good understanding of version control, testing, continuous integration, build, deployment and monitoring
  • Good understanding of statistics, machine learning algorithms and frameworks
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

$150,000 - $250,000 USD

Base salary is just one part of our total rewards package at xAI, which also includes equity, comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and various other discounts and perks.

xAI is an equal opportunity employer. For details on data processing, view our Recruitment Privacy Notice.