ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Graduate Software Engineering Jobs in California

Socket.dev

Software Engineer (New Grad)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$125 - $135/hr

This is a strong opportunity for a recent graduate who enjoys solving challenging problems, learning across disciplines, and building reliable software in a fast‑moving engineering environment.

Primis

Software Engineer (San Francisco)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

You might be a fit if you have: * 5+ years of experience in software engineering * A background in ... Graduate (Advertisement Team) - 2025 Start (BS/MS) San Jose, CA $113,500.00-$250,000.00 2 weeks ago ...

Mechanize

Junior Software Engineer

San Leandro, CA

$144.23/hr

Each task is a self-contained software engineering challenge with a prompt, an environment, and an ... Have just graduated or are about to graduate * Can code in Python * Are confident working ...

Mechanize

Junior Software Engineer

Alameda, CA

$144.23/hr

Each task is a self-contained software engineering challenge with a prompt, an environment, and an ... Have just graduated or are about to graduate * Can code in Python * Are confident working ...

Mechanize

Junior Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Each task is a self-contained software engineering challenge with a prompt, an environment, and an ... Have just graduated or are about to graduate * Can code in Python * Are confident working ...

Mechanize

Junior Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Each task is a self-contained software engineering challenge with a prompt, an environment, and an ... Have just graduated or are about to graduate * Can code in Python * Are confident working ...

Mechanize

Junior Software Engineer

Daly City, CA

Each task is a self-contained software engineering challenge with a prompt, an environment, and an ... Have just graduated or are about to graduate * Can code in Python * Are confident working ...

Mechanize

Junior Software Engineer

Pacifica, CA

Each task is a self-contained software engineering challenge with a prompt, an environment, and an ... Have just graduated or are about to graduate * Can code in Python * Are confident working ...

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All JobsGraduate Software Engineering JobsGraduate Software Engineering Jobs in California

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 Aug 22, 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 Security - '26/'27 (Starlink)

SpaceX

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

$160K - $210K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 149 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 72 rated aerospace companies

Job description

NEW GRADUATE ENGINEER, SOFTWARE SECURITY - '26/'27 (STARLINK)

At SpaceX we're leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world's most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world's largest satellite constellation and serves millions of users worldwide. We design, build, and operate all parts of the system - thousands of satellites and all of the space-ground infrastructure necessary for a constellation of that size.
As we scale the constellation to hundreds of thousands of satellites, and become a foundation of global connectivity both on earth (and in space), we are looking for excellent engineers to help us build secure, defensible systems from the ground up.
As a Security Software Engineer you will influence the security of software across our space and terrestrial systems. Ideally, you have notable skills in one or more of the following:

  • Software engineering
  • Applied cryptography
  • Network security
  • Operating system security
  • Secure/Authenticated boot
  • Incident response and adversary detection
  • Vulnerability research

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Design and build security critical infrastructure for Starlink
  • Develop security features for Starlink systems, including our router, dish, gateways, and satellites
  • Design security into factory processes and provide network services in support of this
  • Maintain existing production systems and improve security posture via both direct implementation and recommendations to other teams
  • Build prototypes and help identify, design, and test security improvements
  • Further our mission of providing secure and reliable Internet to underserved communities 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science or another STEM discipline
  • Experience with one or more software development languages (i.e. Python, C++, Golang)
  • Experience designing and implementing security solutions for operating systems, distributed systems, or other enterprise/large-scale infrastructure
  • Graduating in the class of 2026 or 2027

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Designing secure systems 
  • Experience contributing security improvements to complex systems
  • Experience working with special purpose security hardware such as Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs) and Hardware Security Modules (HSMs)
  • Experienced in navigating large, complex, interactive systems
  • Flexibility, communicating clearly, and establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with other engineering teams
  • Ability to work both independently and in a team
  • Demonstrated ability to deal with ambiguity and to learn new technologies quickly
  • Advanced degree in a technical or engineering discipline 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Level 1: $140,000.00 - $175,000.00
Level 2: $160,000.00 - $210,000.00

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.

What SpaceX employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

SpaceX logo

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

View All SpaceX Jobs

Apply