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Freelance Software Developer Jobs in Milpitas, CA

Data Engineer

Pleasanton, CA · On-site

$60 - $65/hr

We are seeking an experienced Lead Data Engineer to join the Supply Chain Data & AI organization ... freelancers - which sets us apart in the industries we serve. About Solomon Page Founded in 1990 ...

... that enable developers to build the future. From software to hardware our teams are shaping the ... Oversee freelance relationships and negotiate vendor agreements to secure specialized technical ...

We work in close partnership with product and engineering to deliver best-in-class interactions ... hardware and software technology and connections needed to unblock and deliver incredible ...

We work in close partnership with product and engineering to deliver best-in-class interactions ... hardware and software technology and connections needed to unblock and deliver incredible ...

They have been underserved by modern software and AI for too long. We are changing that with AI ... Manage agency and freelance partners, including our events agency, to a high quality bar and a ...

They have been underserved by modern software and AI for too long. We are changing that with AI ... Manage agency and freelance partners, including our events agency, to a high quality bar and a ...

... freelance, fractional, and payrolled. This portfolio includes the Upwork Marketplace, which ... You will lead a multi-disciplinary organization and partner closely with Product, Engineering, Data ...

Freelance Software Developer information

See Milpitas, CA salary details

$55.9K

$130.3K

$193.5K

How much do freelance software developer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance software developer in Milpitas, CA is $130,341.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,900.00 and $151,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges freelance software developers face when managing multiple clients and projects?

Freelance software developers often juggle several clients at once, which can present challenges in balancing priorities, meeting overlapping deadlines, and maintaining clear communication with each client. Effective time management and setting realistic expectations are essential to avoid burnout and ensure client satisfaction. Additionally, freelancers must stay organized with project tracking tools and proactively address scope changes to keep projects on schedule. Building strong client relationships and transparent communication can help prevent misunderstandings and foster repeat business.

What is a freelance software developer?

A freelance software developer is a self-employed professional who creates, tests, and maintains software applications for various clients on a contract or project basis. Unlike full-time employees, freelancers typically work independently, manage their own schedules, and may take on multiple projects at once. They can specialize in areas such as web development, mobile app development, or software engineering, and often find work through online platforms, networking, or direct referrals. Freelance software developers are responsible for their own business operations, including client communication, billing, and taxes.

How to become a freelance software developer?

Making the transition to working as a freelance software developer entails having extensive knowledge of and experience with several programming languages, ideally those that are in-demand like Java and Python. While you may have expertise in one area, having skills in multiple software technologies can help you find and accept more jobs as you get started. Because you’re working freelance, you need to set up a productive work environment. It’s also essential to compile a portfolio of your best work and host it on either your website or a freelancing job site. This way, you can instantly showcase your experience and skills to a business or client looking to hire for a project, which also helps you negotiate your rate.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance software developer?

To thrive as a Freelance Software Developer, you need strong coding skills in relevant programming languages, a solid understanding of software development methodologies, and a portfolio demonstrating completed projects. Familiarity with source control tools like Git, cloud platforms, and project management software is typically essential, along with knowledge of freelance platforms. Excellent communication, time management, and client relationship-building skills help you stand out in this role. These competencies are crucial for delivering high-quality work independently, attracting and retaining clients, and efficiently managing multiple projects.

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

AspectFreelance Software DeveloperSoftware Engineer
CredentialsTypically self-taught or with coding bootcamps; certifications optionalBachelor's or higher in Computer Science or related field; certifications valued
Work EnvironmentIndependent, remote or on-site client projectsEmployed by companies, working in teams or departments
Employer & Industry UsageClients across various industries; project-basedOrganizations, tech firms, startups; ongoing employment
Search & Comparison IntentLooking for freelance opportunities or project-based workSeeking full-time or contract roles within companies

While both roles involve software development, Freelance Software Developers work independently on diverse client projects, often remotely, without long-term employer ties. Software Engineers are typically employed by organizations, working within teams on ongoing projects. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

More about Freelance Software Developer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Software Developer jobs in Milpitas, CA? The most popular types of Software Developer jobs in Milpitas, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Freelance Software Developer jobs in Milpitas, CA? For Freelance Software Developer jobs in Milpitas, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Milpitas, CA are hiring for Freelance Software Developer jobs? Cities near Milpitas, CA with the most Freelance Software Developer job openings:
Infographic showing various Freelance Software Developer job openings in Milpitas, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 61% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 4% Temporary, and 24% Contract. Highlights an 76% In-person, and 24% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,341 per year, or $62.7 per hour.

Senior/Staff GIS Engineer, HD Mapping

Gatik AI

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

$160K - $230K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

Who we are

Gatik, the leader in autonomous middle-mile logistics, is revolutionizing the B2B supply chain with its autonomous transportation-as-a-service (ATaaS) solution and prioritizing safe, consistent deliveries while streamlining freight movement by reducing congestion. The company focuses on short-haul, B2B logistics for Fortune 500 retailers and in 2021 launched the world's first fully driverless commercial transportation service with Walmart. Gatik's Class 3-7 autonomous trucks are commercially deployed across major markets, including Texas, Arkansas, and Ontario, Canada, driving innovation in freight transportation. 

The company's proprietary Level 4 autonomous technology, Gatik Carrier, is custom-built to transport freight safely and efficiently between pick-up and drop-off locations on the middle mile. With robust capabilities in both highway and urban environments, Gatik Carrier serves as an all-encompassing solution that integrates advanced software and hardware powering the fleet, facilitating effortless integration into customers' logistics operations. 

