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Senior Software Engineer Startup Jobs in California

Oscar Technology

Senior Software Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$250K - $300K/yr

San Jose, CA Salary: $250k - $300K An AI startup is hiring a Senior Software Engineer to join its early engineering team and help build the next generation of AI-powered products. Backed by early ...

Fuku

Senior Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

$180K - $220K/yr

Senior Software Engineer Location: San Francisco (hybrid, 3 days in-office; NYC option depending on ... High About the Company The Company is a small, fast-paced startup in the Creator Tech industry. The ...

Fuku

Senior Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$180K - $220K/yr

Senior Software Engineer Location: San Francisco (hybrid, 3 days in-office; NYC option depending on ... High About the Company The Company is a small, fast-paced startup in the Creator Tech industry. The ...

Fuku

Senior Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA

$144K - $190K/yr

Senior Software Engineer Location: San Francisco, CA (required 5 days/week in-office) Type ... S taff-level or quickly promoted engineer at a startup or AI-first company * F ormer founder or ...

Fuku

Senior Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$144K - $190K/yr

Senior Software Engineer Location: San Francisco, CA (required 5 days/week in-office) Type ... startup or top AI company (e.g., Stripe, Ramp, OpenAI, Anthropic) - Strong backend or full-stack ...

Tendo

Senior Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$127K - $172K/yr

Additionally, the Senior Software Engineer will bring expertise in one or more technologies ... Our team-driven culture and rapid growth have earned us recognition as one of Forbes' Top Startup ...

Tendo

Senior Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$117K - $158K/yr

Additionally, the Senior Software Engineer will bring expertise in one or more technologies ... Our team-driven culture and rapid growth have earned us recognition as one of Forbes' Top Startup ...

Tendo

Senior Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$117K - $158K/yr

Additionally, the Senior Software Engineer will bring expertise in one or more technologies ... Our team-driven culture and rapid growth have earned us recognition as one of Forbes' Top Startup ...

Tendo

Senior Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$127K - $172K/yr

Additionally, the Senior Software Engineer will bring expertise in one or more technologies ... Our team-driven culture and rapid growth have earned us recognition as one of Forbes' Top Startup ...

MAVLRA CORPORATION

Senior Software Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

Senior Software Engineer - Multiple Openings (Java | Spring Boot | AWS | AI) Locations: * Mountain View, CA (Hybrid - 3 Days Onsite) * New York, NY (Hybrid - 3 Days Onsite) - FinTech Role We are ...

New

Hired Recruiters

Senior Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$144K - $190K/yr

We're looking for a Senior Software Engineer to join us full time to expand and improve our core ... Initiate and scale the core product of a rapidly growing startup, backed by top investors in the ...

Britive

Senior Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$144K - $190K/yr

About You You are a passionate Senior Software Engineer who wants to develop and scale our multi ... startup environment. This position will report to the Engineering Manager. Your Impact Key ...

Parakeet Health

Senior Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$144K - $190K/yr

They are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to develop and enhance their platform, leveraging large ... startup is a plus. • Genuine belief that agentic tools are the future of how software gets built.

Whatnot

Senior Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$207K - $230K/yr

We're one of the fastest growing marketplaces and were recently named the #1 Best Startup Employer ... Role We're hiring Senior Software Engineers across multiple engineering pillars at Whatnot ...

Twilio

Senior Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$144K - $190K/yr

About the job As a Senior Software Engineer you will help develop Stytch's fraud detection and ... This is a rare chance to operate like a startup within Twilio: you'll work in a high-ownership ...

ETAP Software

Senior Software Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$129K - $171K/yr

They are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to maintain and enhance software that supports state estimation and virtual metering for complex electrical networks, as well as develop REST APIs and ...

SecurityPal

Senior Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$170K - $200K/yr

We're a post-Series A startup backed by world-class investors, already profitable, and growing fast ... Why This Role Matters We're looking for a Senior Software Engineer who thrives at the intersection ...

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Senior Software Engineer Startup information

What are some unique challenges Senior Software Engineers face when working at a startup compared to a larger company?

Senior Software Engineers at startups often navigate a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment where priorities can shift quickly. Unlike at larger organizations with established processes and specialized teams, startup engineers may wear multiple hats, handling everything from architecture decisions to hands-on coding and even DevOps tasks. This role typically requires a high degree of autonomy and the ability to make impactful technical decisions with limited resources. The collaborative nature means frequent interaction with product managers, designers, and often even company leadership, creating opportunities for broad influence but also demanding strong communication and adaptability.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior software engineers, especially those with extensive experience, specialized skills, and working in high-demand industries or companies, can earn $300,000 or more annually. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, particularly in tech startups or large technology firms in competitive markets.

