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Mid Level Backend Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Boss Tech

Backend Developer

San Jose, CA · On-site +1

... backend code * Design flexible and scalable restful API's that enable dynamically linking with ... Accurately estimate stories and tasks considering their level-of-effort, complexity, and ...

Theemesoft.inc

Java Backend Developer

San Jose, CA

$59.25 - $76.75/hr

... highest-level of quality to match our standards in all of our fields. Greetings from Govind ... Position: Java backend Developer Location: San Jose, CA Duration: 6+ Months Description: Skills

Theemesoft.inc

Java Backend Developer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$59.25 - $76.75/hr

... highest-level of quality to match our standards in all of our fields. Greetings from Govind ... Position: Java backend Developer Location: San Jose, CA Duration: 6+ Months Description: Skills

Clera

Product Engineer (Mid-Level)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $300K/yr

... mid-level Product Engineer to join a small, high-ownership team in San Francisco. You'll work ... backend, and DevOps. * Ability to design and implement end-to-end features including API design ...

Clera

Product Engineer (Mid-Level)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $300K/yr

... mid-level Product Engineer to join a small, high-ownership team in San Francisco. You'll work ... backend, and DevOps. * Ability to design and implement end-to-end features including API design ...

Pacificlife

Sr Java Back End Developer

Newport Beach, CA

$129K - $167K/yr

As a Senior Java Backend Developer at Pacific Life, you will assist in the development of backend ... level constructs. The experience you bring: * Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science ...

Clera

AI Engineer (Mid-Level)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

About the Role This is a mid-level AI Engineer role on the core product team, focused on building ... and backend code, and operating production systems with CI/CD, monitoring, and testing.

Clera

AI Engineer (Mid-Level)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

About the Role This is a mid-level AI Engineer role on the core product team, focused on building ... and backend code, and operating production systems with CI/CD, monitoring, and testing.

VSolvit

SENIOR ORACLE BACKEND DEVELOPER

Norco, CA · On-site

$115K - $145K/yr

As a Senior Oracle Backend Developer, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams to design ... VSolvit is an award winning WOSB, CA CDB, MBE, WBE, and CMMI Level 3 certified company. We offer a ...

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All JobsMid Level Backend Developer JobsMid Level Backend Developer Jobs in California

Mid Level Backend Developer information

See California salary details

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$56

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How much do mid level backend developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for mid level backend developer in California is $56.98, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46.73 and $67.36 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges a Mid Level Backend Developer might face when working on large-scale applications?

As a Mid Level Backend Developer, you may frequently encounter challenges related to maintaining code quality and ensuring scalability as applications grow. Managing database performance, optimizing API responses, and integrating with legacy systems are common tasks that require both technical skill and problem-solving ability. Collaboration with frontend developers, DevOps engineers, and QA testers is essential to ensure smooth deployments and consistent user experiences. Staying up-to-date with new frameworks and technologies, while balancing project deadlines, is also a key part of the role.

What are Mid Level Backend Developers?

Mid Level Backend Developers are software engineers who specialize in developing and maintaining the server-side logic, databases, and APIs that power web and mobile applications. They usually have a few years of professional experience and are proficient in programming languages like Java, Python, Node.js, or Ruby. These developers are responsible for ensuring that data flows efficiently between the server and users, optimizing performance, and collaborating with front-end developers and other team members. Their role often includes troubleshooting server issues, writing automated tests, and implementing security best practices.

What is the difference between Mid Level Backend Developer vs Junior Backend Developer?

AspectMid Level Backend DeveloperJunior Backend Developer
Experience2-4 years0-2 years
SkillsProficient in backend frameworks, databases, API developmentBasic understanding of backend concepts, learning frameworks
ResponsibilitiesDeveloping features, troubleshooting, code reviewsAssisting in tasks, learning codebase, bug fixing
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with teams, independent problem-solving

The main difference between a Mid Level Backend Developer and a Junior Backend Developer lies in experience and skill level. Mid level developers have more hands-on experience, handle complex tasks independently, and contribute significantly to project development. Junior developers are still learning, focusing on foundational tasks and gaining industry knowledge. This distinction helps employers identify the right candidate for different stages of project involvement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Mid Level Backend Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Mid Level Backend Developer, you need strong programming skills in languages like Java, Python, or Node.js, a solid understanding of server-side logic, and experience with relational and non-relational databases. Familiarity with frameworks (such as Spring or Express), RESTful API development, version control systems (like Git), and containerization tools (like Docker) is typically required. Effective problem-solving, collaboration, and clear communication are standout soft skills for this role. These abilities are crucial for building reliable, scalable backend systems and working efficiently within development teams.
What are the most commonly searched types of Backend Developer jobs in California? The most popular types of Backend Developer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Mid Level Backend Developer jobs? Cities in California with the most Mid Level Backend Developer job openings:
Mid Level Backend Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Mid Level Backend Developer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 56% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 4% Temporary, 25% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 76% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 19% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,514 per year, or $57 per hour.
Software Engineering, Backend - Bay Area, CA Based Role

Software Engineering, Backend - Bay Area, CA Based Role

Side

San Francisco, CA

$164K - $210K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

At Side, we believe everyone should own their path. 

