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Graduate Software Engineering Jobs in California

Required : โ€ข Graduate of a bachelor's degree or graduate program by the start of employment โ€ข 3+ years of software programming or development experience โ€ข Software coding experience in one or ...

You'll own every aspect of Nooks' early talent strategy-from developing our university brand to hiring our annual class of exceptional new graduate software engineers. You'll create the programs ...

As a Software Engineering Intern, you'll work on meaningful projects while building technical expertise that accelerates your professional growth. * Design, develop, test, debug, and improve software ...

As a Software Engineering Intern, you'll work on meaningful projects while building technical expertise that accelerates your professional growth. * Design, develop, test, debug, and improve software ...

As a Software Engineering Intern, you'll work on meaningful projects while building technical expertise that accelerates your professional growth. * Design, develop, test, debug, and improve software ...

As a Software Engineering Intern, you'll work on meaningful projects while building technical expertise that accelerates your professional growth. * Design, develop, test, debug, and improve software ...

You'll own every aspect of Nooks' early talent strategy--from developing our university brand to hiring our annual class of exceptional new graduate software engineers. You'll create the programs ...

You'll own every aspect of Nooks' early talent strategy--from developing our university brand to hiring our annual class of exceptional new graduate software engineers. You'll create the programs ...

New Graduate Engineer, Software

Hawthorne, CA ยท On-site

$125K - $145K/yr

NEW GRADUATE ENGINEER, SOFTWARE Our SpaceX team is working on the toughest and most audacious ... Work with counterpart engineering teams to develop and maintain launch and vehicle software. * Get ...

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Graduate Software Engineering information

See California salary details

$62.7K

$145.6K

$202.8K

How much do graduate software engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate software engineering 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 a graduate software engineer?

A Graduate Software Engineer is an entry-level position for individuals who have recently completed a degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. They work as part of a development team to design, develop, test, and maintain software applications. Graduate Software Engineers typically receive training and mentorship while working on real-world projects, helping them gain practical experience and build their technical skills. Their responsibilities may include writing code, fixing bugs, collaborating with other team members, and learning industry best practices.

What are some common challenges graduate software engineers face during their first year, and how can they overcome them?

Graduate Software Engineers often encounter challenges such as adapting to new codebases, balancing learning with productivity, and effectively communicating within cross-functional teams. It's important to proactively seek mentorship, ask questions, and take advantage of onboarding resources. Participating in code reviews and attending regular team meetings can help build confidence and understanding, while setting small, achievable goals fosters both skill development and a sense of accomplishment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate software engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate Software Engineer, you need a solid understanding of programming fundamentals, software development methodologies, and a relevant degree in Computer Science or a related field. Familiarity with coding languages such as Java, Python, or C++, and experience with version control systems like Git, are typically expected. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, teamwork, and good communication skills help graduates stand out in collaborative technical environments. These skills and qualities are vital for producing high-quality software, adapting to evolving technologies, and contributing effectively to development teams.

What are popular job titles related to Graduate Software Engineering jobs in California?

For Graduate Software Engineering jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in California are hiring for Graduate Software Engineering jobs?

Cities in California with the most Graduate Software Engineering job openings:

Infographic showing various Graduate Software Engineering job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,592 per year, or $70 per hour.

Software Engineer - New College Graduate

Marina Del Rey, CA โ€ข On-site

$125K - $145K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

At Sift, we're redefining how modern machines are built, tested, and operated. Our platform gives engineers real-time observability into high-frequency telemetry-eliminating bottlenecks and enabling faster, more reliable development.
Sift was born from our work at SpaceX on Dragon, Falcon, Starlink, and Starship-where scaling telemetry, debugging flight systems, and ensuring mission reliability demanded new infrastructure. Founded by a team from SpaceX, Google, and Palantir, Sift is built for mission-critical systems where precision and scalability are non-negotiable.
As a New College Graduate Software Engineer, you'll join a small, fast-moving team building foundational systems for the future of engineering. You'll have the opportunity to learn from experienced engineers, contribute to production code, and help design scalable solutions from the ground up.
In This Role, You'll
  • Contribute to the design and development of high-performance, scalable systems for data processing and visualization
  • Build features for engineers to explore and act on millions of sensor data points
  • Work closely with senior engineers in code reviews, design discussions, and product planning
  • Learn best practices in distributed systems, DevOps, and frontend/backend development
  • Help shape engineering culture, standards, and processes at an early-stage startup

The Skillset You'll Bring
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Math, Physics, or another STEM discipline
  • Strong coursework or project experience in data structures, algorithms, or data analysis
  • Eagerness to learn large-scale distributed systems and real-time data platforms
  • Collaborative mindset and strong communication skills
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment

Bonus Points
  • Experience with streaming or data tools (Kafka, Flink, Spark, Beam)
  • Familiarity with databases (PostgreSQL, Timescale, Druid, or similar)
  • Exposure to frontend frameworks (React, TypeScript)
  • Experience with DevOps practices (Git, CI/CD, testing, monitoring)

Engineering At Sift:
You'll have the opportunity to help evolve and scale our platform because we're still in the early stages of building the product. Relevant technologies include:
  • Web frontend & backend: ECharts, Go, gRPC, PostgreSQL, Protobuf, Radix, React, Redux, and TypeScript
  • Data: Arrow, DataFusion, Flink, Parquet, and Rust
  • Infrastructure: Argo CD, AWS, Docker, GitHub Actions, Grafana, Kubernetes, Kustomize, Linux, Prometheus, and Terragrunt

Location:
Sift's headquarters is in Marina Del Rey, CA (Next to LAX). We collaborate in person twice a week-on Mondays and Thursdays-and come together for a full week every two months. We are open to relocating candidates to LA.
Salary range: $100,000 - $140,000 per year. Plus equity and benefits.
Eligibility:
U.S. Person Required: Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual such as an asylee or refugee in compliance with ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) / EAR (Export Administration Regulations) regulations.