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Gen Ai Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Software Engineer, Gen AI

San Francisco, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... AI. Our Approach As part of the interview process, you'll be considered for opportunities across several teams within the GenAI Engineering organization, based on your interests, expertise, and ...

Lead Gen AI Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$55 - $60/hr

Lead AI/GenAI Engineer. Location: Irvine, CA (3 days onsite/week) Duration: 6 Months Job Summary Seeking an experienced specialized in AI or GenAI Research with 7 to 11 years of expertise in AI ...

Showing results 41-60

Gen Ai Developer information

See California salary details

$18

$44

$99

How much do gen ai developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for gen ai developer in California is $44.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.27 and $54.09 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Gen AI developer?

A Gen AI Developer is a professional who designs, builds, and deploys applications using generative artificial intelligence models, such as large language models (LLMs) or image generators. They work with AI frameworks and APIs to create solutions that can generate text, images, code, or other content based on user input. Gen AI Developers often need skills in programming, machine learning, and prompt engineering, and they play a key role in building innovative AI-powered applications across various industries.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Gen AI developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Gen AI Developer, you need a strong background in computer science, machine learning, and deep learning frameworks, often supported by a degree in a related field. Proficiency with tools such as Python, TensorFlow or PyTorch, and experience with cloud platforms like AWS or Azure, as well as relevant certifications, are commonly required. Critical thinking, creativity, and effective communication are essential soft skills for solving complex problems and collaborating with cross-functional teams. These competencies are vital for developing innovative AI solutions that drive business value and maintain technological competitiveness.

What are some common challenges Gen AI developers face when deploying models into production environments?

Gen AI Developers often encounter challenges such as ensuring model scalability, maintaining data privacy, and managing high computational requirements when deploying generative AI models. Integrating models with existing systems and monitoring for model drift or bias are also critical concerns. Close collaboration with DevOps, data engineering, and security teams is essential to build robust deployment pipelines and maintain reliable performance in real-world applications.

What is the difference between Gen Ai Developer vs Machine Learning Engineer?

AspectGen Ai DeveloperMachine Learning Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in CS, AI, or related fields; experience with AI frameworksBachelor's or higher in CS, Data Science, or related fields; strong programming skills
Work EnvironmentTech companies, AI startups, research labs focusing on generative AITech firms, data-driven companies, research institutions working on ML models
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in AI development, focusing on generative models and AI applicationsBroader industry use, including predictive modeling, data analysis, and automation

While both roles involve AI and machine learning skills, Gen AI Developers specialize in creating generative AI models like chatbots and content generators, whereas Machine Learning Engineers develop a wide range of ML algorithms for various applications. The roles often overlap but differ in focus and project types.

How can I become a Gen AI developer?

To become a Gen AI developer, you should gain strong programming skills in languages like Python, learn machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch, and develop expertise in natural language processing and large language models. Building a portfolio of AI projects and obtaining relevant certifications can also enhance your qualifications for this role.

Is a Gen AI Developer a promising career?

A Gen AI Developer is a growing role focused on creating and improving generative artificial intelligence systems, often requiring skills in machine learning, deep learning, and programming languages like Python. The demand for such developers is increasing as AI applications expand across industries, making it a promising career with strong job growth prospects.

What are popular job titles related to Gen Ai Developer jobs in California?

For Gen Ai Developer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Gen Ai Developer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Gen Ai Developer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Gen Ai Developer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Gen Ai Developer job openings:

Infographic showing various Gen Ai Developer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 63% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,966 per year, or $44.7 per hour.

Senior Lead AI Engineer (Gen AI Platform Services, Agentic AI)

Capital One National Association

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$250.80 - $286.20/hr

Other

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

Senior Lead AI Engineer (Gen AI Platform Services, Agentic AI)

Overview

At Capital One, we are creating responsible and reliable AI systems, changing banking for good. Our investments in technology infrastructure and world‑class talent position us to lead in AI. From informing customers about unusual charges to answering their questions in real time, our AI and ML applications bring humanity and simplicity to banking.

Team Description

The Intelligent Foundations and Experiences (IFX) team brings our AI vision to life. We work hand‑in‑hand with partners across the company to advance AI science and engineering, building and deploying proprietary solutions that deliver value to millions of customers. Our AI models and platforms empower teams to enhance products with transformative, responsible AI.

In this role, you will
  • Partner with cross‑functional teams of engineers, research scientists, technical program managers, and product managers to deliver AI‑powered products that change how our associates work and how our customers interact with Capital One.
  • Design, develop, test, deploy, and support AI software components including foundation model training, large language model inference, similarity search, guardrails, model evaluation, experimentation, governance, and observability.
  • Leverage a broad stack of Open Source and SaaS AI technologies such as AWS Ultraclusters, Huggingface, VectorDBs, Nemo Guardrails, PyTorch, and more.
  • Invent state‑of‑the‑art LLM optimization techniques to improve performance, scalability, cost, latency, and throughput of large‑scale production AI systems.
  • Contribute to the technical vision and long‑term roadmap of foundational AI systems at Capital One.
The Ideal Candidate
  • You love building systems, take pride in the quality of your work, and share our passion for doing the right thing.
  • You stay abreast of the latest research and can intuitively understand scientific publications, applying novel techniques in production.
  • You adapt quickly, thrive on bringing clarity to big, undefined problems, and articulate findings concisely.
  • You possess a strong foundation in engineering and mathematics, with expertise in hardware, software, and AI that enables optimization insights.
  • You are a resilient trail‑blazer who forges new paths to achieve business goals when the route is unknown.
Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, AI, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fields plus at least 6 years of experience developing AI and ML algorithms or technologies, or a Master’s degree plus at least 4 years of experience.
  • At least 6 years of experience programming with Python, Go, Scala, or Java.
Preferred Qualifications
  • 7 years of experience deploying scalable and responsible AI solutions on cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud, Azure).
  • Experience designing, developing, integrating, delivering, and supporting complex AI systems.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor an engineering team and influence cross‑functional stakeholders.
  • Experience developing AI and ML algorithms or technologies using Python, C++, C#, Java, or Golang.
  • Experience applying state‑of‑the‑art techniques for optimizing training and inference software to improve hardware utilization, latency, throughput, and cost.
  • Passion for staying abreast of the latest AI research and applying novel techniques in production.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex AI concepts to peers.
Salary and Benefits

Annual salary ranges:

  • McLean, VA: $229,900 – $262,400
  • New York, NY: $250,800 – $286,200
  • Cambridge, MA: $229,900 – $262,400
  • San Francisco, CA: $250,800 – $286,200
  • San Jose, CA: $250,800 – $286,200

Benefits include comprehensive health, financial, and other benefits supporting total well‑being. Eligibility varies based on status and levels.

Equal Opportunity & Disability/Criminal History

Capital One is an equal‑opportunity employer (EOE, including disability/vet) committed to non‑discrimination in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Capital One will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history in accordance with relevant legal requirements.

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