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Government Programmer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Government Contracts Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$115K - $160K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153 ... Government Contracts Manager This is a unique opportunity to join a lean legal team which will give ...

Government Project Engineer

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$115K - $140K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

GOVERNMENT PROJECT ENGINEER The SpaceX engineering teams tackle the most challenging problems in space exploration by developing our reusable launch vehicles (Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy) and ...

Government Project Engineer

Hawthorne, CA

$115K - $140K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

GOVERNMENT PROJECT ENGINEER The SpaceX engineering teams tackle the most challenging problems in space exploration by developing our reusable launch vehicles (Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy) and ...

... Engineer II - RF Systems in San Diego, CA. The position is onboard Naval Information Warfare ... Coordinate installation evolutions with government entities and vendor support staff as systems ...

This requires coordination with other functional teams and working closely with government engineers and program sponsors. Responsibilities Include: * Design and analyze ruggedized mechanical systems ...

Government Contracts Manager

Torrance, CA

$100K - $140K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary ... Minimum 2 years of experience working with FAR and DFARS regulations in a government contracting ...

Engineering Technician II

Ridgecrest, CA · On-site

$21.61 - $24.16/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Engineering Technician III works closely with government engineers, program personnel, and other technicians to ensure successful execution of developmental and operational test objectives.

Engineering Technician II

Ridgecrest, CA · On-site

$21.61 - $24.16/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Engineering Technician III works closely with government engineers, program personnel, and other technicians to ensure successful execution of developmental and operational test objectives.

Engineering Technician IV

Ridgecrest, CA · On-site

$29.95 - $36/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Engineering Technician III works closely with government engineers, program personnel, and other technicians to ensure successful execution of developmental and operational test objectives.

Engineering Technician IV

Ridgecrest, CA · On-site

$29.95 - $36/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Engineering Technician III works closely with government engineers, program personnel, and other technicians to ensure successful execution of developmental and operational test objectives.

Engineering Technician IV

Ridgecrest, CA · On-site

$29.95 - $36/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Engineering Technician III works closely with government engineers, program personnel, and other technicians to ensure successful execution of developmental and operational test objectives.

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Showing results 1-20

Government Programmer information

See California salary details

$11

$39

$67

How much do government programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for government programmer in California is $39.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.38 and $50.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a government programmer?

A Government Programmer is responsible for developing, maintaining, and securing software applications for government agencies. They work with programming languages, databases, and cybersecurity protocols to ensure efficient and compliant software systems. Their duties may include writing code, debugging programs, and collaborating with analysts and IT teams. This role often requires knowledge of federal and state regulations, as well as security clearance for handling sensitive data.

What types of projects do government programmers typically work on, and how does their work impact public services?

Government Programmers often develop, maintain, and secure software systems that support various public services, including public records databases, tax processing, and emergency response tools. They may work on modernizing legacy government platforms, integrating new security measures, or creating user-facing portals for citizens. Their daily responsibilities can include coding, troubleshooting software issues, collaborating with other IT specialists, and ensuring compliance with government security and accessibility standards. This role has a direct impact on the efficiency, security, and accessibility of essential services relied upon by the public, making the work both challenging and rewarding.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a government programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Government Programmer, you need a strong background in computer programming, software development, and information security, often supported by a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Experience with languages such as Java, Python, or C#, knowledge of government IT systems, and certifications like CompTIA Security+ or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) are highly valued. Attention to detail, effective communication, and strong problem-solving skills help programmers excel when working on collaborative or cross-departmental teams. Mastery of these skills is crucial for maintaining secure, reliable, and compliant technology solutions within the public sector.

What are popular job titles related to Government Programmer jobs in California?

For Government Programmer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Government Programmer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Government Programmer jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Government Programmer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,158 per year, or $39 per hour.

