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Lean Startup Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

We've built a 5-step process that allows for a two-way assessment across skills, behaviors, values, technical ability, ways of working, and adaptability in a lean startup environment. * Application ...

Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$185K/yr

... AI startup transforming claims processing for the insurance industry. In less than a year, the ... With a lean team of only 12 employees, every engineer plays a critical role in shaping the product ...

Senior Clinical Trial Manager

Walnut Creek, CA ยท On-site

$160K - $190K/yr

This is a senior individual contributor role within a lean internal team. You will work directly ... Lead study startup activities including CRO RFP coordination, proposal evaluation, and contract ...

Material Handler

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$29 - $34/hr

... startup in the aerospace/defense industry as a Material Handler. This position will play a vital role in keeping materials moving efficiently and on time across the lean manufacturing floor. You'll ...

Showing results 41-60

Lean Startup information

See California salary details

$54.8K

$100.1K

$138.7K

How much do lean startup jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for lean startup in California is $100,091.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,800.00 and $113,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lean Startup practitioner?

To thrive as a Lean Startup practitioner, you need a solid understanding of entrepreneurship, product development, and business model validation, often supported by experience or coursework in startup methodologies. Familiarity with tools like the Business Model Canvas, analytics platforms, and prototyping software is commonly required. Strong problem-solving, creativity, and resilience help individuals stand out when iterating ideas and responding to customer feedback. These skills and qualities are essential for efficiently testing concepts, minimizing risk, and driving sustainable growth in uncertain business environments.

What are the common challenges faced when working in a Lean Startup environment, and how can job seekers prepare for them?

Working in a Lean Startup environment often means adapting to rapid change, ambiguity, and frequent experimentation. Job seekers should be prepared for a fast-paced atmosphere where priorities can shift quickly based on customer feedback and data. Success in this setting requires strong problem-solving skills, openness to learning from both successes and failures, and effective communication with cross-functional teams. Embracing a growth mindset and being comfortable with iterative processes will help you thrive and contribute meaningfully to the startup's goals.

What is the difference between Lean Startup vs Product Manager?

AspectLean Startup
FocusRapid experimentation, validated learning, and iterative product development
CredentialsTypically no specific certifications; skills in entrepreneurship, business strategy, and agile methods
Work EnvironmentStartups, innovation labs, or entrepreneurial settings
Industry UsageStartups, tech companies, and innovation-driven organizations

While Lean Startup emphasizes quick experimentation and learning to develop viable products, Product Managers focus on guiding product strategy, roadmap, and user needs. Both roles require understanding of market validation, but Lean Startup is more about the process of testing ideas rapidly, whereas Product Managers oversee the overall product lifecycle.

Is a Lean Startup still relevant?

A Lean Startup is a methodology focused on rapid experimentation, validated learning, and iterative product development, which remains relevant in startup environments and innovation-driven companies. Its principles help reduce waste and improve product-market fit, making it a valuable approach for entrepreneurs and product managers today.

What is a Lean Startup?

A Lean Startup is a methodology for developing businesses and products that emphasizes rapid experimentation, validated learning, and iterative product releases to efficiently meet customer needs. It involves using tools like minimum viable products (MVPs) and metrics to reduce waste and improve decision-making during the startup process.

What are popular job titles related to Lean Startup jobs in California?

For Lean Startup jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Lean Startup jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Lean Startup jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Lean Startup job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 10% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,091 per year, or $48.1 per hour.

Software Engineer Internship

Clerkie

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site, Remote

$80/hr

Full-time, Internship

Re-posted 21 days ago


Job description

A note before you apply

We're hiring Software Engineering Interns! This is a full-time salaried 12 month internship where you'll work closely with our Engineering, Product, and Design teams to build real features, solve real problems, and contribute to products that make a difference.

This listing represents multiple openings and for standout interns our goal is to convert this into a full-time engineering role at the end of the program.

About Clerkie

Clerkie is a fintech startup on a mission to democratize financial wellness using the power of artificial intelligence. Launched in 2018, Clerkie began with an app, aiming to help the nearly 123 million underserved Americans in need of financial guidance. Since its inception, the company has expanded its services and now pairs consumer guidance with cutting-edge B2B software. By pairing the two through the Clerkie network, these tools have become the go-to resource for creditors looking to manage loan losses while simultaneously helping millions of borrowers get out of debt.

Clerkie is a remote-first company, with over 40 employees spanning 4 time zones across the United States. To date, the company has raised $41 million, including a $33 million Series A round in early 2023. Investors include leading financial and venture institutions, including Citi Ventures, Left Lane Capital, Wellington Ventures, Flourish Ventures, and Vestigo Ventures.

