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Professional Software Engineer Jobs in California

ETAP Software

Senior Software Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$129K - $171K/yr

Required : • Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field • 5+ years of professional software development experience • Experience using Microsoft Visual ...

Ritchie Bros.

Senior Software Engineer

Gardena, CA · On-site

$124K - $164K/yr

Minimum 5years of professional software engineering experience Proficiency in .NET, C# and relational databases. Having knowledge in front-end technologies like React, Knockout, or Angular is ...

Everglade Works

Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$60 - $80/hr

What We are Looking For: * 3+ years of professional software engineering experience. * Proficiency in one or more of the following: Python, Java, JavaScript, C#, or Go. * Experience with front-end ...

Gamma Scientific

Software Engineer

San Diego, CA

Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related technical discipline. * 3-7 years of professional software development experience.

NextDeavor Inc.

Mid Level Software Engineer

Irvine, CA · Remote

$100K - $115K/yr

Mentor peers and grow technical expertise through cross-functional collaboration Here's What You'll Need to Be Successful in This Role * 3+ years of professional software engineering experience

BigHat

Senior Software Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$198 - $215/hr

You adapt well as priorities and focus areas shift, and you collaborate effectively with engineers inside and outside your direct team. * 7+ years of professional software engineering experience ...

BigHat Biosciences

Senior Software Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$140K - $184K/yr

You adapt well as priorities and focus areas shift, and you collaborate effectively with engineers inside and outside your direct team. * 7+ years of professional software engineering experience ...

smart folks inc

Software Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

Required Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent practical experience). - 3+ years of professional software engineering experience ...

AgreeYa Solutions

Software Engineer II

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$105K - $143K/yr

Los Angeles ,CA (Hybrid) Duration: 12+months Required Qualifications * 3 5 years of professional software engineering experience or equivalent * Strong programming skills in Python, TypeScript, or ...

Menlo Ventures

Software Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$120 - $150/hr

Experience: 5+ years of professional software engineering experience (not intended for recent graduates). * Proven Technical Impact: A demonstrated track record of delivering complex, high‑quality ...

New

Industrious Ventures

Software Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

... professional software development experience OR MS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related technical field with 3+ years of professional software development experience * Academic ...

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All JobsProfessional Software Engineer JobsProfessional Software Engineer Jobs in California

Professional Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$62.7K

$145.6K

$202.8K

How much do professional software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for professional 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 professional software engineer?

Professional software engineers are trained experts who design, develop, test, and maintain software applications or systems to solve problems or meet user needs. They use programming languages, tools, and engineering principles to create reliable and efficient software. In addition to coding, software engineers often collaborate with other team members, participate in code reviews, and follow industry best practices to ensure high-quality software delivery.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a professional software engineer?

To thrive as a Professional Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills, problem-solving abilities, and a relevant degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with version control systems (like Git), software development frameworks, and cloud platforms is typically required, and certifications such as AWS Certified Developer or Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate can be beneficial. Excellent communication, teamwork, and adaptability are soft skills that help you collaborate effectively and navigate changing project requirements. These skills ensure you can build robust, scalable solutions while working efficiently within diverse technical teams.

What are some common challenges faced by professional software engineers when working on large-scale projects?

Professional software engineers working on large-scale projects often encounter challenges such as managing complex codebases, ensuring effective communication across multidisciplinary teams, and maintaining high code quality under tight deadlines. Coordinating with other engineers, testers, and product managers can be demanding, especially when handling dependencies or integrating new features. Staying updated with evolving technologies and adhering to best practices in version control and documentation are also crucial for successful project delivery.

What is the difference between Professional Software Engineer vs Software Developer?

AspectProfessional Software EngineerSoftware Developer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in CS or related field, certifications optionalSimilar educational background, certifications less common
Work EnvironmentOften in teams, involved in full project lifecycle, may work in corporate or enterprise settingsTypically focused on coding, testing, and implementation, in various settings including startups and freelance
Industry UsageWidely used in corporate, enterprise, and government sectorsCommon in startups, freelance, and smaller companies

The main difference lies in scope and responsibilities. Professional Software Engineers often have a broader role, including design, architecture, and project management, while Software Developers primarily focus on coding and implementation. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but the Professional Software Engineer may be expected to handle more complex projects and collaborate across teams.

What do professional software engineers do?

Professional software engineers design, develop, test, and maintain software applications and systems. They analyze user requirements, write code using programming languages, and collaborate with teams to ensure functionality, performance, and security. They often use tools like version control systems and follow industry best practices to deliver reliable software solutions.

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 cities in California are hiring for Professional Software Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Professional Software Engineer job openings:

Professional Software Engineer jobs near you

Senior Professional Software Engineer (Python)

CoreLogic

Irvine, CA • On-site

$131K - $173K/yr

Other

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

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

CoreLogic rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 26 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