Side partners with top-producing real estate professionals to help them own and operate their own boutique real estate companies, without the legal, regulatory, or operational complexity of running a traditional brokerage. As a pioneer in the Brokerage-as-a-Service model, Side provides a proprietary platform that increases efficiency, strengthens client relationships, and enables entrepreneurs to focus on what they do best - selling real estate and growing their businesses.

Headquartered in San Francisco and backed by more than $300 million from top-tier venture capital firms, Side is recognized as one of the most innovative and fastest-growing companies in real estate. At Side, you'll work alongside experienced industry leaders and world-class engineers to help shape the future of real estate and empower exceptional professionals to thrive as business owners.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Mid-Level Backend Software Engineer on the Brokerage Engineering team, you will build and maintain backend services that support critical payment and commission workflows. You will partner closely with Product, Customer Success, Brokerage Operations, Finance, and other engineering teams to deliver reliable, scalable solutions.

This role is ideal for an engineer who can independently deliver well-scoped features, contribute to system design discussions, write high-quality code and tests, and collaborate effectively across functions. You should be comfortable using modern engineering tools, including AI-assisted development tools, to improve productivity while maintaining strong judgment, code quality, and security standards.

This is a hybrid role based in San Francisco, CA. Candidates should be located in the San Francisco Bay Area and able to work from the office at least two days per week.
What You'll Be Doing

  • Build, maintain, and improve backend services and APIs that support payments and commission disbursement workflows.

  • Collaborate with Product and cross-functional partners to turn business requirements into technical solutions.

  • Deliver medium-sized features independently, with support from senior engineers on larger or more complex initiatives.

  • Participate in system design discussions and contribute practical ideas around scalability, performance, reliability, and maintainability.

  • Write clean, well-documented, and well-tested code.

  • Create and maintain automated tests across unit, integration, and end-to-end layers.

  • Review code thoughtfully and incorporate feedback from others.

  • Troubleshoot production issues, debug complex backend workflows, and support operational excellence.

  • Identify technical debt and suggest pragmatic improvements.

  • Follow engineering best practices for security, observability, data integrity, and application performance.

  • Leverage AI-assisted engineering tools to improve productivity across prototyping, debugging, task management, documentation, and code review, while applying strong judgment to validate correctness, security, and maintainability.

What would make you a strong fit for the role?

  • 3-5 years of experience building backend services and APIs in production environments.

  • Strong proficiency in JavaScript; TypeScript experience is a plus.

  • Solid experience with Node.js and backend web frameworks such as Fastify or Express.

  • Good experience in database schema design, data modeling, and SQL to build scalable and efficient data storage solutions. (PostgreSQL and TypeORM experience is a plus)

  • Strong experience with testing (unit, integration, and e2e)

  • Experience working with Git and GitHub in a collaborative development workflow.

  • Ability to break down technical problems and deliver maintainable solutions with guidance when needed.

  • Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively across engineering and non-engineering teams.

  • Good judgment around reliability, security, and performance in production systems.

  • Comfortable learning and adapting to new tools and workflows, including AI-assisted development tools.

Nice to Have

  • Experience with database migrations and schema evolution.

  • Experience with observability and production monitoring tools.

  • Familiarity with cloud platforms and modern CI/CD practices.

  • Experience contributing to open-source projects.

  • Familiarity with building internal tools or automations using LLMs, agents, or workflow-based AI systems.

$164,000 - $210,000 a year

Competitive salary

Stock options

Best-in-class benefits, including 100% healthcare coverage (medical, vision and dental)

Flexible PTO

Learning & Development credit

Pet friendly environment

Side is dedicated to working with the highest skilled people from the most inclusive talent pool feasible. We maintain that diversity in all aspects leads to positive change, solutions and innovation for our customers and career fulfillment for our employees. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply!

Side uses the E-Verify employment verification program.

Our stewardship of the data of many of our customers means that a background and DRE license check is required to join Side. We will, nonetheless, consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accord with applicable law, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
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