ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Part Time Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.

Systems Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$86K - $198K/yr

This position bridges the gap between fleet operators, acquisition stakeholders, and software ... Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible ...

M|R Walls

AI Systems Engineer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

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 ...

M|R Walls

AI Systems Engineer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

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 ...

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.

Test Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$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 ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsSoftware Engineer JobsPart Time Software Engineer JobsPart Time Software Engineer Jobs in California

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 23, 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.

More about Part Time Software Engineer jobs
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 are popular job titles related to Part Time Software Engineer jobs in California? For Part Time Software Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles 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:
Part Time Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Part Time Software Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,592 per year, or $70 per hour.
Full-Stack Engineer - Generalist (Contract, Palo Alto)

Full-Stack Engineer - Generalist (Contract, Palo Alto)

Moon Creative Lab

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

$110 - $160/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

We are seeking a curiosity-driven Full-Stack Engineer to join our team. You'll own the development and testing of our software stack, from our web applications to our data-capture infrastructure, collaborating with our cross-disciplinary design and technical team to define feature priorities, design solutions that scale, and ship fast. What we need is execution with judgment: someone who can take a problem - not a pre-defined ticket - and ship it end-to-end. We're not looking for someone who executes a spec and moves on. We're looking for someone who is genuinely curious about how the things they build get used, and who improves their work in response to what they learn.
This is an in-office role that starts part-time (24-28 hrs/week) at an hourly rate of $110-$160, with the expectation of growing into a full-time position as we scale.
What You'll Do at Moon
  • Data Operations: Expanding the telemetry and data ingestion pipelines that bring raw data into our platform from our manufacturing processes for analysis.
  • Cross-system Reliability: Increasing the robustness and coverage of the end-to-end tests, CI, and reliability checks that cover a stack that spans many hardware modalities.
  • Core Feature Buildout: Building the frontend and backend interfaces that allow our internal and external users to interact with the system.
  • Core Infrastructure: Working on the data models and interfaces that drive our systems from the web to the machine tool
The Must-Haves
  • Full-Stack Proficiency: You have built and scaled cloud-native applications with production experience of modern frontend (e.g., React, TypeScript) and robust backend (e.g., Node.js, Python) stacks. Comfort with containerization and CI/CD pipelines.
  • Design and Product Intuition: You're not interested in just closing tickets - you have opinions about how the product should work, spanning both software architecture and customer-facing experience.
  • Systems Fluency: You thrive in growth environments where shipping is about balancing fast iteration with high-quality engineering across opinionated infrastructure layers.
  • Product Curiosity: You're interested in how people use the things you build, and you're committed to improving and rethinking your work in response to user feedback.
The Nice-to-Haves
  • Experience building systems from the ground up, where the first version didn't exist before you wrote it.
  • Curiosity about polymer science, 3D printing, and other parts of our production process.
  • Experience working at the interface of physical and digital worlds.
  • Allergic to slow software.
Sounds fun, right?
If you identify with Moon's values and would like to contribute to our work, please submit your resume and cover letter (optional)
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Moon Creative Lab is an equal opportunity employer; applicants are considered for all roles without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital, parental, veteran or military status, unfavorable military discharge, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Apply