236th of 494 rated business services

Job description

At Cotality, we are driven by a single mission-to make the property industry faster, smarter, and more people-centric. Cotality is the trusted source for property intelligence, with unmatched precision, depth, breadth, and insights across the entire ecosystem. Our talented team of 5,000 employees globally uses our network, scale, connectivity and technology to drive the largest asset class in the world. Join us as we work toward our vision of fueling a thriving global property ecosystem and a more resilient society.
Cotality is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive work culture that inspires innovation and bold thinking; it's a place where you can collaborate, feel valued, develop skills and directly impact the real estate economy. We know our people are our greatest asset. At Cotality, you can be yourself, lift people up and make an impact. By putting clients first and continuously innovating, we're working together to set the pace for unlocking new possibilities that better serve the property industry.
Job Description:
The hybrid-remote Senior Professional, Software Development Engineering position is responsible for independently designing, developing, and testing software systems for enhancements and new products. This role focuses on creating scalable, quality, flexible, and user-friendly applications while applying engineering principles, resolving complex bugs, and mentoring junior colleagues.
Job Responsibilities:
  • Drive the end-to-end development of the Cotality Unified Semantic Hub and its associated Ops Portal, bridging the Semantic Layer with bulk repositories to ensure high-performance data integration.
  • Architect Automated YAML Generation: Build and maintain the API-enabled engine (Python microservices) responsible for generating OSI-compliant, AI-ready metadata YAML files for delivery to Snowflake and Databricks.
  • Develop Ontology Authoring Tooling: Design and implement interactive UI components that enable domain modelers, data stewards, and SMEs to create, view, and manage the unified enterprise ontology without direct code edits.
  • Operationalize Data Governance & Scale: Build functional components to refine "fiduciary-grade" metadata. Implement features to monitor data quality, ensuring the Hub remains the single source of truth for all AI translation tasks.
  • Full-Lifecycle Software Development: Design, code, test, and debug complex software across a broad system scope. Develop detailed specifications to satisfy both internal and external customer requirements.
  • Drive Code Excellence & Testing: Write clean, maintainable, and well-documented code utilizing Test-Driven Development (TDD). Collaborate with the QA team to define scope, improve testing methods, and ensure system reliability.
  • Collaborate & Consult: Work closely with Technical Anchors, Product Managers, and business partners to evaluate feasibility, define technical requirements, and translate business needs into actionable architectural solutions.
  • Provide Operational Support & Innovation: Diagnose and resolve complex production incidents. Research new technologies/platforms and actively disseminate knowledge throughout the department.
  • Mentorship & Leadership: Mentor junior colleagues through rigorous code reviews, sharing expertise on API design, and software development lifecycles.
  • Apply engineering principles and methodologies to assigned projects and tasks.
  • Communicate progress regularly and identify blocking issues to maintain project momentum.

Job Qualifications:
  • Education & Experience: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, AI, or a related field, with 5+ years of professional software engineering experience working through all phases of development.
  • Backend & API Mastery: Expert-level Python/FastAPI developer with a strong understanding of scalable microservices architecture and API integrations.
  • Full-Stack Capability & UI/UX: Proficiency in building interactive UIs and authoring portals tailored specifically for technical users (data stewards, modelers, SMEs).
  • Data Platform Proficiency: Strong hands-on experience with Snowflake and Databricks, specifically regarding how they consume and map external metadata.
  • Semantic AI & Governance Mindset: Solid understanding of Knowledge Representation and Ontologies, paired with the ability to design systems that maintain consistency across high-volume enterprise data assets.
  • Cloud Architecture: Experience deploying, maintaining, and managing scalable AI/data services in cloud environments (Google Cloud Platform, AWS, or Azure).
  • Agile Execution: Familiarity with Agile development methodologies (Jira, Confluence) and a proven ability to translate conceptual ideas into structured projects and tasks.
  • Communication & Collaboration: Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills with a keen attention to detail.
  • A customer-oriented mindset with a track record of meeting commitments and collaborating seamlessly with cross-functional stakeholders.
  • Strong proficiency in software development principles and methodologies.
  • Proven track record of delivering components for larger functional areas or applications.
  • Strong problem-solving skills for investigating and fixing software bugs.
  • Experience mentoring junior colleagues and sharing technical knowledge.

#LI-Hybrid
Annual Pay Range:
128,700 - 165,000 USD
Application Window:
This opportunity is expected to remain posted through the date identified below, subject to business needs.
Thrive with Cotality
At Cotality, we offer more than just a job, we provide a benefits experience designed to support your whole self. From a flexible working model to competitive time off and standout health coverage with meaningful perks and growth opportunities, our package is built to help you thrive at work and in life.
Highlights, depending on role classification, include:
  • Time off: Generous PTO and 11 paid holidays, plus well-being and volunteer time off.
  • Family Support: Up to 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave and a baby stipend.
  • Health: Multiple medical plan options with mental health and wellness support offerings.
  • Retirement: 401(k) with company match and vesting after one year.
  • Financial Perks: $400 annual well-being stipend and tuition assistance up to $5,250.
  • Extras: Recognition Rewards, Referral bonuses, exclusive discounts and more!

Cotality is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining the best-qualified people available, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability or status as a veteran of the Armed Forces, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Cotality maintains a Drug-Free Workplace.
Cotality is fully committed to a work environment that embraces everyone's unique contributions, experiences and values. We offer an empowered work environment that encourages creativity, initiative and professional growth and provides a competitive salary and benefits package. We are better together when we support and recognize our differences.
Privacy Policy
Global Applicant Privacy Policy
By providing your telephone number, you agree to receive automated (SMS) text messages at that number from Cotality regarding all matters related to your application and, if you are hired, your employment and company business. Message & data rates may apply. You can opt out at any time by responding STOP or UNSUBSCRIBING and will automatically be opted out company-wide.
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