About the internship

As the newest addition to Team Clerkie, this Software Engineer Intern will work across our Engineering function to contribute to Clerkie Fiber, our B2B CRM, designed to transform the debt industry.

This full-time 12 month paid internship is designed for soon-to-be or recent graduates who are excited to kickstart their career in software engineering. You'll work across the full stack, collaborating with engineers on frontend, backend, and infrastructure projects. Whether you're optimizing APIs, refining user interfaces, or contributing to our architecture, your work will have a direct impact.

This isn't just another internship - it's an investment in your growth. The ideal Clerkie team member is curious, collaborative, and eager to grow in a fast-paced environment. Clerkie's culture values a customer-first mindset and a bias for action - we're looking for someone who's excited to dive in and learn.

While this opportunity is remote-first, Clerkie offers the option to visit or work from our SF HQ at any time.

Here's what you will do
  • Develop and maintain Clerkie Fiber, our flagship B2B CRM, collaborating closely with backend, frontend, product, and design teams
  • Work across the full tech stack, from frontend interfaces (Next.js, Tailwind CSS) to backend services (Node.js, AWS, MongoDB)
  • Build robust and scalable APIs to support our platform's growing user base
  • Optimize performance and ensure a seamless, user-friendly experience
  • Write clean, well-structured, and maintainable code with a strong emphasis on scalability and security
  • Contribute to system architecture decisions, helping shape the future of Clerkie's technology
Minimum qualifications
  • A soon-to-be or recent graduate (class of 2024 or 2025 preferred) with a degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field
  • Proficiency in JavaScript/TypeScript and experience with React.js, Next.js, or Node.js
  • Comfortable working with databases (SQL or NoSQL, e.g., PostgreSQL, MongoDB)
  • Ability to manage project priorities, meet deadlines, and deliver results independently
  • Excitement for being part of a small, fast-moving team where every day brings new challenges and opportunities to learn and grow
Preferred qualifications (ranked by priority and not required):
  • Personal or school projects involving full-stack development
  • Exposure to AWS, Docker, or CI/CD pipelines
  • Experience with testing frameworks (Jest, Mocha)
  • Interest in fintech or financial literacy
Other adds
  • Passion for our mission
  • Experience building and scaling products
  • Proactive team player who can work with others towards a common goal
  • Extreme focus on the user with a healthy obsession for solving their needs
  • Committed to being a part of something bigger than yourself
Our salary range
  • ???? Salary range: $80 - 100k
  • ???? Remote-first role (US only)
  • ???? Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • ???? 401(k) + retirement benefits
  • ???? Paid time off + annual company retreat
  • ???? Company laptop + home office stipend
  • ???? Collaborative, values-driven culture
Our Process

Our hiring process is intentionally designed for you to interview Clerkie as much as our team is interviewing you. We've built a 5-step process that allows for a two-way assessment across skills, behaviors, values, technical ability, ways of working, and adaptability in a lean startup environment.

  • Application & Coderbyte (async candidate time)
  • Intro Screen w/ People team (20-30 minutes via Google meet)
  • Take-Home Challenge & Live Review w/ Sr. Engineer (challenge is async candidate time, live review is 45 mins via Google meet)
  • Live Coding Challenge w/ another Sr. Engineer (90 minutes via Google meet)
  • Final Management Meeting w/ SLT (45 minutes via Google meet)
Before we extend any offers, all candidates must successfully complete a standard background check in addition to a reference check. These checks are conducted in tandem to ensure a safe, secure, and compliant environment for all Clerkie team members and stakeholders. We approach this stage with transparency and sensitivity, and candidates will be provided with clear information about the process.
AI & Interview Assessments

At Clerkie, we embrace AI and use it throughout our day-to-day work. We value people who thoughtfully leverage modern tools to learn, build, and solve problems more effectively.

Our interview process is designed to evaluate each candidate's own technical thinking, communication, and problem-solving approach. To help ensure every candidate is assessed fairly, consistently, and under the same conditions, we ask candidates not to use external problem-solving resources during live interviews or technical assessments unless we explicitly state otherwise. This includes AI assistants, interview assistants, search engines, and other third-party resources. You're welcome to reference any documentation or materials that we provide as part of the interview.

This expectation does not apply to approved interview accommodations or assistive technologies. If you require a reasonable accommodation at any stage of our hiring process, please let us know. We're committed to providing an accessible and equitable interview experience for all candidates.

If this interview expectation is not followed, we may conclude the assessment and discontinue the interview process.


Clerkie logo

About Clerkie

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Software development

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

San Francisco, CA, US

Year founded

2017