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Scientific Programmer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Deloitte

Senior AI Engineer - SFL Scientific

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$112K - $154K/yr

Required : • Bachelor's degree in a STEM field (Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, etc.) or equivalent experience • 4+ years of experience working in data engineering, data science, software ...

Mithrl

QA Engineer, Scientific Workflows

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

ABOUT THE ROLE We are hiring a QA Engineer, Scientific Software to build the test, validation, and monitoring infrastructure that guarantees the correctness and reliability of the Mithrl AI Co ...

Mithrl

QA Engineer, Scientific Workflows

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

ABOUT THE ROLE We are hiring a QA Engineer, Scientific Software to build the test, validation, and monitoring infrastructure that guarantees the correctness and reliability of the Mithrl AI Co ...

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All JobsScientific Programmer JobsScientific Programmer Jobs in California

Scientific Programmer information

See California salary details

$10

$39

$70

How much do scientific programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for scientific programmer in California is $39.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.19 and $56.68 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $500,000?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, petroleum engineering, or aerospace engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. These roles typically require advanced skills, extensive experience, and often involve leadership or executive responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Scientific Programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Scientific Programmer, you need a solid background in computer science, mathematics, or a related field, along with strong programming skills in languages like Python, C++, or R. Familiarity with scientific computing libraries (such as NumPy, SciPy), data analysis tools, and version control systems like Git is typically required, and experience with high-performance computing or parallel processing is a plus. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication are key soft skills that distinguish top performers in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for developing reliable, efficient code to support complex scientific research and for collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

Can I work at NASA being a programmer?

Scientific programmers can work at NASA by developing software for mission operations, data analysis, or simulations. They typically need strong programming skills in languages like C++, Python, or Fortran, along with a background in science or engineering. Security clearances and specialized knowledge of aerospace systems are often required for certain roles.

What is the difference between Scientific Programmer vs Data Analyst?

AspectScientific ProgrammerData Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Computer Science, Physics, or related fields; programming skillsBachelor's or higher in Statistics, Data Science, or related fields; analytical skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, scientific institutions, academia, industry R&DBusiness, finance, healthcare, marketing sectors
Employer & Industry UsageResearch organizations, universities, scientific companiesCorporations, consulting firms, government agencies
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding technical roles in scientific computingAnalyzing data to inform decisions

Scientific Programmers focus on developing software and algorithms for scientific research, often working with complex simulations and data modeling. Data Analysts interpret data sets to generate insights and support decision-making. While both roles require strong programming skills and analytical thinking, Scientific Programmers are more involved in software development for scientific purposes, whereas Data Analysts focus on data interpretation and reporting.

What are scientific programmers?

Scientific programmers are professionals who develop, implement, and optimize software solutions for scientific research and data analysis. They work closely with scientists and researchers to translate complex scientific problems into computational algorithms, scripts, and tools. Their work often involves programming in languages like Python, C++, or R, and may include tasks such as data processing, simulation, modeling, and visualization. Scientific programmers play a crucial role in advancing research by making scientific computations more efficient and reproducible.

Is a programmer a scientist?

A scientific programmer is a professional who applies programming skills to scientific research, data analysis, and modeling. While they use scientific methods and often work closely with scientists, they are primarily skilled in coding and computational techniques rather than conducting original scientific research. Their role bridges programming and scientific inquiry, often requiring knowledge of specific scientific domains and tools like MATLAB, Python, or R.

What Does a Scientific Programmer Do?

The duties of a scientific programmer are to design a variety of tools for researchers to perform statistical and mathematical modeling on large datasets. They often work within a specific framework or software, and their responsibilities are to script tools that make it easier for scientists to use the programs or models. Their duties may include designing a new user interface or creating shell scripts for the UNIX or Linux operating systems. A scientific programmer also conducts code review and quality assurance tasks to ensure that programs are ready to be used. Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in computer science, bioinformatics, or computational biology. If you want to specialize in a particular discipline, you may need additional experience or advanced qualifications.

What tech jobs pay 400,000 a year?

Scientific programmers working in high-level research, data science, or specialized software development can reach salaries of $400,000 or more, especially with advanced skills in machine learning, large-scale computing, or domain-specific expertise. Such roles often require extensive experience, advanced degrees, and proficiency with programming languages like Python, C++, or Fortran, as well as familiarity with high-performance computing environments.

How does a Scientific Programmer typically collaborate with researchers and other technical staff on projects?

Scientific Programmers often work closely with research scientists, data analysts, and IT teams to develop and optimize software tools for scientific studies. They participate in project meetings to understand research goals, translate scientific requirements into code, and troubleshoot issues that arise in computational workflows. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as Scientific Programmers must ensure their solutions align with both technical standards and the scientific objectives of the research team.
More about Scientific Programmer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Scientific Programmer jobs in California? The most popular types of Scientific Programmer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Scientific Programmer jobs in California? For Scientific Programmer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Scientific Programmer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Scientific Programmer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Scientific Programmer jobs? Cities in California with the most Scientific Programmer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Scientific Programmer jobs in CA? For Scientific Programmer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Scientific Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Scientific Programmer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 6% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,833 per year, or $39.3 per hour.
Pharmacokinetics Systems Biology Expert

Pharmacokinetics Systems Biology Expert

Mercor

San Francisco, CA • On-site, Remote

$70 - $100/hr

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

About the job

Mercor connects elite creative and technical talent with leading AI research labs. Headquartered in San Francisco, our investors include Benchmark, General Catalyst, Peter Thiel, Adam D'Angelo, Larry Summers, and Jack Dorsey.

Position: STEM Computational Scientific Software & Evaluation Design - Pharmacokinetics & Systems Biology
Type: Contract
Compensation: $70–$100/hour
Location: Remote
Commitment: 15–20 hours/week

Role Responsibilities

  • Design challenging computational problems using domain-specific scientific software libraries like libRoadRunner, Tellurium, or SBML-based tools.
  • Develop problems that test AI systems' ability to implement complex multi-step scientific workflows and strategic reasoning.
  • Calibrate tasks against state-of-the-art AI models, refining problem design to achieve target difficulty.
  • Collaborate with AI research teams to improve model outputs and training data quality.
  • Work independently and asynchronously to meet deadlines and improve AI model performance.

Qualifications

Must-Have

  • Graduate-level training in a relevant STEM domain (MS, PhD, or equivalent research experience).
  • Proficiency with at least one listed scientific software library, evidenced by research publications, open-source contributions, or professional work.
  • Strong Python programming skills for writing problem setups, oracle functions, and solution validators.
  • Ability to work independently and iterate on problem designs based on calibration feedback.
  • Comfortable in a Linux/terminal environment with remote compute sandboxes.

Preferred

  • Experience across multiple listed domains or tools.
  • Familiarity with benchmark or evaluation design.
  • Background in scientific pedagogy or exam/problem-set design.
  • Experience with computational reproducibility and containerized environments.

Application Process (Takes 20–30 mins to complete)

  • Upload resume
  • AI interview based on your resume
  • Submit form

Resources & Support

  • For details about the interview process and platform information, please check: https://talent.docs.mercor.com/welcome
  • For any help or support, reach out to: support@mercor.com

PS: Our team reviews applications daily. Please complete your AI interview and application steps to be considered for this opportunity.