ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Early Software Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Deepinfra

Software Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$150K - $195K/yr

Software Engineer DeepInfra is looking for early-career Software Engineers to join our team. You'll work on designing, building, and scaling infrastructure for serving top open-source AI models in ...

Affirm

Software Engineer, Early Career

San Francisco, CA

$115K - $155K/yr

Software Engineer, Early Career San Francisco, California, United States Affirm is reinventing credit to make it more honest and friendly, giving consumers the flexibility to buy now and pay later ...

Apex

Early Flight Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$125K - $137K/yr

Support commissioning of spacecraft during launch and early operations and ensure software systems ... Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C++, Rust. * Experience with real time ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsEarly Software Developer JobsEarly Software Developer Jobs in California

Early Software Developer information

What is the difference between Early Software Developer vs Junior Software Engineer?

AspectEarly Software DeveloperJunior Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in CS or related field; coding bootcampsBachelor's in CS or related field; internships
Work EnvironmentStartups, tech companies, internshipsTech firms, corporate teams, internships
Employer UsageEntry-level roles for new grads or career switchersEntry-level position for recent graduates

Both roles are entry-level positions requiring similar educational backgrounds and are often used interchangeably. The main difference lies in terminology preference; "Early Software Developer" emphasizes a developmental role, while "Junior Software Engineer" is more common in corporate settings. Both serve as stepping stones into software engineering careers.

How do I get a developer job with no experience?

To get an early software developer job with no experience, focus on building a strong portfolio of projects, contribute to open-source code, and learn relevant programming languages like Python or JavaScript. Gaining certifications or completing coding bootcamps can also demonstrate your skills to employers, and internships or apprenticeships can provide valuable hands-on experience.

Is 30 too late to become a software developer?

Early software developers can start at any age, and many successful programmers begin their careers later in life. Learning programming languages, such as Python or Java, and gaining practical experience through projects or certifications can help transition into the field regardless of age.

What types of projects can an Early Software Developer expect to work on during their first year?

As an Early Software Developer, you will typically start by contributing to smaller features, bug fixes, and code reviews within your team. These projects help you become familiar with the codebase, development tools, and team workflows. Over time, you may be gradually assigned more complex tasks or given ownership of certain modules, often collaborating with senior developers and other stakeholders. This hands-on experience is crucial for building technical skills and understanding the software development lifecycle in a real-world environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Early Software Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Early Software Developer, you need a solid understanding of programming fundamentals, problem-solving abilities, and typically a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with common programming languages (such as Python, Java, or JavaScript), version control systems like Git, and basic software development tools is essential. Strong communication, eagerness to learn, and collaboration skills help developers adapt quickly and work effectively within teams. These skills ensure new developers can produce reliable code, integrate into engineering workflows, and grow within fast-paced tech environments.

What is L1, L2, L3, and L4 developer?

In software development, L1, L2, L3, and L4 often refer to different levels of technical expertise and responsibility. An early software developer typically starts at L1 or L2, focusing on basic coding and debugging, while higher levels like L3 and L4 involve more complex problem-solving, system design, and leadership roles. These levels help define career progression and skill expectations within a development team.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior software engineers, especially those in high-demand fields like machine learning, cloud computing, or fintech, can earn $500,000 or more annually with bonuses and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills, and working at large tech companies or startups with significant funding.

What are Early Software Developers?

Early Software Developers are professionals who are in the initial stages of their software development careers, often with 0-2 years of experience. They typically focus on learning core programming concepts, working on entry-level coding tasks, and contributing to software projects under the guidance of more experienced developers. These roles are ideal for recent graduates or individuals transitioning into the tech industry, providing them with opportunities to build foundational skills, collaborate with teams, and grow their technical knowledge. Early Software Developers often work with languages such as Python, Java, or JavaScript and may be involved in debugging, testing, or implementing features as part of a larger development team.
What cities in California are hiring for Early Software Developer jobs? Cities in California with the most Early Software Developer job openings:
Early Software Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Early Software Developer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.
Senior Principal Software Engineer - Accelerated Verification IP

Senior Principal Software Engineer - Accelerated Verification IP

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

San Jose, CA • On-site

$154K - $286K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 hours ago

Job description

At Cadence, we hire and develop leaders and innovators who want to make an impact on the world of technology.
The AVIP (Accelerated Verification IP) and Virtual Bridge (VB) business is a core part of Cadence's Virtual Emulation and System Verification portfolio, enabling high-performance verification on Palladium and Protium platforms. The team builds high-performance protocol solutions that enable customers to verify complex SoCs and systems at much higher speed and scale than traditional simulation.
Together, AVIP and VB are critical to customers building high-performance compute, AI, networking, and memory-coherent systems, where early software bring-up, performance analysis, and protocol compliance are essential.
The AVIP / Virtual Bridge R&D team designs, implements, and productizes protocol solutions that span hardware, software, and system-level verification. The team works across multiple layers, including:
  • Protocol architecture and feature definition
  • High-performance transactor and BFM development
  • Hardware-software co-simulation and emulation flows
  • Debug, logging, performance profiling, and compliance features
  • Customer enablement, escalations, and interoperability validation

The team supports a broad portfolio of industry-standard protocols, such as PCIe, CXL, Ethernet, USB, UCIe, and emerging interconnects, and works closely with emulation platform teams, controller/PHY teams, and customers.
This role will contribute directly to the development and enhancement of PCIe/CXL AVIP and/or PCIe/CXL Virtual Bridge products, focusing on protocol functionality, performance, and robustness. Depending on the specific protocol area, the work may involve:
  • Implementing PCIe protocol features and state machines
  • Enhancing performance and scalability on emulation platforms
  • Developing debug, trace, and analysis capabilities
  • Supporting system-level and software-driven use cases via PCIe Virtual Bridge
  • Working with customers and field teams to resolve issues and deliver solutions related to PCIe and CXL

In this role, the engineer will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining PCIe/CXL AVIP/VB components as part of a larger protocol solution. The role is hands-on and spans feature development, validation, and customer readiness.
Key responsibilities include:
  • Designing and implementing protocol functionality in PCIe AVIP and/or Virtual Bridge components
  • Developing and debugging BFMs, transactors, and associated software interfaces
  • Ensuring correctness, performance, and scalability in emulation and acceleration flows
  • Collaborating with cross-functional teams
  • Participating in feature bring-up, regression, and release activities
  • Supporting customer issues, reproducing problems, and delivering fixes

What you'll need
  • BS with a minimum of 10 years of experience OR MS with a minimum of 7 years of experience OR PhD with a minimum of 5 years of experience
  • Strong fundamentals in digital design, computer architecture, and system-level verification
  • Experience with hardware description languages (SystemVerilog/Verilog) and/or C/C++
  • Understanding of standard interconnect or IO protocols (e.g., PCIe, CXL, NVMe)
  • Familiarity with emulation, acceleration, or hybrid verification flows is a strong plus
  • Good debugging skills using waveforms, logs, and protocol analyzers
  • Ability to work across hardware and software boundaries

The annual salary range for California is $154,000 to $286,000. You may also be eligible to receive incentive compensation: bonus, equity, and benefits. Sales positions generally offer a competitive On Target Earnings (OTE) incentive compensation structure. Please note that the salary range is a guideline and compensation may vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies and work location. Our benefits programs include: paid vacation and paid holidays, 401(k) plan with employer match, employee stock purchase plan, a variety of medical, dental and vision plan options, and more.
We're doing work that matters. Help us solve what others can't.

Apply