Senior Optical Communication Engineer, Amazon Leo for Government

Amazon

Northridge, CA

$112K - $153K/yr

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago


Amazon rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 7,093 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 39 rated national retailers


Job description

Amazon Leo is an initiative to launch a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites that will provide low-latency, high-speed broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities around the world.
The Amazon Leo for Government (ALG) Engineering team is a multi-disciplinary technology team involved in developing and delivering targeted and scalable solutions for custom satellite and ground applications. The ALG Engineering team works closely with the core LEO team, and addresses the needs of specific customers (such as government agencies). The Senior Optical Communication Engineer will play a pivotal role in the team delivering innovative and fast-paced analysis and design for both space and ground optical systems and sub-systems


As a Senior Optical Communications Engineer you will play a crucial role developing satellite communication systems, optical satellite links, digital signal processing and networking between both space-to-space and space-to-ground systems. Working with a dynamic team of cross discipline engineers, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining optical communication devices with bus agnostic interfaces, space-to-ground capabilities, tunable modems, long range backhaul performance, and seamless integration of unique waveforms. We provide engineering solutions for achieving free space optical communication systems.

We work hand in hand with hardware, software, product and operations teams to deliver solutions that seek to extract more capability from our baseline and onboard new technologies into our next generation systems.
The Senior Optical Communications Engineer will play a pivotal role on the Amazon Leo for Government Engineering team delivering innovative and fast-paced free space Optical Communication solutions.
Key job responsibilities
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define optical communication system requirements and architecture for our satellite constellation.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define optical communication system requirements and architecture for our satellite constellation.
Develop and optimize optical communication system hardware and software components, for real time communication ensuring efficient resource utilization and reliable performance.
Implement and test product designs that demonstrate functional and performance capabilities
Contribute to system integration efforts, working closely with hardware engineer to ensure seamless interaction between software and hardware components.
Participate in reviews, identify areas for improvement, and maintain high standards to ensure optical communication system quality and reliability.
Debug and troubleshoot software and hardware integration issues, employing tools and techniques to identify and resolve anomalies.
Collaborate on designing and executing test plans to validate the functionality, performance, and security of optical communication systems
Keep up-to-date with industry trends and emerging technologies, and apply relevant advancements to enhance the performance and capabilities of Amazon Leo's optical communication systems.
Security Clearance: Candidates may be required to obtain and maintain a US Government security clearance of TS/SCI, so you must be a U.S. citizen for consideration


This position requires that the candidate selected be a U.S. Citizen in order to comply with U.S. government-imposed requirements related to the nature of the work and/or where it will be performed.
This position requires that the candidate selected be a US Citizen and candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a US Government security clearance of TS/SCI.
A day in the life
As a Senior Optical Communication Engineer you will be responsible for leading the design, development and implementation of unique solutions to integrate and interoperate with Amazon Leo products and customer terminals

You will work in a collaborative environment with teams inside and outside of Amazon. You implement industry best practices while you guide the designs from requirements gathering through deployment. This role is hands on and will require an ability to build and test hardware and software optical communication systems.

You will need to be flexible and responsive to high priority issues


What Amazon employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Amazon logo

About Amazon

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Amazon.com, Inc., commonly known as Amazon, is an American multinational technology company. It was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 and initially started as an online marketplace for books. Since then, Amazon has expanded its operations and become one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. Amazon's primary business is its online retail platform, where customers can purchase a vast array of products, including electronics, clothing, books, home goods, and much more. The company offers a convenient and user-friendly shopping experience, with features such as fast shipping, customer reviews, and personalized recommendations. In addition to its e-commerce platform, Amazon has diversified its business into various other areas. One of its notable ventures is Amazon Web Services (AWS), a comprehensive cloud computing platform that provides services such as storage, compute power, and database management to individuals and businesses. AWS has become a leader in the cloud computing industry, powering many websites and applications worldwide. Amazon has also developed its own consumer electronics, including the popular Amazon Kindle e-reader, Fire tablets, Fire TV streaming devices, and the Alexa-powered Echo smart speakers. The Alexa voice assistant, integrated into these devices, allows users to interact with their devices using voice commands, perform tasks, and access information. Furthermore, Amazon has expanded into media and entertainment. It operates Prime Video, a streaming service that offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, and original content. Amazon Music provides a platform for streaming and purchasing digital music, while Audible offers audiobooks and other audio content. The company's commitment to customer satisfaction and convenience is demonstrated by its membership program, Amazon Prime. Prime members receive various benefits, including free two-day shipping, access to streaming services, exclusive deals, and more.

Industry

It services, book publishers, retail, real estate and computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Seattle, WA, US