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Senior Software Development Engineer Jobs in California

Zoomcar

Senior Software Development Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$170K - $220K/yr

Senior Software Development Engineer The NPU Driver team is seeking a Senior Software Engineer with strong C programming and networking expertise to join our team. This role provides an excellent ...

Duro

Sr. Software Development Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$132K - $174K/yr

The Sr. Software Development Engineer on the Duro Design team builds and ships product experiences that hardware engineers rely on every day. You'll work across our modern stack--from frontend ...

IntelliTask LLC

SDET/QA Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

Senior SDET / QA Automation Engineer We are seeking a Senior SDET / QA Automation Engineer with strong hands-on experience in Python and Playwright to join a fast-paced engineering team. The ideal ...

Jobright.ai

Senior Software Development Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

The Sr. Software Development Engineer will provide technology leadership in developing backend services for Cloud Services/Applications, collaborating with various teams to design, deploy, and ...

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All JobsSoftware Development Engineer JobsSenior Software Development Engineer JobsSenior Software Development Engineer Jobs in California

Senior Software Development Engineer information

See California salary details

$74.5K

$141.4K

$189.5K

How much do senior software development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior software development engineer in California is $141,415.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,900.00 and $159,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior software development engineer?

Senior Software Development Engineers are experienced professionals who design, develop, and maintain complex software systems. They often lead technical projects, mentor junior developers, and ensure software quality and best practices within a team. Their responsibilities include writing code, conducting code reviews, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and solving challenging technical problems. Senior Software Development Engineers typically have several years of industry experience and a deep understanding of software engineering principles.

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

To thrive as a Senior Software Development Engineer, you need deep expertise in software engineering principles, advanced programming skills in languages such as Java, Python, or C++, and a bachelor's or higher degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, cloud platforms such as AWS or Azure, and experience with CI/CD pipelines are typically required, and certifications in these technologies can be advantageous. Strong problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills help you mentor junior engineers and collaborate effectively across teams. These competencies are critical for delivering robust solutions, driving technical innovation, and ensuring project success in complex engineering environments.

What are some common challenges senior software development engineers face when leading cross-functional projects?

Senior Software Development Engineers often encounter challenges such as aligning priorities across diverse teams, managing technical debt while delivering new features, and ensuring effective communication among stakeholders. Balancing hands-on coding with mentorship responsibilities and architectural decision-making can also be demanding. Success in this role typically requires strong interpersonal skills, proactive problem-solving, and the ability to adapt to shifting project requirements while maintaining high code quality.

What is the difference between Senior Software Development Engineer vs Software Development Engineer?

AspectSenior Software Development EngineerSoftware Development Engineer
ExperienceTypically 5+ years, with leadership responsibilitiesEntry to mid-level, 1-3 years of experience
ResponsibilitiesDesigning complex systems, mentoring juniors, leading projectsImplementing features, fixing bugs, collaborating on code
Skills & CertificationsProficiency in multiple programming languages, system design, often with certificationsStrong coding skills, foundational knowledge, less emphasis on certifications
Work EnvironmentOften leads teams, involved in architecture decisionsFocused on individual contributions, team collaboration

The main difference between a Senior Software Development Engineer and a Software Development Engineer lies in experience, responsibilities, and leadership. Seniors typically lead projects and mentor others, while juniors focus on coding and task completion. Both roles are vital in software development teams, with seniors bringing more strategic input and mentorship.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Development Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Software Development Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Senior Software Development Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Senior Software Development Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Software Development Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $141,415 per year, or $68 per hour.

Senior Software Development Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

Zoomcar
See more jobs at Zoomcarexternal

$170K - $220K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Senior Software Development Engineer

The NPU Driver team is seeking a Senior Software Engineer with strong C programming and networking expertise to join our team. This role provides an excellent opportunity to be involved in all phases of the software development lifecycle, contributing directly to new product launches and feature development for our next-generation firewall solutions. You will gain broad hands‑on experience with complex and innovative technologies while working closely with a tight‑knit team of highly experienced software engineers.


Responsibilities

  • Participate in the development and maintenance of the existing and next-generation Network Security products.

  • Work on Linux kernel/driver development for SoC-based system.

  • Work on Linux kernel/driver development for Broadcom and Marvell switch/PHY chips, responsible for the design, implementation and maintenance of core platform modules of the appliances.

  • Develop code for new feature/functionality development as well as maintain/redesign existing areas of the products.


Education & Experience Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, or related field.


Skills Required

  • C programming and low‑level debugging

  • Linux Kernel, concurrency and interrupt handling

  • IPv4/IPv6, TCP/IP


Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.


US base salary range for this full‑time position is $170,000–$220,000. Fortinet offers employees a variety of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, 401(k), 11 paid holidays, vacation time, and sick time, as well as a comprehensive leave program.


Wage ranges are based on various factors, including the labour market, job type, and job level. Exact salary offers will be determined by factors such as the candidate’s subject knowledge, skill level, qualifications, experience, and geographic location.


All roles are eligible to participate in the Fortinet equity program. Bonus eligibility is reviewed at the time of hire and annually at the Company’s discretion.


Equal Opportunity

Fortinet is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity in our company, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, military/veteran status or any other applicable legally protected characteristics in the location in which the candidate is applying.


We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@fortinet.com.

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