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Senior Software Development Engineer Jobs in California

Senior Software Development Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

... development, owning critical infrastructure while ensuring systems are world-ready by design. We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to design, build, and scale core GenAI services, evaluation ...

Senior Software Development Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

The Opportunity Adobe is looking for a Senior Software Engineer to help build the platform that ... Participating in all aspects of software development activities, including design, coding, code ...

Sr. Software Development Engineer - Gen AI

Redlands, CA · On-site

$123K - $162K/yr

Esri's Professional Services division is seeking an experienced Sr. Software Development Engineer to help advance the next generation of geospatial data quality capabilities across the ArcGIS ...

The Senior Software Development Engineer in Test is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining automated testing solutions that improve software quality, reduce production risk, and ...

Senior Software Development Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

... of software engineering experience, with a track record of delivering high-quality releases on time. AI & Automation (Key Focus) * Hands-on experience using AI-assisted development tools such as ...

The Senior Software Development Engineer in Test is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining automated testing solutions that improve software quality, reduce production risk, and ...

SDET, Remote opportunity

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

$130K - $145K/yr

Senior SDET, Automation Quality and Test Engineering Position: Senior SDET Location: Hybrid if local to Irvine, CA. 100% remote if you live more than 30 miles from the office. Our client is one of ...

The Senior Software Development Engineer in Test is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining automated testing solutions that improve software quality, reduce production risk, and ...

... of software engineering experience, with a track record of delivering high-quality releases on time. AI & Automation (Key Focus) * Hands-on experience using AI-assisted development tools such as ...

The Adobe Stock organization is looking for a Senior Software Engineer to help build and evolve our Web Platform (stock.adobe.com). Adobe Stock gives designers and businesses access to over 200 ...

Sr Software Dev Engineer

La Honda, CA · On-site

$126K - $185K/yr

Senior ML Infrastructure & MLOps Engineer (Core Platform) Role Overview We are seeking an ownership ... Collaborate closely with ML researchers and core software engineers to translate theoretical models ...

We are seeking a full-time Software Development Engineer to join the Commerce Engineering Team responsible for managing tens of millions of subscriptions for Adobe. The Challenge We seek a dedicated ...

The Opportunity We are seeking an experienced Senior Software Engineer to build, develop, and ... Champion a culture of engineering excellence and AI native development What You Need to Succeed ...

Senior Software Development Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$144K - $190K/yr

The Adobe Stock organization is looking for a Senior Software Engineer to help build and evolve our Web Platform (stock.adobe.com). Adobe Stock gives designers and businesses access to over 200 ...

Sr. Software Development Engineer 4

San Jose, CA · On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

The Sr. Software Development Engineer 4 will design, develop, and test key components of the platform, ensuring high reliability and scalability while leading production deployment activities and ...

Senior Software Development Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

We are seeking a full-time Software Development Engineer to join the Commerce Engineering Team responsible for managing tens of millions of subscriptions for Adobe. The Challenge We seek a dedicated ...

Senior Software Development Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

The Adobe Stock organization is looking for a Senior Software Engineer to help build and evolve our Web Platform (stock.adobe.com). Adobe Stock gives designers and businesses access to over 200 ...

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Showing results 1-20

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 Jul 16, 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Software Development Engineer, and why are they important?

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 engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior Software Development Engineers in high-demand industries or companies, especially those with expertise in areas like machine learning, cloud computing, or cybersecurity, can earn $300,000 or more annually. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, particularly in large tech firms or startups with significant funding.

Can I make 200k a year as a software engineer?

Senior Software Development Engineers in many regions can earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with experience, specialized skills, and working at large tech companies or in high-cost-of-living areas. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, and reaching this level typically requires advanced technical expertise and a strong track record.

What are Senior Software Development Engineers?

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 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 engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior Software Development Engineers at top tech companies can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills in areas like distributed systems or machine learning, and a track record of significant contributions or leadership roles.

Can you make $500,000 as a software engineer?

Senior software development engineers at large tech companies or with extensive experience and specialized skills can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires advanced expertise, leadership roles, or working in high-paying industries or regions with competitive compensation packages.
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 July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $141,415 per year, or $68 per hour.
Senior Software Development Engineer

Senior Software Development Engineer

Adobe, Inc.

San Jose, CA • On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

The Opportunity
Adobe is building the next generation of GenAI services and agents to power AI-first experiences across Experience Cloud and beyond. Our team is evolving into a core contributor to GenAI platform and service development, owning critical infrastructure while ensuring systems are world-ready by design.
We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to design, build, and scale core GenAI services, evaluation frameworks, and agentic capabilities. This role spans GenAI platform engineering, developer enablement, and global readiness, with strong ownership of architecture and cross-team impact.
What you'll Do
GenAI Core Services & Architecture
  • Design and architect scalable GenAI core services (e.g., Voice, Evaluation, Moderation, AI-powered triage and auto-fix systems).
  • Lead end-to-end development, driving system design, performance, reliability, and security.
  • Make key architectural decisions for distributed systems, APIs, and LLM integrations.
  • Partner with platform and product teams to onboard engineering teams and drive reuse and standardization.

