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Physics Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

You will report to the Physics Environment Engineering Manager. You Will: * Innovate and implement ... its impact on software performance. * Physics and Numerical Methods Experience: Practical ...

You will report to the Physics Environment Engineering Manager. You Will: * Innovate and implement ... its impact on software performance. * Physics and Numerical Methods Experience: Practical ...

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Applied Math, or related field * At ... as a Software Engineer or Developer * Active Secret Clearance * Experience designing and ...

Software Engineer

San Diego, CA ยท On-site +1

$87K - $157K/yr

You'll join a cross-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers-experts in hydrodynamics, physics, acoustics, and signal processing -to build high-impact software that extracts meaning from massive ...

Software Engineer

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

You'll join a cross-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers-experts in hydrodynamics, physics, acoustics, and signal processing -to build high-impact software that extracts meaning from massive ...

Software Engineer

Rancho Santa Fe, CA ยท On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

You'll join a cross-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers--experts in hydrodynamics, physics, acoustics, and signal processing --to build high-impact software that extracts meaning from ...

Software Engineer

National City, CA ยท On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

You'll join a cross-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers--experts in hydrodynamics, physics, acoustics, and signal processing --to build high-impact software that extracts meaning from ...

Software Engineer

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

You'll join a cross-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers--experts in hydrodynamics, physics, acoustics, and signal processing --to build high-impact software that extracts meaning from ...

Software Engineer

Cardiff By The Sea, CA ยท On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

You'll join a cross-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers--experts in hydrodynamics, physics, acoustics, and signal processing --to build high-impact software that extracts meaning from ...

Software Engineer

El Cajon, CA ยท On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

You'll join a cross-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers--experts in hydrodynamics, physics, acoustics, and signal processing --to build high-impact software that extracts meaning from ...

Software Engineer

La Jolla, CA ยท On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

You'll join a cross-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers--experts in hydrodynamics, physics, acoustics, and signal processing --to build high-impact software that extracts meaning from ...

Software Engineer

Chula Vista, CA ยท On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

You'll join a cross-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers--experts in hydrodynamics, physics, acoustics, and signal processing --to build high-impact software that extracts meaning from ...

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Applied Math, or related field * At least 3 years of experience as a Software Engineer or Developer * Active Secret Clearance * Experience ...

Simulation Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$123K - $200K/yr

Develop physics-based software models of spacecraft subsystems, including propulsion, attitude ... Perform analyses of constellation capabilities and performance to support business and engineering ...

Our software engineers work closely with our researchers and customers to create state-of-the-art ... Candidates should possess strong math and physics knowledge to enable developing advanced AI/ML ...

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Showing results 1-20

Physics Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$62.7K

$145.6K

$202.8K

How much do physics software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for physics 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 the difference between Physics Software Engineer vs Data Scientist?

AspectPhysics Software EngineerData Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Physics, Computer Science, or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, tech companies, aerospace, or defense industriesTech firms, finance, healthcare, or consulting companies
Industry UsagePhysics research, simulation, modeling, and software developmentData analysis, machine learning, predictive modeling, and data visualization

Physics Software Engineers focus on developing software for physics applications, simulations, and research, often working in research or engineering environments. Data Scientists analyze large datasets to extract insights and build predictive models. While both roles require strong programming skills, Physics Software Engineers emphasize physics principles, whereas Data Scientists focus on data analysis and statistical methods.

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

To thrive as a Physics Software Engineer, you need a strong background in physics, mathematics, and computer science, typically supported by a degree in physics, engineering, or a related field. Proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Python, or MATLAB, and experience with simulation software or scientific computing libraries are essential. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and interpreting complex data. These skills are vital for developing accurate, efficient software solutions that model physical systems and drive innovation in scientific and engineering projects.

What is a Physics Software Engineer?

A Physics Software Engineer is a professional who develops, maintains, and optimizes software that simulates or models physical systems and phenomena. They often work at the intersection of physics, computer science, and engineering, creating tools for scientific research, simulations, or real-time physics engines used in industries like gaming, aerospace, or research institutions. These engineers typically have a strong background in both physics and programming, enabling them to translate complex physical formulas and concepts into efficient and accurate code. Their work is crucial for advancing technology in areas such as computational physics, virtual reality, and engineering design.

How does a Physics Software Engineer typically collaborate with scientists and other engineering teams during a project?

Physics Software Engineers often work closely with physicists, data scientists, and hardware engineers to translate complex physical models into reliable software solutions. Collaboration usually involves regular meetings to clarify requirements, iterative development cycles to test and validate simulation accuracy, and ongoing feedback to refine algorithms. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as engineers must bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and practical implementation while ensuring that software integrates smoothly with other systems. This collaborative environment fosters continuous learning and problem-solving, making the role both challenging and rewarding.
What cities in California are hiring for Physics Software Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Physics Software Engineer job openings:

Physics Applications - Software Engineer

Vinci4D.ai

Palo Alto, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Job Summary:
Vinci4D.ai is building the operator intelligence infrastructure that modern hardware programs rely on daily, and they are seeking a Physics Applications - Software Engineer to define and implement high-quality, reusable software libraries for their core simulation engine. The role involves driving code quality and architectural standards while collaborating with a team of physicists and software engineers to ensure robust and maintainable software solutions for production-grade systems.
Responsibilities:
โ€ข Define and implement high-quality, reusable software libraries for our core simulation engine.
โ€ข Drive code quality, testability, and architectural standards across the team, ensuring our production system scales gracefully and remains maintainable.
โ€ข Design interfaces that are easy to access and correctly reflect the physics they are modeling.
โ€ข Take ownership of critical system components, mentor junior engineers, and guide the team in transforming research prototypes into hardened, customer-facing features.
โ€ข Collaborate closely with Physicists, AI researchers, Software Engineers and Computational Geometry experts to enforce software engineering best practices throughout the full development lifecycle, from ideation to deployment.
Qualifications:
Required:
โ€ข 8+ years of experience in high-quality software development, with significant experience designing and building production-grade systems.
โ€ข Prior experience with scientific computing or physics simulators (FEM, FEA, Molecular Dynamics, FDTD), or large-scale machine learning systems.
โ€ข Demonstrated ability to lead technical initiatives focused on code health, modularity, and system correctness.
โ€ข Expertise in building robust, tested, and maintainable software libraries and APIs.
โ€ข Strong proficiency in modern software development practices, including system design, agentic coding, testing frameworks, and continuous integration/delivery (CI/CD).
โ€ข Have contributed to a production data processing system.
Preferred:
โ€ข STEM MSc, PhD preferred but not required.
โ€ข Experience building and maintaining core ML, data infrastructure, or numerical computing software (e.g., PyTorch, Numpy, Cuda, distributed systems).
โ€ข Experience going from early stage prototype moving to a production environment.
โ€ข At a Startup or National Lab.
โ€ข Have leveraged simulation for design or data generation purposes.
Company:
Vinci is a frontier lab building the foundation model for the physical world. Founded in 2023, the company is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, US, , with a team of 51-200 employees. The company is currently Growth Stage.