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Phd Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Waymo

Software Engineer, Multiverse

San Francisco, CA · On-site

You have: * 3+ years of full-time software engineering experience, or a quantitative PhD with software engineering experience * C++ proficiency * Python familiarity * SQL familiarity * Strong verbal ...

Brilent

Software Engineer Intern

San Mateo, CA · On-site

As a software engineering intern, you will work alongside our small team of engineers to create new ... Pursuing BS, MS or PhD in Computer Science or related field * Experience with Java, C++ or Python ...

NuByt, Inc

Be Seen First

Navigation Software Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$55 - $65/hr

We are seeking a high-level Embedded Software Engineer to optimize motion sensor and positioning ... Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Geomatics, Aeronautical Engineering, or Physics. * 3+ ...

Snowflake

Software Engineer, Data Governance

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

$134K - $162K/yr

As a Senior Software Engineer in Data Governance, you will design and build data governance ... PhD preferred • Some experience in database security or building data governance systems is a ...

Qualcomm

Staff Software Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site +1

OR PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field and 2+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience. Preferred ...

Amat

Software Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$179K - $246K/yr

As a Software Engineer at Applied Materials, you'll dive deep into ground-breaking technologies ... PhD degree in a related field * Proficient in Modern C++, Python, C#/Java/Rust, machine learning ...

Qualcomm

#Senior Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$130K - $171K/yr

... PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field. • 2+ years of ... of software development experience, or equivalent. • Strong experience in Linux Kernel ...

Applied Materials

Software Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$179K - $246K/yr

As a Software Engineer at Applied Materials, you'll dive deep into ground-breaking technologies ... PhD degree in a related field * Proficient in Modern C++, Python, C#/Java/Rust, machine learning ...

Qualcomm

#Product Software Engineer

San Diego, CA

OR PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field. • 2+ years of ... Experience with Software development, debugging and testing with ARM or x86 based compute and ...

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All JobsPhd Software Engineer JobsPhd Software Engineer Jobs in California

Phd Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$62.7K

$145.6K

$202.8K

How much do phd software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for phd 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 PhD Software Engineer?

A PhD Software Engineer is a professional who has completed a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree specializing in computer science, software engineering, or a related field, and works in designing, developing, and optimizing software systems. They often engage in advanced research, develop innovative algorithms, and solve complex technical problems. Their expertise is typically utilized in roles that require deep technical knowledge, research skills, and the ability to push the boundaries of current technology. PhD Software Engineers are commonly found in academia, research institutions, and leading technology companies.

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

A PhD Software Engineer requires advanced programming expertise, strong analytical and research skills, and typically a doctorate in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with specialized programming languages, version control systems like Git, and experience with research-oriented software tools are common technical requirements. Exceptional problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills help bridge the gap between research and practical application. These abilities are crucial for driving innovation, translating complex theories into scalable solutions, and contributing to cutting-edge technology projects.

How does having a PhD impact the daily responsibilities and project involvement of a Software Engineer?

As a PhD Software Engineer, you are often entrusted with tackling complex problems and leading research-driven projects that require advanced analytical and technical skills. Your daily work may involve designing novel algorithms, conducting experiments, and collaborating closely with cross-functional teams such as data scientists and product managers. Additionally, you might mentor junior engineers and help shape the technical direction of your team. This role leverages your research background to bridge the gap between academic innovation and practical software solutions.
What are popular job titles related to Phd Software Engineer jobs in California? For Phd Software Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Phd Software Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Phd Software Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Phd Software Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Phd Software Engineer job openings:
Phd Software Engineer jobs near you
Software Engineer, Multiverse

Software Engineer, Multiverse

Waymo

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

The Multiverse team at Waymo is responsible for the end-to-end evaluation of our autonomous driving software. We don't just look at what happened; we look at what could have happened. Using a mix of real-world testing and counterfactual simulation, we stress-test the Waymo Driver's safety and reliability before it ever hits the road. Join us in the Driver Understanding and Evaluation (DUE) group to develop the rich metrics that define the future of autonomous mobility.

You will:

  • Build the infrastructure to administer a "virtual driver's test" for the Waymo Driver. Design, implement, and operate scalable simulation data pipelines and/or real world monitoring in order to evaluate the driving capability of the Waymo Driver, and at low latency in the real world.
  • Improve the signal quality provided by the "virtual driver's test" and measured in the real world. Measure and improve the quality of individual simulations as well as that of the overarching simulation workflows. Seek to answer whether the results of the "virtual driver's test" are predictive of the Waymo Driver's real-world driving behavior. 
  • Apply ML models from partner teams, and optionally contribute to them yourself, to improve the efficiency of our "virtual driver's test": simulate the most interesting situations and report the most interesting simulation results.
  • Apply software engineering best practices in order to improve code health and developer experience in the "virtual driver's test" and the real world monitoring development ecosystems.
  • Partner with cross-functional teams including Data Science and Systems Engineering who will help with number crunching and expert understanding of the Waymo Driver internals.

You have:

  • 3+ years of full-time software engineering experience, or a quantitative PhD with software engineering experience
    • C++ proficiency
    • Python familiarity 
    • SQL familiarity 
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Excited about autonomous driving, Sim+Eval, eager to learn

We prefer:

  • Industry or doctoral experience in a quantitative- or quality- focused engineering role in which you were performing tasks like developing hypotheses, designing and running experiments, processing data from experiments, synthesizing conclusions, and ensuring the long term stability and health of the production system.
  • B.Sc. in Computer Science
  • Experience working with large FAANG scale distributed systems.

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