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Graduate Development Program Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Graduate Assistant

Claremont, CA ยท On-site

$22/hr

The position will allow for the enhancement of individual advising, presentation, and program development/management skills while at the same time, the Graduate Assistant will learn about career ...

Graduate Assistant

Claremont, CA ยท On-site

$22/hr

The position will allow for the enhancement of individual advising, presentation, and program development/management skills while at the same time, the Graduate Assistant will learn about career ...

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Showing results 1-20

Graduate Development Program information

See California salary details

$31.6K

$118.5K

$197.4K

How much do graduate development program jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate development program in California is $118,486.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,900.00 and $141,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Graduate Development Program job?

A Graduate Development Program (GDP) is an entry-level job designed for recent graduates to gain structured training and hands-on experience in a specific industry or company. These programs typically last from one to three years and include rotations across different departments, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. The goal is to equip graduates with the skills, knowledge, and experience needed for long-term career growth within the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Graduate Development Program position, and why are they important?

To thrive in a Graduate Development Program, candidates typically need a relevant bachelor's degree, a strong academic record, and enthusiasm for learning in a professional environment. Familiarity with industry-specific software, data analysis tools, or project management systems can be beneficial depending on the sector. Excellent communication, adaptability, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities help individuals stand out in this rotational, mentorship-driven setting. These skills and qualifications are vital for successfully integrating into diverse teams, learning quickly, and maximizing the opportunities these programs offer for early-career development.

What kinds of career advancement opportunities can I expect after completing a Graduate Development Program?

Graduate Development Programs are designed to fast-track participants into roles of greater responsibility by providing exposure to multiple business areas and structured mentorship. Upon completion, graduates may transition directly into specialized positions within the organization, often with clearer pathways to leadership or management roles. Many programs also offer ongoing professional development, networking opportunities, and support from senior leaders to help alumni continue growing their careers. The skills and insights gained throughout the program make graduates highly competitive for a wide range of future opportunities within the company or industry.
What job categories do people searching Graduate Development Program jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Graduate Development Program jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Graduate Development Program jobs? Cities in California with the most Graduate Development Program job openings:
Infographic showing various Graduate Development Program job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% Internship, 75% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $118,486 per year, or $57 per hour.
Software Engineer - Government Services and Solutions, Early Career

Software Engineer - Government Services and Solutions, Early Career

ViaSat

Carlsbad, CA โ€ข On-site

$118K - $177K/yr

Other

This job post hasย expired today.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Viasat rating

3.4

Company rating: 3.4 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

76th of 76 rated telecommunications companies


Job description

About us
One team. Global challenges. Infinite opportunities. At Viasat, we're on a mission to deliver connections with the capacity to change the world. For more than 35 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the globe communicate. We're looking for people who think big, act fearlessly, and create an inclusive environment that drives positive impact to join our team.
What you'll do
The Government Services and Solutions team is a Viasat business focused on delivering high quality End to End communications solutions to Government customers who operate across all domains, including airborne, land, and maritime operations. In many cases these customers require assured communications which include resilient features, integrated security, and the ability to dynamically switch between many communications options. The engineering required to meet these requirements must be rigorous, thoughtful, user focused, and high quality.
You will join a software development team that designs, re-factors, and maintains code for existing and upcoming features across one or more product lines while meeting a stringent set of standards for functionality, security, performance through design, development, and testing. As updated standards are released they are deployed across a variety of products and must take into account a variety of competing constraints.
Members will be expected to work as part of a team that works with and helps clarify requirements while continuously supporting development, integration, automation, and test of the final product through certification.
The day-to-day
We are thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for an Software Engineer to join our dynamic team in Carlsbad, CA, to start as soon as possible!
As an Software Engineer, you'll have the opportunity to learn about and gain experience in:
  • Software & Software Systems engineering
  • Be a part of an agile multidisciplinary development team
  • Embedded systems software engineering
  • Embedded or applications developer
  • Front end user interface development engineering, including focus on user experience
  • System infrastructure development; scripting, automation, data visualization & dashboarding
Additional Information:
  • This position is site-based. Site-based employees work 3+ days (60%+) per week from a Viasat office or work location within a standard five-day work week. While this means employees are mostly and consistently onsite, Viasat embraces a flexible work environment. Relocation assistance is available pending eligibility.
  • As an Early Career hire, you will participate in our Graduate Development Program during your first 12+ months at Viasat. This program is designed to support your transition from university to the workplace through dedicated mentorship, building relationships with your cohort of new grad hires, technical upskilling, soft skills development and more to ensure you're set up for success as you begin your professional journey with Viasat.

What you'll need
Requirements:
  • Education: Completion of Bachelor's degree or higher in computer science, engineering, or related field.
  • Experience: This role is intended for someone with 0-3 years of full-time, relevant industry experience.
  • Citizenship: This position requires U.S. citizenship.
  • Additional:
    • Previous experience with Object Oriented Programming
    • Ability to pick up new software, frameworks and APIs
    • Strong communication and teamwork skills
    • Excellent software design, problem solving, and debugging skills
    • Experience with or desire to learn Linux
What will help you on the job
  • Previous experience using C or C++
  • Experience with Java or Python
  • Previous internship experience
  • Courses in software architecture
  • Courses with practical software design usage
  • Experience with developing software monitoring and control software
  • Familiarity with configuration management tools (Perforce), development tools (Eclipse, Visual Studio, etc.), and agile development methodologies
  • Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines
  • Knowledge of TCP/IP network fundamentals
  • Desire to work on network-based product

Salary range
$95,000.00 - $150,000.00 / annually.For specific work locations within San Jose, the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, the base pay range for this role is $118,000.00- $177,000.00/ annually
At Viasat, we consider many factors when it comes to compensation, including the scope of the position as well as your background and experience. Base pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Additional cash or stock incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Learn more about Viasat's comprehensive benefit offerings that are focused on your holistic health and wellness at careers.viasat.com/LifeAtViasat/Benefits.
EEO Statement
Viasat is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, genetics, age, or veteran status or any other applicable legally protected status or characteristic. If you would like to request an accommodation on the basis of disability for completing this on-line application, please click here.

ViaSat logo

About ViaSat

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Viasat, we're on a mission to deliver connections with the capacity to change the world. For more than 35 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the globe communicate.

Industry

Telecommunications

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Carlsbad, CA, US

Year founded

1986