ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Junior System Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Prosum Inc.

Junior Software Engineer

Temecula, CA · On-site

$115K - $120K/yr

Junior Software Engineer Cryptography, Systems & Secure Infrastructure Role Type: Junior Software Engineer (Hands-On Growth Role) Core Technologies: C/C++, Python, Linux, Containers, Security ...

WeRide.ai

Systems Engineer

San Jose, CA

$130K - $182K/yr

Work closely with engineering, product and operations teams to ensure system performance goals are met * Mentor junior systems engineers, build a collaborative and innovative work environment ...

WeRide.ai

Systems Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$130K - $182K/yr

Work closely with engineering, product and operations teams to ensure system performance goals are met * Mentor junior systems engineers, build a collaborative and innovative work environment ...

WeRide.ai

Systems Engineer

San Jose, CA

$130K - $182K/yr

Work closely with engineering, product and operations teams to ensure system performance goals are met * Mentor junior systems engineers, build a collaborative and innovative work environment ...

Chipton Ross

Systems Engineer 6

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$133.89/hr

Job #218557 Chipton-Ross is seeking a Payload System Engineer (Level 6) for a contract opportunity ... Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and team members REQUIRED EDUCATION ...

Blueprint Hires

Junior Engineer

Irvine, CA

A multi-disciplinary architectural, engineering and construction firm is seeking a Junior Engineer ... systems, including the selection of materials and detailing * Conduct site visits during ...

alter Domus

Senior System Engineer

Carmel, CA · On-site

$115K - $158K/yr

Design, deploy, configure, and maintain enterprise storage systems including SAN, NAS, and object ... Mentor junior administrators and provide technical guidance to the broader IT team. Your profile:

alter Domus

Senior System Engineer

Carmel, CA · On-site

$115K - $158K/yr

Design, deploy, configure, and maintain enterprise storage systems including SAN, NAS, and object ... Mentor junior administrators and provide technical guidance to the broader IT team. Your profile:

Viasat, Inc.

Space Systems Engineer

Carlsbad, CA · On-site +1

$176K - $264K/yr

Drive system trade studies and integration strategies for new and custom capabilities. * Author ... Mentor junior systems engineering staff and contribute to the continuous improvement of internal SE ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsSystem Engineer JobsJunior System Engineer JobsJunior System Engineer Jobs in California

Junior System Engineer information

See California salary details

$23.7K

$84.3K

$145.6K

How much do junior system engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior system engineer in California is $84,291.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,700.00 and $86,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by junior system engineers during their first year on the job?

Junior System Engineers often encounter challenges such as adapting to complex IT infrastructures, learning to troubleshoot unfamiliar hardware and software issues, and balancing multiple support requests from different teams. It can take time to become proficient with proprietary systems and tools used by the organization. Collaboration with senior engineers and continuous learning through documentation and hands-on experience are key to overcoming these hurdles and building confidence in the role.

What does a junior system engineer do?

A Junior System Engineer assists in maintaining and supporting an organization’s IT infrastructure. Their responsibilities typically include installing and configuring hardware and software, monitoring system performance, troubleshooting issues, and providing technical support to users. They often work under the supervision of senior engineers to ensure systems run efficiently and securely. This entry-level role is ideal for individuals looking to build foundational skills in systems administration and engineering.

What is the difference between Junior System Engineer vs Network Administrator?

AspectJunior System EngineerNetwork Administrator
Required CertificationsCompTIA A+, Network+, Cisco CCNA (preferred)CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA, or equivalent
Work EnvironmentIT departments, tech companies, supporting system infrastructureNetwork operations centers, corporate IT teams, managing network hardware
Employer & Industry UsageTechnology, finance, healthcare, and other sectors with IT infrastructureOrganizations with complex network systems, ISPs, large enterprises
Common Search & Comparison IntentEntry-level, supporting system setup and maintenanceNetwork management, troubleshooting, and security

The Junior System Engineer and Network Administrator roles share overlapping skills in IT support and certifications but focus on different areas. The Junior System Engineer primarily supports overall system infrastructure, while the Network Administrator specializes in managing and securing network systems. Both roles are essential in maintaining organizational IT health and often work closely together in tech environments.

