ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Professional Software Engineer Jobs in California

General Matter

Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Required : • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent, with 5+ years of professional software engineering experience • Deep proficiency in C++ and/or Python, including ...

Prosum Inc.

Junior Software Engineer

Temecula, CA · On-site

$115K - $120K/yr

Junior Software Engineer (Hands-On Growth Role) Core Technologies ... C/C++, Python, Linux, Containers, Security Experience Level: 2+ years of professional experience ...

BigHat Biosciences

Senior Software Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$19K - $215K/mo

Experience * 7+ years of professional software engineering experience building and owning production systems, including demonstrated end-to-end ownership of features or epics, OR * 5+ years of ...

BigHat Biosciences

Senior Software Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$139K - $183K/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 ...

BigHat Biosciences

Senior Software Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$139K - $184K/yr

Required : • 7+ years of professional software engineering experience building and owning production systems, including demonstrated end-to-end ownership of features or epics, OR • 5+ years of ...

Zania, Inc

Software Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$100K - $200K/yr

Experience: 4-8 years of professional software engineering experience (not intended for recent graduates). * Proven Technical Impact: A demonstrated track record of delivering complex, high-quality ...

MDAEdge

HEM Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

Required : • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, IT, or related field. • 2-4 years of professional software engineering experience. • Proficiency in C, C++, Python, and ...

Prosum Inc.

Senior Software Engineer

Temecula, CA · On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

Required Qualifications * 7+ years of professional software engineering experience with significant C/C++ systems development. * Demonstrated experience developing cryptographic, cybersecurity, or ...

Rundoo

Software Engineer

Redwood City, CA · On-site

Required : • 1-3 years of professional software engineering experience • Solid command of computer-science fundamentals and fluency in at least one production language • Comfort shipping ...

Linuxconfig

Software Engineer

Scotts Valley, CA · On-site

$110 - $150/hr

Bachelor's degree in computer science, Engineering, or a related field; equivalent demonstrated experience will be considered. * 2+ years of professional software engineering experience for the ...

New

Next Matter

Ground Software Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field * 1+ years of professional software engineering experience with strong proficiency ...

New

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

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

Software Engineer

General Matter

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
General Matter is enriching uranium in America, aiming to restore the nation's ability to produce nuclear fuel. The Software Engineer will develop high-performance, safe, and reliable software for controlling systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure safety and accuracy in critical applications.
Responsibilities:
• Design and implement high-performance, production-grade software systems in C++ and Python, with a strong focus on reliability and maintainability
• Architect complex solutions from the ground up, making principled decisions around system design, performance trade-offs, and technology selection
• Lead technical design reviews and code reviews, setting and enforcing engineering best practices across the team
• Build and maintain automated testing and CI/CD pipelines to ensure software quality at scale
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers while driving independent progress on complex, ambiguous technical problems
Qualifications:
Required:
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent, with 5+ years of professional software engineering experience
• Deep proficiency in C++ and/or Python, including language internals, performance characteristics, and idiomatic usage
• Strong understanding of Linux internals — process management, memory models, I/O, and system calls — and how they influence software design and performance
• Strong CS fundamentals — algorithms, data structures, concurrency, and system design
• Demonstrated ownership of large, production-grade systems with evidence of exceptional technical ability
• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary.
Preferred:
• Experience with distributed systems, observability tooling, and infrastructure as code
• Proficiency in Python ecosystems for data pipelines, automation, or backend services
• Experience with C++ performance optimization, profiling, and low-level systems programming
• Experience with Linux system programming, including threading models, IPC, real-time process management, and low-level kernel interfaces
• Comfort across the full software development lifecycle, from design through deployment
Company:
General Matter is a nuclear energy company that produces enriched uranium fuel for nuclear energy applications. Founded in 2024, the company is headquartered in San Francisco, USA, with a team of 11-50 employees. The company is currently Early Stage.

Apply