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Recent Grad Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Kikoff

Software Engineer - Recent Grad

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$165K/yr

Calling all new grad and junior software engineers who are looking for fast personal and career growth in consumer fintech. Skip the bureaucracy of a big company and work with a seasoned startup ...

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Recent Grad Engineer information

What does a recent grad engineer do?

A Recent Grad Engineer is an entry-level engineer who has recently completed their degree and is starting their professional career. They typically work under the supervision of more experienced engineers and assist with designing, testing, and implementing engineering projects. Their responsibilities may include data analysis, drafting reports, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and learning industry-specific tools and protocols. The role provides valuable hands-on experience and helps build the foundational skills necessary for a successful engineering career.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a recent grad engineer?

To thrive as a Recent Grad Engineer, you need a solid grounding in engineering fundamentals, problem-solving, and analytical thinking, usually supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with industry-standard software like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks, and basic project management tools, is highly beneficial. Strong communication, teamwork, and a willingness to learn help recent graduates stand out as they adapt to professional environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for effectively contributing to projects, learning from experienced colleagues, and advancing within the engineering field.

What are some common challenges recent grad engineers face when transitioning from academia to industry?

Recent grad engineers often find the shift from academic projects to real-world engineering work challenging due to differences in project scope, pace, and collaboration. In industry, you’ll likely work in cross-functional teams, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and need to communicate your ideas clearly to both technical and non-technical colleagues. Additionally, adapting to industry-standard tools, workflows, and expectations regarding deadlines and deliverables can require adjustment. Seeking mentorship and proactively asking questions can help ease this transition and accelerate your professional growth.

What is the difference between Recent Grad Engineer vs Entry-Level Engineer?

AspectRecent Grad EngineerEntry-Level Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering or related field; internship or co-op experience often preferredBachelor's degree in engineering; minimal work experience required
Work EnvironmentTypically in engineering firms, manufacturing plants, or construction sitesSimilar environments, often in design, testing, or project support roles
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used for recent graduates starting their engineering careersUsed interchangeably with 'Recent Grad Engineer' in many companies

Recent Grad Engineer and Entry-Level Engineer are often used interchangeably to describe individuals starting their engineering careers with minimal professional experience. Both roles typically require a bachelor's degree and involve similar work environments. The main difference is that 'Recent Grad Engineer' emphasizes recent graduation, while 'Entry-Level Engineer' highlights the level of experience. Employers may use these titles based on their hiring preferences, but both serve as starting points for engineering professionals.

What are popular job titles related to Recent Grad Engineer jobs in California?

For Recent Grad Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Recent Grad Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Recent Grad Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Recent Grad Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Recent Grad Engineer job openings:

Recent Grad Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Recent Grad Engineer job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Part Time. Highlights an 83% In-person, and 17% Remote job distribution.

Software Engineer - Recent Grad

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Kikoff
Software Development • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about Kikoffexternal

Full-time

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

Job description

Calling all new grad and junior software engineers who are looking for fast personal and career growth in consumer fintech. Skip the bureaucracy of a big company and work with a seasoned startup product and engineering team. We balance best practices from our experience in post-IPO companies with the familiar intuition that comes from pre-IPO zero-to-one work.

Our mission is to create fair, effective, and simple financial pathways to help 100M Americans reach their financial goals. Investors include Lightspeed, Coatue and GGV. Founders are serial entrepreneurs who co-founded and served as C-suite executives at 3 FinTech unicorns.

Our backend is written in Ruby on Rails on AWS, using lots of vanilla infrastructure. Our frontend and mobile apps are written in ReactJS on Vercel and Flutter. Strong internships and general open-source experience are necessary, but familiarity with our particular stack is preferred.

Requirements:

  • B.A. / B.S. / M.S. or strong self-taught fundamentals in computer science
  • Expertise in Rails, cloud infrastructure, ReactJS, or Flutter
  • 2+ years of industry experience or equivalent
  • Passion for early stage products and startups
  • Desire to form strong professional bonds with coworkers

Apply