About the role
We are seeking a highly motivated and technically proficient GIS Engineer, HD Mapping to join our team.
As a Geospatial / HD Mapping Engineer, you will be a key contributor to the expansion and optimization of our HD Mapping production pipeline. This hands-on role involves working with large-scale LiDAR and camera datasets, developing geospatial processing workflows, and improving our routing and topology validation systems. You will collaborate closely with internal teams and external partners to deliver high-quality maps under tight operational timelines.
This position requires a deep passion for geospatial data, strong software engineering skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced production environment.Key Responsibilities: HD
Mapping & Spatial Data Production
 
This role is onsite 5 days/week in our Mountain View, CA office!
What you'll do
  • Mapping Pipeline Development: Contribute to the design, development, and expansion of the HD Mapping production pipeline.
  • Data Processing and Validation:
    Process, clean, and validate large-scale LiDAR point cloud datasets.
    Extract and refine road-based linear and polygonal features.
    Annotate and validate 3D objects and roadway furniture.
    Perform topology validation of road networks (lane connectivity, intersection logic, turn constraints).
  • Software Engineering:
    Develop and maintain Python-based geospatial data processing tools (required).
    Contribute to performance-critical components using C++ (optional).
    Manage and process large spatial datasets using cloud infrastructure (Azure preferred).
  • Database and Spatial Queries: Work with PostGIS databases to perform advanced spatial queries, including intersection detection, geometry building/transformation, and query optimization.
  • Data Management & Collaboration:
    Support data migration, versioning, and format conversion (OSM, OpenDrive, Lanelet).
    Coordinate with remote freelancers and distributed contributors. Work closely with autonomy, perception, and planning engineering teams.
    Manage Jira tickets, contribute to sprint planning, and provide structured progress reports.
    Maintain high quality standards while delivering under tight deadlines
What we're looking for
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Geospatial Engineering, Robotics, Civil Engineering, or a related technical field.
  • Minimum 3+ years of professional experience in geospatial systems, mapping, or related fields.
  • Strong hands-on experience with GIS platforms (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS, MicroStation) and specialized tools (e.g., CloudCompare, MicroStation, OpenCities, TerraSolid, Lidar360).
  • Proven experience working with large-scale mapping/geospatial production projects and a strong understanding of LiDAR processing workflows.
  • Technical Skills:
    Strong Python programming skills.
    Experience with geospatial libraries (e.g., GDAL, Shapely, GeoPandas).
    Experience with PostGIS, including spatial indexing and query optimization.
    Familiarity with data formats: OSM, Lanelet, OpenDrive, GeoJSON, LAS/LAZ
Bonus Qualifications
  • Experience in HD Mapping production pipelines for autonomous vehicles.
  • Experience validating road network topology and connectivity logic.
  • Familiarity with routing algorithms and graph-based road modeling.
  • Experience with automation pipelines and CI/CD for geospatial systems.
  • Understanding of coordinate systems, projections, and EPSG transformations.
  • Experience with sensor calibration workflows (LiDAR + camera).
  • Experience managing distributed contributors or remote freelancers

Salary Range- $160,000- $230,000

More about Gatik

Founded in 2017 by experts in autonomous vehicle technology, Gatik has rapidly expanded its presence to Mountain View, Dallas-Fort Worth, Arkansas, and Toronto. As the first and only company to achieve fully driverless middle-mile commercial deliveries, Gatik holds a unique and defensible position in the AV industry, with a clear trajectory toward sustainable growth and profitability.

We have delivered complete, proprietary AV technology - an integration of software and hardware - to enable earlier successes for our clients in constrained Level 4 autonomy.  By choosing the middle mile - with defined point-to-point delivery, we have simplified some of the more complex AV challenges, enabling us to achieve full autonomy ahead of competitors. Given extensive knowledge of Gatik's well-defined, fixed route ODDs and hybrid architecture, we are able to hyper-optimize our models with exponentially less data, establish gate-keeping mechanisms to maintain explainability, and ensure continued safety of the system for unmanned operations.

Visit us at Gatik for more company information and Careers at Gatik for more open roles.

Notable News
  • Bloomberg: Autonomous Trucking Firm Gatik Inks Contracts Worth $600 Million
  • Forbes: Hundreds' Of Gatik Robot Delivery Trucks Headed For U.S. Roads
  • Forbes:Gatik And Loblaw Announce Largest Commercial Deployment Of AV Trucks
  • Forbes: Forget robotaxis. Upstart Gatik sees middle-mile deliveries as the path to profitable AVs
  • Tech Brew: Gatik AI exec unpacks the regulations that could shape the AV industry
  • Business Wire: Gatik Paves the Way for Safe Driverless Operations ('Freight-Only') at Scale with Industry-First Third-Party Safety Assessment Framework
  • Auto Futures: Autonomous Trucking Group Gatik Secures Investment From NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS
  • Automotive News: Gatik foresees hundreds of self-driving trucks on road soon, and that's just the beginning
  • Forbes: Isuzu And Gatik Go All In To Scale Up Driverless Freight Services
  • Bloomberg: Autonomous Vehicle Startup Takes Off by Picking Off Easier Routes
  • Reuters: Driverless vehicles on limited routes bump along despite US robotaxi scrutiny
Taking care of our team

At Gatik, we connect people of extraordinary talent and experience to an opportunity to create a more resilient supply chain and contribute to our environment's sustainability. We are diverse in our backgrounds and perspectives yet united by a bold vision and shared commitment to our values. Our culture emphasizes the importance of collaboration, respect and agility.

We at Gatik strive to create a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone feels they have opportunities to succeed and grow because we know that together we can do great things. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse team. We do not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status or any legally protected status.