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Open Source Developer Jobs in San Jose, CA (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Open Source Software Engineer (Kafka)

San Jose, CA · On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

Our open source engineering team contributes to projects that matter to production operators at scale, and this role strengthens our ability to influence Apache Kafka upstream in areas that affect ...

Java Open Source Contributor

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$60 - $77.75/hr

Java Open Source Contributor Role Type: Contract Location: Remote Scope of Work: * Contribute production-quality code, reviews, and documentation to open-source repositories relevant to the customer ...

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Showing results 1-20

Open Source Developer information

See San Jose, CA salary details

$69.2K

$89.4K

$106.1K

How much do open source developer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for open source developer in San Jose, CA is $89,366.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,700.00 and $98,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an open source developer?

An Open Source Developer is a software professional who creates, maintains, or contributes to software projects whose source code is freely available to the public. These developers collaborate with others in online communities, often working on projects hosted on platforms like GitHub or GitLab. Their work involves writing code, fixing bugs, reviewing pull requests, and documenting software. Open Source Developers help improve software that anyone can use, modify, or distribute, fostering innovation and collective problem-solving.

What does an open source developer do?

As an open source developer, you work with open source code, tweaking, improving, and building upon it to create new software for an organization. Your duties vary depending on the position, but they can include using your knowledge of various open source coding systems and software to code new programs and applications, troubleshooting and debugging software, and tracking and reporting issues. Your responsibilities also include researching and learning about current and new standards for the coding languages with which you work. Most open source developers have skills and expertise in multiple programming languages, but many organizations are willing to train quick learners on each project.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an open source developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Open Source Developer, you need strong programming skills, familiarity with version control systems like Git, and experience contributing to or maintaining open source projects. Proficiency with platforms such as GitHub, bug tracking systems, and knowledge of relevant programming languages (e.g., Python, JavaScript) are typically required. Excellent communication, collaboration, and self-motivation are crucial soft skills, as much of the work involves distributed teams and community interaction. These skills ensure effective project contributions, sustained community engagement, and the successful growth of open source initiatives.

How does an open source developer typically collaborate with a global, distributed team?

Open Source Developers often work with contributors from around the world, which means collaboration takes place primarily through online platforms such as GitHub, mailing lists, and chat tools like Slack or Discord. Communication is usually asynchronous due to time zone differences, so clear documentation and issue tracking are essential. Developers regularly review and comment on each other's code, participate in discussions about project direction, and sometimes join virtual meetings or code sprints. This environment encourages learning from diverse perspectives and requires strong written communication and self-motivation.

What is the difference between Open Source Developer vs Software Engineer?

AspectOpen Source DeveloperSoftware Engineer
Required CredentialsTypically a bachelor's degree in CS or related field; strong coding skillsUsually a bachelor's or higher in CS or related field; programming proficiency
Work EnvironmentCollaborative open source communities, remote or distributed teamsCorporate or organizational settings, often in-office or remote
Employer & Industry UsageOpen source projects, tech companies, startupsTech firms, software companies, enterprises
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for coding skills and community involvementCompared for project management and product development roles

Open Source Developers focus on contributing to publicly available projects, often working in collaborative communities. Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software products within organizations. While both require programming skills and a background in computer science, Open Source Developers emphasize community collaboration and open contributions, whereas Software Engineers typically work within structured teams on proprietary or client projects.

What are popular job titles related to Open Source Developer jobs in San Jose, CA?

For Open Source Developer jobs in San Jose, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near San Jose, CA are hiring for Open Source Developer jobs?

Cities near San Jose, CA with the most Open Source Developer job openings:

Infographic showing various Open Source Developer job openings in San Jose, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,366 per year, or $43 per hour.

Open Source Engineer

Pleasanton, CA • On-site

Rootshell Enterprise Technologies, Inc.
11 - 50 employees

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Hello All,
Greetings from Rootshell Inc.
Rootshell Enterprise Technologies Inc. is a recognized provider of professional IT Consulting services in the US. We are actively seeking Open Source Engineer for one of our client, Please share your resume with current location & full contact info
Role:Open Source Engineer
Location: Pleasanton, CA - Hybrid
JD:
We're hiring a self-motivated Open Source Engineer to build, automate, and operate secure, scalable infrastructure for a modern medical research and laboratory environment. You'll focus on medical imaging, laboratory systems, data processing, and research workflows in a regulated, HIPAA-compliant setting. The right candidate brings deep Python and Linux automation skills and is comfortable working across Kubernetes, virtualized, and mixed-OS environments.
Key Responsibilities
  • Build and maintain production-grade automation in Python and shell, including workflow orchestration with Apache Airflow, secure data transfers (SFTP), and reliability improvements.
  • Design, deploy, and operate on-prem Kubernetes clusters (Rancher RKE2 preferred), manage Helm deployments, and handle secrets with HashiCorp Vault.
  • Administer Linux/UNIX systems (RHEL 9.x focus): OS patching, lifecycle management, security hardening, and Ansible automation.
  • Create repeatable VM provisioning pipelines and standardized system builds; support mixed Linux and Windows environments as required.
  • Develop and maintain medical imaging workflows (DICOM query/retrieve, image pulls, storage, automated de-identification) using tools such as Orthanc, DCMTK, or CTP.
  • Support laboratory and research platforms, including LIMS infrastructure, data ingestion workflows, and Windows batch/integration scripts when needed.
  • Install, test, upgrade, and maintain research and enterprise applications across test and production environments (examples: LIMS, JBOSS-based systems, Appian, data analysis tools).
  • Provision and optimize storage access (NFS, S3) and integrate with high-performance storage solutions (Weka, VAST, EMC).
  • Manage Jupyter, R, and RStudio environments, including package management and researcher support.
  • Implement and maintain GitLab-based CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure-as-code, and version-controlled operational runbooks.
  • Ensure systems meet HIPAA, CAP, and ISO compliance requirements - maintain documentation, change control, audit evidence, and traceability.
  • Provide senior-tier Linux/UNIX support to technical teams and researchers, mentor staff, and document operational best practices.
  • Operate independently across multiple concurrent efforts; adapt to evolving laboratory and research needs.

Required Qualifications
  • Advanced Python automation skills; strong Bash/shell scripting experience.
  • Hands-on Linux administration experience (RHEL preferred), including patching, security, and lifecycle management.
  • Proven experience managing on-prem Kubernetes platforms and Helm-based deployments.
  • Solid understanding of Apache Airflow, HashiCorp Vault, and workflow-driven automation.
  • Experience supporting DICOM-based medical or research imaging systems.
  • Working knowledge of NFS and S3 storage models and high-performance storage environments.
  • Demonstrated experience supporting regulated research or healthcare systems, with audit and compliance readiness.
  • Proficiency with GitLab repositories, CI/CD pipelines, and automation workflows.
  • Strong communication, documentation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Hands-on experience with LIMS platforms, laboratory instrument integrations, or imaging research workflows.
  • Experience supporting data science platforms or research computing environments.
  • Familiarity with Windows batch scripting for laboratory/data ingestion workflows.
  • Prior experience in healthcare, research, or regulated laboratory environments.

With regards
Naveen | Talent Acquisition
Rootshell Enterprise Technologies Inc.
Naveen@rootshellinc.com | www.rootshellinc.com