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Experienced Software Engineer Jobs in California

Omega Solutions, Inc. is seeking an experienced Software Engineer to join their team. This role involves designing and developing full stack applications, primarily using Angular Typescript and Java ...

software engineer

Palmdale, CA ยท On-site

$100 - $120/hr

The vehicle management software team is looking for an experienced software engineer to contribute to new development software designed to fly both our current platforms and the aircraft of the ...

Senior Software Engineer

Goleta, CA ยท On-site

$130K - $190K/yr

The experienced software engineer will design, develop, and perform analysis utilizing GIS tools. This position is an opportunity to work on a development team with senior staff members guiding ...

Showing results 41-60

Experienced Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$62.7K

$145.6K

$202.8K

How much do experienced software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for experienced software engineer in California is $145,592.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,400.00 and $170,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an experienced software engineer?

Experienced software engineers are professionals who design, develop, test, and maintain software applications and systems. They typically have several years of industry experience, which enables them to take on complex projects, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to architecture and strategic decisions. In addition to strong programming skills, experienced software engineers often possess expertise in software design patterns, system architecture, and project management. Their role is crucial for ensuring code quality, scalability, and the successful delivery of software products.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as an experienced software engineer?

To thrive as an Experienced Software Engineer, you need strong proficiency in programming languages (such as Java, Python, or C++), problem-solving abilities, and a relevant degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with development frameworks, version control systems (like Git), cloud platforms, and often certifications in specific technologies are highly valuable. Effective communication, teamwork, and adaptability help engineers collaborate on complex projects and respond to evolving requirements. These skills and qualities are crucial to delivering reliable, efficient software solutions and excelling in dynamic engineering environments.

What opportunities for mentorship and leadership are available to experienced software engineers?

Experienced software engineers often have the chance to mentor junior team members, lead project teams, or take ownership of significant technical initiatives. Many companies encourage senior engineers to participate in code reviews, architecture discussions, and knowledge-sharing sessions, which can enhance leadership skills while contributing to the team's growth. Additionally, organizations frequently offer pathways into technical leadership roles, such as Tech Lead or Engineering Manager, enabling experienced engineers to expand their influence and impact across projects.

What is the difference between Experienced Software Engineer vs Software Developer?

AspectExperienced Software EngineerSoftware Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in CS or related field, relevant certificationsBachelor's degree often preferred, coding bootcamps accepted
Work EnvironmentCollaborative teams, project management, system designFocus on coding, application development, and implementation
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, startups, enterprise ITSoftware firms, tech startups, freelance projects

While both roles involve coding and software development, an Experienced Software Engineer typically has a broader scope, including system design and team leadership, whereas a Software Developer primarily focuses on writing code and building applications. The roles often overlap, but the engineer's experience usually encompasses more complex project responsibilities.

What job categories do people searching Experienced Software Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Experienced Software Engineer jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Experienced Software Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 73% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 24% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,592 per year, or $70 per hour.

Software Engineer (6+ years)

Continuum Resource Network

San Diego, CA โ€ข On-site

Contractor

Medical, Life, Retirement

Posted 29 days ago


Job description

We are helping an on-demand, autonomous ride-hailing company find a Software Engineer to design and build production-grade AI applications, agents, and conversational systems.
In this role, you'll develop AI-powered products that support complex task execution, decision-making, and customer interactions. You'll evaluate and integrate large language models, build Retrieval-Augmented Generation systems, and partner with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable, reliable AI solutions.
The ideal candidate is an experienced software engineer with a strong Python and machine learning background, hands-on experience building AI applications, and a practical understanding of how to balance model accuracy, latency, cost, and user experience.
As a Software Engineer, you'll:
  • Design and develop AI agents and autonomous systems capable of complex task execution and decision-making.
  • Build conversational AI applications, including chatbots and voice-based customer service systems.
  • Develop AI-powered integrations across applications, platforms, and services.
  • Design and optimize Retrieval-Augmented Generation systems using vector databases, embeddings, retrieval strategies, and prompt engineering.
  • Develop, implement, and optimize machine learning models using PyTorch.
  • Evaluate and select large language models based on accuracy, latency, cost, capabilities, and user experience.
  • Translate business requirements into scalable technical AI solutions in partnership with cross-functional teams.
  • Architect, deploy, and maintain production-grade AI systems with a focus on reliability, scalability, security, and performance.
  • Monitor AI system performance and improve model quality, response accuracy, and operational efficiency.

Requirements
Qualifications:
  • 6+ years Proficiency in Python for AI/ML development
  • 6+ years Experience with PyTorch (or willingness to learn for entry-level candidates)
  • Understanding of AI agents and their application to real-world problems
  • Hands-on experience or strong interest in building chatbots and/or voice-based conversational systems
  • Knowledge of RAG system components: vector databases, embeddings, retrieval strategies, and prompt engineering
  • Familiarity with major LLM providers (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta, etc.) and understanding of their trade-offs in terms of performance, cost, latency, and capabilities
  • Understanding of transformer neural network architecture and attention mechanisms 6+ years
  • Experience integrating AI capabilities into applications or eagerness to learn application development

Bonus Qualifications:
  • Proficiency in Kotlin programming
  • Full-stack development experience with both backend and frontend technologies
  • Cloud software development experience, especially microservices architecture and integration
  • Experience with REST APIs, gRPC, and/or Kafka for service communication and event-driven architectures
  • Knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) for AI deployment
  • Familiarity with containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes)
  • Experience with AI frameworks like LangChain, LlamaIndex, AutoGen, or similar tools Understanding of CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices

Benefits
Life Insurance
Medical Insurance
401k