Is a junior system engineer a stressful job?

A junior system engineer role can involve stress due to troubleshooting technical issues, managing system uptime, and meeting project deadlines. However, the level of stress varies depending on the work environment, workload, and support from team members. Developing strong problem-solving skills and gaining relevant certifications can help manage job-related stress.

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

To excel as a Junior System Engineer, you need a foundational understanding of computer systems, networking, and operating systems, usually supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with system administration tools, virtualization platforms, and basic scripting languages, as well as certifications like CompTIA or Microsoft MCSA, is highly beneficial. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with teams and address technical challenges efficiently. These competencies ensure reliable system operation, quick troubleshooting, and seamless support for business technology needs.
What are the most commonly searched types of System Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of System Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Junior System Engineer jobs in California? For Junior System Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Junior System Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Junior System Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Junior System Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Junior System Engineer job openings:
Junior System Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Junior System Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,291 per year, or $40.5 per hour.

Junior Software Engineer

Prosum Inc.

Temecula, CA • On-site

$115K - $120K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

Job Description
Junior Software Engineer
Cryptography, Systems & Secure Infrastructure
Role Type: Junior Software Engineer (Hands-On Growth Role)
Core Technologies: C/C++, Python, Linux, Containers, Security
Experience Level: 2+ years of professional experience with strength in at least one core technical area
About the Opportunity
Our client is an innovative technology company developing advanced cybersecurity and secure communications solutions for high-assurance environments. Their engineering team builds software and infrastructure focused on secure systems, modern cryptography, cloud platforms, and next-generation security technologies. This is an opportunity to work alongside experienced engineers on products designed to address today's cybersecurity challenges while preparing for emerging threats.
Position Overview
We are seeking an early-career Software Engineer with strong programming fundamentals and an interest in developing secure, reliable software. This role is ideal for someone with approximately two or more years of professional experience and exposure to one or more of the following areas:
  • C/C++ systems development
  • Cryptography or cybersecurity
  • Containerized development environments
  • Python-based automation, testing, or developer tooling
Candidates are not expected to have expertise across all of these areas. We are looking for engineers who are curious, practical, eager to learn, and excited to grow within a collaborative engineering environment.
Key Responsibilities
  • Contribute to the development, testing, and maintenance of security-focused software products.
  • Design, write, debug, and enhance software using C/C++, Python, or other systems-level languages.
  • Develop automated tests, developer tools, and workflows that improve software quality and engineering efficiency.
  • Support containerized development environments using technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.
  • Investigate software defects, performance issues, and system behavior in Linux/POSIX environments.
  • Participate in code reviews and follow secure coding, memory safety, and concurrency best practices.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams throughout the software development lifecycle.
Required Qualifications
  • 2+ years of professional software engineering experience.
  • Strong programming skills in C, C++, Python, Rust, Go, or another systems/backend programming language.
  • Experience in at least one of the following:
    • C/C++ or systems-level software development
    • Cryptography, cybersecurity, or security-focused software
    • Docker, Kubernetes, or containerized development
    • Python-based testing, automation, or developer tooling
  • Familiarity with Linux or other POSIX-based operating systems.
  • Experience using Git and debugging software applications.
  • Interest in secure software development, cryptography, cloud infrastructure, or systems engineering.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Academic or professional experience in cryptography, cybersecurity, networking, or distributed systems.
  • Familiarity with encryption concepts, secure communications, TLS, IPsec, or key management.
  • Exposure to memory safety, concurrency, debugging tools, compiler technologies, or performance optimization.
  • Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, cloud platforms, vulnerability scanning, SBOMs, or container security.
  • Contributions to open-source software, security tools, systems software, or technical research projects.
Education
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline.
Compensation & Benefits
  • Competitive base salary in the range of $115,000-$120,000 USD, depending on experience and qualifications.
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • 401(k) with employer matching.
  • Competitive benefits package and opportunities for professional growth.

Please view our Privacy Policy.

Apply