Are senior software engineers still in demand?

Senior software engineers remain in high demand due to ongoing digital transformation and the need for experienced developers skilled in programming languages, cloud platforms, and software architecture. Companies across various industries seek senior engineers to lead projects, improve systems, and mentor junior staff, making this a stable and valuable role in the tech industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Software Engineer at a startup, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Software Engineer at a startup, you need advanced programming abilities, architectural design experience, and a solid understanding of software development lifecycles, typically backed by a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with modern frameworks, cloud platforms (like AWS or Azure), version control systems (such as Git), and agile methodologies is essential, with certifications in relevant technologies being advantageous. Strong problem-solving, adaptability, and effective communication skills help you navigate the dynamic startup environment and mentor junior team members. These skills are crucial to rapidly building scalable solutions, driving innovation, and supporting business growth in a fast-paced and often ambiguous setting.

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

AspectSenior Software Engineer StartupSoftware Engineer Startup
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS or related field, 3+ years experienceBachelor's in CS or related field, 0-2 years experience
Work EnvironmentFast-paced startup, leadership responsibilities, mentorshipCollaborative team, learning-focused, entry-level to mid-level tasks
Employer & Industry UsageTech startups, scale-ups, innovative projectsEarly-stage startups, product development teams
Common Search & ComparisonHigher responsibility, technical expertise, leadershipLearning opportunities, foundational skills, growth potential

The main difference between a Senior Software Engineer Startup and a Software Engineer Startup lies in experience, responsibilities, and leadership. Senior Software Engineers typically have more experience, take on mentorship roles, and handle complex projects, while Software Engineers are often in entry to mid-level positions focused on skill development and supporting team tasks.

What does a Senior Software Engineer do at a startup?

A Senior Software Engineer at a startup is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining the core software products or services. They often take on a broad range of tasks, including coding, code reviews, system architecture, and mentoring junior team members. In a startup environment, they may also contribute to product decisions, help set technical direction, and quickly adapt to changing priorities. Their role is critical in building scalable, reliable solutions while fostering innovation and collaboration within a small, fast-paced team.

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

Senior software engineers at startups can potentially earn $500,000 annually through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and equity, especially in high-growth companies or with significant stock options. Achieving this level often requires extensive experience, specialized skills, and working in competitive markets or successful startups with lucrative equity packages.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior Software Engineers at successful startups or large tech companies can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. High compensation typically requires extensive experience, specialized skills, and equity participation in the company.
What are the most commonly searched types of Software Engineer Startup jobs in California? The most popular types of Software Engineer Startup jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Software Engineer Startup jobs in California? For Senior Software Engineer Startup jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Software Engineer Startup jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Software Engineer Startup jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Senior Software Engineer Startup jobs? Cities in California with the most Senior Software Engineer Startup job openings:
Senior Software Engineer Startup jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Software Engineer Startup job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution.

Senior Software Engineer

Oscar Technology

San Jose, CA • On-site

$250K - $300K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 5 days ago

Job description


Title: Senior Software Engineer

Location: San Jose, CA

Salary: $250k - $300K
















An AI startup is hiring a Senior Software Engineer to join its early engineering team and help build the next generation of AI-powered products. Backed by early-stage funding and experiencing strong customer traction, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact while helping shape the technical direction of a rapidly growing company. You'll work alongside a small, high-impact team, take ownership of core product initiatives, and play a key role in scaling the platform as the company grows.


In this role, you will build and scale backend systems that support AI-powered applications, develop new product features end-to-end, and help design the infrastructure needed to support future growth. You'll work in a fast-paced startup environment where you'll wear multiple hats, solve complex engineering challenges, and have significant ownership over the product. This role is open to candidates from Python software engineering, AI engineering, or machine learning engineering backgrounds who are excited about building impactful products in an early-stage startup.









Experience:



  • 2+ years of experience in Software Engineering and/or Machine Learning

  • Strong Python experience building production-grade applications and backend systems

  • Exposure to AI/LLM technologies or machine learning workflows

  • Experience working in startup environments with a high degree of ownership and autonomy

  • Strong coding skills with the ability to build scalable, maintainable systems


Benefits:



  • Strong pre-seed equity

  • Medical, Dental, Vision

  • Free lunch

  • Commuter stipend

  • Opportunity to make an impact at a fast-growing startup









Oscar Associates Limited (US) is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

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