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Graduate Software Engineering Jobs in California

SpaceX

New Graduate Engineer, Software

Hawthorne, CA · 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 ...

SpaceX

New Graduate Engineer, Software

Hawthorne, CA · 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 ...

SpaceX

New Graduate Engineer, Software

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

Required : • Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering or other engineering discipline. • Graduating with a bachelor's degree ...

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Graduate Software Engineering information

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$62.7K

$145.6K

$202.8K

How much do graduate software engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 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 job categories do people searching Graduate Software Engineering jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Graduate Software Engineering jobs in California are:

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

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

Graduate Software Engineering jobs near you
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.

New Graduate Engineer, Software

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

SpaceX
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about SpaceXexternal

$125K - $145K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 15 days ago

SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 152 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
NEW GRADUATE ENGINEER, SOFTWARE
Our SpaceX team is working on the toughest and most audacious projects on our planet: making humanity multiplanetary. As a software engineer on the SpaceX team, you will demonstrate extreme ownership through detailed and thorough design, testing, and deployment - ultimately seeing your software through all aspects of its life cycle. You will work with many cross-disciplinary teams and will need to think at a system level to ensure that your code is viable. Our development timelines are quick and you will need to rigorously explore solutions for previously unsolved or unknown problems. Every day, we push the limits of what is possible through innovation, determination, and teamwork to drive the mission to success.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Expect a dynamic role doing what you're best at. Our team is building high-performance flight hardware. Whatever your skill set, you'll be aligned to the part of the program you're most effectively able to contribute to.
  • Develop highly reliable autonomous software systems and the simulations required to validate them.
  • Own all aspects of software development, including design, testing, and integration to the mission.
  • Work with counterpart engineering teams to develop and maintain launch and vehicle software.
  • Get a front row seat to witness an impossible idea manifest in real life. The next few years will be incredibly dynamic as we transition from the challenge of building hardware to actually flying reusable rockets to orbit and deploying complex satellites to orbit.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering or other engineering discipline.
  • Graduating with a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or PhD in 2026 or 2027.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Proven skills and knowledge of C++, Rust, or other systems programming language.
  • Experience building or working with real-time embedded systems or distributed computing systems.
  • Strong focus and interest in designing, architecting, and implementing excellent, bug-free software.
  • Strong critical thinking and first-principles problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Able to work effectively in a dynamic environment while assuming high levels of responsibility and demonstrating accountability for software outcomes.
  • Experience working at a nimble engineering organization or in a highly technical position that required a scrappy, entrepreneurial manner to accomplish tasks with tight time or budget constraints.
  • Excelled in ultra-competitive environments. You've nailed a podium finish in engineering, math, or science competitions, achieved scores in the top percentile of scholastic or standardized tests, or demonstrated other incredible feats of intellectual achievement.
  • Succeeded in multiple endeavors at once. Maybe you worked through college, were a student athlete, or demonstrated strong work or academic performance in multiple fields.
  • Demonstrated rapid growth. You've held successive positions of increasing responsibility within an organization, were able to get yourself up to speed at a heroic pace, and accomplished something meaningfully difficult early in your career.
  • Success in academics at a rigorous and highly regarded university: minimum GPA 3.5/4.0 or higher, standardized test scores minimum 95th percentile, merit-based scholarship recipient.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
  • An active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing.

COMPETITION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Software Engineering/Level I: $125,000.00 - $145,000.00/per year
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
    Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to

What SpaceX employees say

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About SpaceX

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing, data services, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and satellite telecommunications

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hawthorne, CA, US

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