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Scientific Programmer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Programmer

Los Angeles, CA · Hybrid

$125K - $135K/yr

A bachelor's degree or equivalent in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, preferably * A minimum of three (3) years of relevant programming experience, including a ...

Our parent company, Eurofins Scientific, is a multi-billion-dollar global leader in engineering and scientific services operating over 950 labs in 60 countries with 65,000 employees with a portfolio ...

Our parent company, Eurofins Scientific, is a multi-billion-dollar global leader in engineering and scientific services operating over 900 labs in 60 countries with 65,000 employees with a portfolio ...

Data Science Engineer

Livermore, CA · On-site

$134K - $161K/yr

Wehave multiple openings for a Data Science Engineer with a background in applied machine learning and data science for cybersecurity and power systems applications. You will design, build, and ...

Data Science Engineer

Livermore, CA · On-site

$121K - $154K/yr

Wehave multiple openings for early-career Data Science Engineers to join a team applying machine learning, AI/NLP, and data science to national security challenges. You will contribute to the design ...

We have multiple openings for early-career Data Science Engineers to join a team applying machine learning, AI/NLP, and data science to national security challenges. You will contribute to the design ...

We have multiple openings for early-career Data Science Engineers to join a team applying machine learning, AI/NLP, and data science to national security challenges. You will contribute to the design ...

Showing results 41-60

Scientific Programmer information

See California salary details

$10

$39

$70

How much do scientific programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 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 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.

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.

Is scientific programming a good career?

Scientific programming is a viable career that involves developing software for research, data analysis, and simulation in scientific fields. It requires strong programming skills, knowledge of scientific concepts, and often proficiency in languages like Python, C++, or MATLAB. The demand for scientific programmers is steady in academia, industry, and government research organizations.

What is a scientific programmer?

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.

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.

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.

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:

Infographic showing various Scientific Programmer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 18% Contract. Highlights an 92% In-person, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,833 per year, or $39.3 per hour.

Scientific Computing Software Engineer with Security Clearance

ARETE ASSOCIATES, INC.

Northridge, CA • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

Scientific Computing Software Engineer (TS Clearance Required)
Requisition ID: 1429 At Areté, we are on the forefront of developing innovative solutions, with great minds from all backgrounds, to help solve the nation’s most complex security challenges. We strive for an inclusive, collaborative team environment that approaches differences as opportunities for innovation and excellence. As an employee-owned company, we foster an atmosphere that propels diverse career opportunities and professional growth. Discover your future with us. We are seeking a junior to mid-level applicant with a background in Scientific Computing. The ideal person would have a degree in Physics, Math, or Engineering coupled with a strong software development skillset. The successful candidate will work with scientists and engineers to transform advanced signal and image processing algorithms from higher level languages (e.g., Python) into robust and efficient software suitable for operational use. Other duties include practicing sound software processing methods to design, develop, analyze, and test software applications from prototype to operations, using modern software development languages and practices. Ability to assess algorithm performance on real-world data and document results via written reports and/or well-commented code is a must. This role requires a passion for solving challenging technical problems in a collaborative environment. This position is based in our Northridge, CA office and is classified as an exempt, non-supervisory, full-time role. We have an impressive range of benefits, programs, and perks that we offer: Health & Wellness: Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
Life and Long-Term Disability (LTD)
Vision Reimbursement
Fitness Reimbursement
Financial: Company-funded 5% contribution to your 401(k) retirement plan
Company-funded 5% contribution to your Employee Stock Ownership Plan
Continuing Education Assistance
Work-Life Balance: Flexible Scheduling
Paid Time Off (PTO)
Paid Parental and Bereavement Leave
What We Value: Creativity and innovation in solving challenges
Integrity and responsibility in all actions
Collaboration across teams and specialties
Responsiveness in fast-paced environments
Passion for national security and excellence
Experiences and Background We Look For (Required Skills): Qualified candidates will have a college degree in a scientific discipline or in Computer Science with a focus on scientific computing
Must have an active TS security clearance.
Demonstrated exposure to college level physics, math, and/or signal and image processing techniques
Clear desire and interest in work on scientific projects and to learn physics, math, and signal processing
Strong programming skills in Python, including scientific Python libraries such as numpy, scipy, pandas
Strong programming skills in C or C++
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Intellectual curiosity and a desire for continuous learning
Ability to work with minimal supervision and collaborate with small teams
Willingness to work onsite in the office 100%
Nice to Have (Preferred Skills): Data analysis and visualization skills
Experience working in a Linux environment
Experience with CUDA programming and GPU architecture optimization
Working knowledge of MPI and OpenMP parallel programming models
Demonstrated ability to optimize scientific computing applications
Experience with User Interface / User Experience front-end GUI development
Physics-based modeling and simulation experience
Remote sensing experience utilizing Electro-Optics or Synthetic Aperture RADAR
Classical signal/image processing experience (detection, estimation, and tracking)
Computer vision, image and data fusion, image classification or automated target recognition
The salary for this role, depending on degree and experience, is: Engineer 1: $90,000 - $125,000 [required BS degree or higher]
Engineer 2: $110,000 - $145,000 [minimum experience of BS+2 years, OR MS+0 years]
Staff Engineer: $130,000 - $165,000 [minimum experience of BS+5 years, MS+3 years, or PhD+0 years]
Other Considerations Areté is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination, and we believe every person has the right to be treated with fairness, dignity, and equal consideration. Areté is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. U.S. citizenship is required to meet position eligibility. Successful passage of a criminal background screen is required to meet position eligibility. Selected applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Areté will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring. Successful passage of a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug test is required to meet position eligibility. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website because of your disability. To request an accommodation, please contact Areté Human Resources at 818-885-2200 for assistance.