AI World-Readiness & Global Quality
  • Architect world-ready GenAI systems by embedding internationalization and localization into platform design.
  • Evolve the GenAI Globalization Framework for multilingual, compliant, high-quality experiences.
  • Drive improvements in multilingual capability, safety, and consistency across products.
  • Establish best practices and metrics for global quality.
What you need to succeed
  • MS in Computer Science or related field, or equivalent experience.
  • 15+ years of software engineering experience building scalable distributed systems.
  • Strong expertise in system design and architecture (microservices, APIs, platforms).
  • Rich experience with internationalization/localization or global products.
  • Experience building or integrating GenAI/LLM-powered systems in production.
  • Proven ability to lead technical initiatives and influence cross-team architecture.
  • Solid modern engineering practices (CI/CD, testing, observability, reliability).
  • Strong communication, collaboration, and mentorship skills.
About Adobe
Adobe empowers everyone to create through innovative platforms and tools that unleash creativity, productivity and personalized customer experiences. Adobe's industry-leading offerings including Adobe Acrobat Studio, Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly, Creative Cloud, Adobe Experience Platform, Adobe Experience Manager, and GenStudio enable people and businesses to turn ideas into impact, powered by AI and driven by human ingenuity.
Our 30,000+ employees worldwide are creating the future and raising the bar as we drive the next decade of growth. We're on a mission to hire the very best and believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. At Adobe, we believe that great ideas can come from anywhere in the organization. The next big idea could be yours.
Let's Adobe together
At Adobe, we believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. Learn more about Adobe life, including our values and culture, focus on people, purpose and community, Adobe for All, comprehensive benefits programs, the stories we tell, the customers we serve, and how you can help us advance our mission of empowering everyone to create.
Adobe is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on gender, race or color, ethnicity or national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Learn more.
Adobe aims to make our Careers website and recruiting process accessible to any and all users. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to navigate our website or complete the application process, email accommodations@adobe.com or call +1 408-536-3015.
AI Use Guidelines for Interviews:
Our interviews are designed to reflect your own skills and thinking. The use of AI or recording tools during live interviews is not permitted unless explicitly invited by the interviewer or approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation. If these tools are used inappropriately or in a way that misrepresents your work, your application may not move forward in the process.
About Adobe
Adobe empowers everyone to create through innovative platforms and tools that unleash creativity, productivity and personalized customer experiences. Adobe's industry-leading offerings including Adobe Acrobat Studio, Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly, Creative Cloud, Adobe Experience Platform, Adobe Experience Manager, and GenStudio enable people and businesses to turn ideas into impact, powered by AI and driven by human ingenuity.
Our 30,000+ employees worldwide are creating the future and raising the bar as we drive the next decade of growth. We're on a mission to hire the very best and believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. At Adobe, we believe that great ideas can come from anywhere in the organization. The next big idea could be yours.
Let's Adobe together
At Adobe, we believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. Learn more about Adobe life, including our values and culture, focus on people, purpose and community, Adobe for All, comprehensive benefits programs, the stories we tell, the customers we serve, and how you can help us advance our mission of empowering everyone to create.
Adobe is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on gender, race or color, ethnicity or national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Learn more.
Adobe aims to make our Careers website and recruiting process accessible to any and all users. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to navigate our website or complete the application process, email accommodations@adobe.com or call +1 408-536-3015.
AI Use Guidelines for Interviews:
Our interviews are designed to reflect your own skills and thinking. The use of AI or recording tools during live interviews is not permitted unless explicitly invited by the interviewer or approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation. If these tools are used inappropriately or in a way that misrepresents your work, your application may not move forward in the process.
At Adobe, we empower employees to innovate with AI - and we look for candidates eager to do the same. As part of the hiring experience, we provide clear guidance on where AI is encouraged during the process and where it's restricted during live interviews. See how we think about AI in the hiring experience.
Expected Pay Range:
Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The U.S. pay range for this position is $159,200 -- $301,600 annually. Pay within this range varies by work location and may also depend on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the job location during the hiring process.
In California, the pay range for this position is $208,300 - $301,600
At Adobe, for sales roles starting salaries are expressed as total target compensation (TTC = base + commission), and short-term incentives are in the form of sales commission plans. Non-sales roles starting salaries are expressed as base salary and short-term incentives are in the form of the Annual Incentive Plan (AIP).
In addition, certain roles may be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of a new hire equity award.
State-Specific Notices:
California:
Fair Chance Ordinances
Adobe will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with state and local laws and "fair chance" ordinances.
Colorado:
Application Window Notice
Sep 07 2026 12:00 AM
If this role is open to hiring in Colorado (as listed on the job posting), the application window will remain open until at least the date and time stated above in Pacific Time, in compliance with Colorado pay transparency regulations. If this role does not have Colorado listed as a hiring location, no specific application window applies, and the posting may close at any time based on hiring needs.
Massachusetts:
Massachusetts Legal Notice
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Adobe logo

About Adobe

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Adobe for All is our vision to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across our company and in our communities. We’re focused on creating a more diverse and inclusive workforce; unleashing the full potential of every employee; and driving meaningful impact for Adobe, our industry, and society at large. Creativity has the power to unite us and inspire us to change the world. Through a vision we call Creativity for All, we’re empowering millions of people of all ages and backgrounds to express themselves, reach their full potential, and share their diverse perspectives with the world. We’re committed to advancing the responsible use of technology and driving a positive environmental impact through sustainability and climate action. Our innovations are making a significant impact across AI ethics, security, privacy, trust and safety, accessibility, and sustainability.

Industry

Computer and computer peripheral equipment and software wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Jose, CA, US

Year founded

1982