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Entry Level Competitive Programming Jobs in San Jose, CA

Muon Space

Software Engineer, Entry-Level

San Jose, CA

$142K - $169K/yr

Previous experience on technical project teams (i.e. programming, robotics or rocket club, etc ... a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be ...

Muon Space

Software Engineer, Entry-Level

San Jose, CA · On-site

$142K - $169K/yr

Previous experience on technical project teams (i.e. programming, robotics or rocket club, etc ... a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be ...

Muon Space

Software Engineer, Entry-Level

San Jose, CA · On-site

$142K - $169K/yr

Previous experience on technical project teams (i.e. programming, robotics or rocket club, etc ... a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be ...

Jask Labs Inc.

Sales Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Competitive benefits and equity available at this amazing startup! JASK is looking for an entry level Sales Engineer to join our team demonstrating and installing proof of concepts with our market ...

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Entry Level Competitive Programming information

See San Jose, CA salary details

$16

$31

$92

How much do entry level competitive programming jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level competitive programming in San Jose, CA is $31.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.00 and $27.07 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Entry Level Competitive Programming vs Entry Level Software Developer?

AspectEntry Level Competitive ProgrammingEntry Level Software Developer
Required CredentialsBasic programming skills, problem-solvingProgramming skills, possibly a degree in CS or related field
Work EnvironmentCompetitive programming platforms, online contestsSoftware development teams, tech companies
Employer & Industry UsageUsed for skill demonstration, competitionsUsed for building software products, applications
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding skills overlap, career pathsJob requirements, skill differences

Entry Level Competitive Programming focuses on solving algorithmic problems in contests, emphasizing problem-solving skills. Entry Level Software Developer involves building software applications in a professional environment. While both require strong programming skills, competitive programming is more about algorithmic challenges, whereas software development emphasizes practical coding and project work.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level competitive programmer?

To thrive as an Entry Level Competitive Programmer, you need a solid grasp of algorithms, data structures, and problem-solving skills, often supported by coursework or a computer science degree. Familiarity with programming languages like C++, Java, or Python, and experience with online platforms such as Codeforces or LeetCode, is highly valuable. Strong analytical thinking, persistence, and effective time management help set standout performers apart. These skills are crucial for efficiently tackling complex coding challenges under time constraints and for excelling in programming contests or technical interviews.

What types of projects or tasks can I expect to work on as an entry level competitive programmer?

As an entry-level competitive programming professional, you will typically work on algorithmic problem-solving tasks, code optimization challenges, and sometimes contribute to designing practice problems for coding platforms. Your daily responsibilities may involve participating in internal contests, analyzing and debugging code, and collaborating with peers to review solutions and improve efficiency. This role often requires close teamwork with other programmers and mentors, providing a supportive environment to enhance your coding and analytical skills.

What is entry level competitive programming?

Entry level competitive programming refers to the practice of solving coding problems and algorithmic challenges, typically in online contests, by individuals who are new to the field. It involves learning basic data structures, algorithms, and programming concepts, and participating in beginner-friendly competitions. These activities help you develop problem-solving skills, logical thinking, and coding efficiency, which are valuable for both academic growth and technical job interviews.
Entry Level Competitive Programming jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Competitive Programming job openings in San Jose, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 80% In-person, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,156 per year, or $31.3 per hour.

Software Engineer, Entry-Level

Muon Space

San Jose, CA

$142K - $169K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

About the role

Software Engineers at Muon work on embedded software on satellites and test equipment, physics simulations, customer-facing APIs and services, user interfaces, scheduling algorithms, data pipelines, computer vision, signal processing, cloud systems and more. They make it possible to build, test, launch, and run constellations of satellites for a wide variety of missions.

Entry-level software engineers are expected to bring significant skills and training, and then to quickly develop into experts in their domains to accelerate Muon's Mission with high quality software and systems. They must be a high performer ready to work in an exciting, fast-paced environment that values continuous improvement, embraces taking risks, and crafts the right solutions to delight our customers.

This position is hybrid and requires working on-site in our San Jose, CA office three days per week.

Responsibilities
  • Take ownership of the code for a new software capability on ground or in space
  • Propose and iterate on the design for software components
  • Write tests and monitoring to validate correctness of one's own code
  • Conduct analysis to support both development and testing
  • Quickly learn new skills, technology and techniques
  • Communicate clearly and accurately
  • Complete work in a timely manner
Required Qualifications
  • A bachelor's degree in computer science, aerospace engineering, computational mathematics or a related field
  • Proficient in C++, Python, TypeScript or a similar high-level language
  • Coursework or relevant experience in operating systems, algorithms, data structures, physics and statistics
Desirable Qualifications
  • Expertise in embedded software, network protocols, hardware and software testing, FPGA programming, GPU programming or other relevant disciplines
  • Experience with satellites, robots, or other autonomous systems
  • Previous experience on technical project teams (i.e. programming, robotics or rocket club, etc.)
  • Understanding of orbital mechanics
  • Experience with mathematical optimization, machine learning, signal processing or advanced algorithms
  • Experience with cloud environments and distributed systems
  • Advanced coursework or experience in physics, statistics, distributed systems, or embedded software
Salary

The salary range for this role is $142,000 - $169,000, plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be determined based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location as assessed during the interview process. 

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