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Part Time Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Explainable AI Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site +1

$114K - $157K/yr

Collaborate with the cloud software team and occasionally with customers * Document Explainable AI ... You will have an opportunity to start as a contractor (preferred; full-time or part-time, at least ...

Data Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$61K - $141K/yr

Experience writing software in programming languages, including Python * Experience with data ... Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible ...

Application Engineer Intern (Temporary, Part - Time) Location: Irvine, CA Compensation: $20.00 ... Utilizing Advantech system product and software SDK for function test and internal project POC.

Software Architect

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$86K - $198K/yr

You'll collaborate with software developers, cyber engineers, SATCOM operators, systems engineers ... Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible ...

Systems Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$130K - $156K/yr

Job Location San Diego, CA (Onsite with possible occasional/part-time telecommuting). Minimal ... The selected candidate will perform a wide variety of tasks ranging from System and Software ...

Test Engineer

Oxnard, CA · On-site

$86K - $198K/yr

When a user tries new software, they expect it to be intuitive and run smoothly. Functionality ... Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible ...

Experience in software engineering, automation, AI development, or a related field * Experience ... Work on cutting-edge AI systems with real operational impact * Part-time or full-time opportunities ...

Experience in software engineering, automation, AI development, or a related field * Experience ... Work on cutting-edge AI systems with real operational impact * Part-time or full-time opportunities ...

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Showing results 1-20

Part Time Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$62.7K

$145.6K

$202.8K

How much do part time software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for part time software engineer 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 Part Time Software Engineer?

A Part Time Software Engineer is a professional who develops, tests, and maintains software applications but works fewer hours than a standard full-time employee, typically less than 40 hours per week. These engineers may work on specific projects, support development teams, or contribute to ongoing maintenance and updates. Part time roles are often flexible and can be ideal for students, parents, or those seeking work-life balance. Their responsibilities are similar to full-time engineers, but they may have a narrower scope or fewer simultaneous projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Part Time Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Part Time Software Engineer, you need a solid understanding of programming languages (such as Python, Java, or JavaScript), software development methodologies, and typically a degree in computer science or related experience. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, cloud platforms, and development frameworks is often required, as well as experience with code collaboration tools. Strong problem-solving skills, time management, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for balancing workloads and collaborating with teams on a flexible schedule. These competencies ensure that part-time engineers can deliver high-quality code, integrate seamlessly with ongoing projects, and contribute meaningfully within limited hours.

How do part-time software engineers typically balance project deadlines with reduced working hours?

Part-time software engineers often work closely with their teams to set realistic expectations and prioritize tasks that align with their available hours. Effective communication and time management are essential, as engineers may need to focus on well-defined deliverables and leverage tools for asynchronous collaboration. Many organizations support part-time schedules with flexible workflows and regular check-ins to ensure everyone stays aligned, making it possible to contribute meaningfully without being overwhelmed by deadlines.

What is the difference between Part Time Software Engineer vs Full Time Software Engineer?

AspectPart Time Software EngineerFull Time Software Engineer
Work HoursLess than 30 hours/week40 hours/week or more
CredentialsTypically same as full-time, including relevant degrees and experienceSame as part-time, often with more extensive experience
Work EnvironmentFlexible, often remote or freelanceOffice or remote, full-time employment
Employer UsageUsed by startups, freelancers, or part-time projectsUsed by companies for full-time roles and long-term projects

The main difference between a Part Time Software Engineer and a Full Time Software Engineer lies in work hours and employment commitment. Part time roles offer flexibility and fewer hours, suitable for freelancers or those balancing other commitments. Full time roles involve standard work hours and often include benefits and long-term employment stability.

What Are Part-Time Jobs for Software Engineers?

A part-time software engineer tests, plans, and writes code for software, applications, and computer systems. As a part-time employee, you work fewer than 35 hours per week, and your duties may vary according to the type of projects on which you work. You may specialize in working with a specific computer language or developing and testing software and development methodologies for a particular system. Your responsibilities can also include determining how to deploy and configure existing software and application tools to meet the needs of a company or organization.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Software Engineer jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Part Time Software Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Part Time Software Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Part Time Software Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Part Time Software Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Part Time Software Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 63% Full Time, and 37% Part Time. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,592 per year, or $70 per hour.
Explainable AI Engineer

Explainable AI Engineer

Brain Gain Recruiting

Palo Alto, CA • On-site, Remote

$114K - $157K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 14 hours ago


Job description

Company Description

We’re an Industrial AI start-up founded by a Stanford professor and led by recognized leaders in Data Intelligence for Aerospace & Defense supply chain operations. Our Enterprise SaaS AI Application improves sustainment of the U.S. Air Force’s 5,000-aircraft fleet ($100B yearly budget). Having delivered $200M+ in cost avoidances, we are growing 4x in repeat contracts.

We are building hallucination-free Agentic AI for mission critical decision support where GenAI relies on proprietary Explainable AI engines for SME-explainable insights from historical data.

Job Description

We’re hiring an Explainable AI Engineer to build, integrate, and deploy our AI Engines and Agentic AI workflows. You’ll have an opportunity to learn from Stanford and Georgia Tech professors and work across algorithms and data pipelines to evolve our Explainable AI including

  • Development of deep math features for the models, ML, and inferences
  • Automation of data wrangling and cleansing towards scalability
  • Aerospace grade V&V for mission critical functions using simulations
  • Explainable AI engine interfaces to data, human users, and Agentic AI

Main Responsibilities:

  • Understand, develop, & support deep math analytics in Explainable AI Engines
  • Build, evolve, verify, and validate data processing pipeline segments
  • Support scalable deployment of the AI
  • Integrate Explainable AI with LLM tools for Agentic AI experience
  • Collaborate with the cloud software team and occasionally with customers
  • Document Explainable AI for customer users and internal software developers
Qualifications

Must-haves

  • Experience with productized analytical applications
  • Experience building mission-critical applications as a part of a team
  • Hands-on skills in at least some of mathematical methods in:
    • Statistics
    • Bayesian estimation
    • Mathematical optimization
    • Decision and Control
  • Experience with MATLAB
  • Experience in Java and GitHub (Actions).
  • Solid experience writing technical documentation
  • Strong collaboration and communication skills.
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or a related field
  • U.S. Citizenship.

Pluses

  • Model-based development / simulation-based verification
  • Operations Research
  • Supply chain and/ or MRO in the aerospace industry
  • Building SaaS type applications
  • Shell scripting, Golang.
  • Experience with GenAI and LLM augmentation (RAG)
  • An advanced degree

Additional Information
  • US Citizenship Required: This position requires the ability to work with Controlled Unclassified Information for the Department of Defense.
  • A background check and a drug check may be required.
  • Location: This is a remote position. USA, Nationwide. Proximity to either our Palo Alto, CA or Atlanta, GA office may be a plus.
  • You will have an opportunity to start as a contractor (preferred; full-time or part-time, at least 10 hours/ week), or a full-time employee.