1

Senior Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Software Engineer - SOC

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

Job Title: Sr. Software Engineer - SOC (318578) Job Location: San Jose, CA (100% remote for now but need to be onsite as soon as campus opens) Duration: 6+ months contract Client: Samsung Description:

Senior Software Engineer

Temecula, CA ยท On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

Senior Software Engineer / Technical Leader (Individual Contributor) Core Technologies: C/C++, Cryptography, Python, Linux/POSIX, Systems Programming Focus Areas: Secure software, cryptographic ...

Sr. Software Engineer

Fontana, CA ยท On-site

$124K - $164K/yr

The Sr. Software Engineer will approach business problems with a mindset balancing delivery of objectives with the non-functional requirements of the overall platform. Primarily the Sr. Software ...

Sr. Software Engineer

Fontana, CA ยท On-site

$115 - $135/hr

The Sr. Software Engineer will approach business problems with a mindset balancing delivery of objectives with the non-functional requirements of the overall platform. Primarily the Sr. Software ...

Sr. Software Engineer

Fontana, CA ยท On-site

$124K - $164K/yr

The Sr. Software Engineer will approach business problems with a mindset balancing delivery of objectives with the non-functional requirements of the overall platform. Primarily the Sr. Software ...

Sr. Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$132K - $174K/yr

The Senior Software Engineer is accountable for the development, quality assurance, implementation, and maintenance of solutions components that fulfill prioritized business use cases. This role ...

Senior Software Engineer

Gardena, CA

$124K - $164K/yr

The Senior Software Engineer designs and delivers features and services using Microsoft technologies, work with software engineers and product team, and contributes to architectural decisions. This ...

Senior Software Engineer

El Segundo, CA ยท On-site +1

$184K/yr

The Sr. Software Engineer provides software development to design and deployment of NEOGOV's Microsoft ASP.NET based software applications solutions within web-based SaaS product suite. What You Will ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Senior Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$74.5K

$141.4K

$189.5K

How much do senior software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior software 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 engineer?

A senior software engineer designs, codes, tests, and maintains computer software. While these are your primary responsibilities as a senior software engineer, you may also have supervisory duties. These include overseeing a team of junior software engineers or developers. The senior software engineer title is sometimes used interchangeably with senior developer, and positions for both may share similar job duties and responsibilities. In general, software engineers are distinguished from developers in that software engineers apply engineering principles to software development.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior software engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Software Engineer, you need advanced programming skills, deep understanding of software architecture, and several years of experience in software development, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with tools like Git, CI/CD pipelines, cloud platforms, and expertise in technologies such as Java, Python, or JavaScript are typically required. Leadership, problem-solving, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for mentoring teams and collaborating across departments. These skills ensure the delivery of robust, scalable solutions and drive successful project outcomes in complex technical environments.

What are some common challenges senior software engineers face when mentoring junior team members?

Senior Software Engineers often mentor junior colleagues, which can be incredibly rewarding but also presents challenges. Balancing mentorship with project deadlines can be demanding, as it requires strong time management and communication skills. Additionally, adapting explanations to different learning styles and levels of experience can be tricky. However, effective mentorship helps build a stronger team and can lead to enhanced leadership opportunities for the senior engineer.

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

AspectSenior Software EngineerSoftware Developer
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in CS or related field; experience often 5+ yearsBachelor's in CS or related field; entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentDesigning complex systems, leading projects, mentoringWriting code, developing features, debugging
Industry UsageUsed across tech companies, startups, enterpriseCommon in software firms, startups, freelance work
Search & ComparisonOften compared for experience level, responsibilitiesCompared for entry-level to mid-level roles

The main difference between a Senior Software Engineer and a Software Developer lies in experience, responsibilities, and scope. Senior Software Engineers typically have more experience, lead projects, and mentor others, while Software Developers focus on coding and feature development. Both roles are essential in tech companies, but the Senior Software Engineer position involves higher-level planning and leadership.

What does a senior software engineer do?

A senior software engineer designs, develops, and maintains software applications, often leading projects and mentoring junior team members. They analyze requirements, write code, perform testing, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality and efficiency. Proficiency in programming languages, problem-solving skills, and experience with development tools are essential for this role.

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

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

What job categories do people searching Senior Software Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Software Engineer jobs in California are:

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

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

Infographic showing various Senior Software Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Contract. Highlights an 33% In-person, 34% Hybrid, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $141,415 per year, or $68 per hour.

Sr. Software Engineer

Lynx Software Technologies, Inc.

Sunnyvale, CA โ€ข On-site

$150 - $200/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Sr. Software Engineer

Lynx Software Technologies, Inc. Sunnyvale, California, United States

About this position

Job Title : Sr. Software Engineer

Location: Onsite - Sunnyvale, CA.

Compensation: $150,000 - $200,000 + Bonus Eligible

Security Clearance: Active Secret Clearance Required

This position requires full time onsite in Sunnyvale, CA.

Who we are: Lynx delivers modular, open standardsโ€“based software that transforms how high-assurance, missionโ€‘critical edge systems are built, deployed, and maintained. Our secure edge computing solutions enable innovation and operational excellence in the worldโ€™s most demanding environments, from aerospace and defense to commercial and industrial systems. We partner across industries including automotive, medical, and critical infrastructure to deliver tailored solutions aligned with each customerโ€™s mission and operational requirements.Our key products and services are:

  • MOSA.ic: LYNXMOSA.icโ„ขis a modular software framework and architecture purpose-built for mission-critical edge computing. Based on theModular Open Systems Approach (MOSA),it provides a flexible foundation for buildingsecure, scalable, and certifiable edgesystems.
  • LYNX MOSA.ic.AI : LYNX MOSA.ic.AI is a unified CPU and GPU software platform that enables deterministic, certifiable deployment of AI and advanced workloads in mission-critical edge systems. It brings control, performance, and lifecycle governance together, allowing AI tooperatepredictably within safety-critical environments without compromising certification or system integrity.
  • CoreSuite2.0 : CoreSuite2.0 is Lynxโ€™s safety-criticalGPU for graphics enablement framework designed for mission-critical edge computing systems.It provides hardware-accelerated graphics, visualization, and video processing capabilities that can be certified for high-assurance systems.
  • Services : Lynx Services is Lynxโ€™s professional services organization that helps customers design, integrate, certify, deploy, andmaintainsafety- and security-critical systems. It supports industries like aerospace, defense, automotive, and industrial computing through consulting, engineering, integration, and lifecycle support,reducing development risk and accelerating certification in standards-driven, mission-critical environment.

Company Overview

Founded in 2004 with locations in Atlanta, GA, Fort Worth, TX, Denver, CO, & Huntsville, AL, Thompson Software Solutions (TSS) is a mission-driven aerospace and defense software and systems engineering company supporting the U.S. military, defense primes, and commercial space partners. We specialize in the development, integration, test, and deployment of safety & mission-critical software systems that power next-generation aircraft, defense platforms, and space technologies. Our team understands what it takes to modernize complex embedded systems while maintaining the rigor, compliance, and reliability required for mission and safety-critical environments.

As a defense-focused company of highly skilled and dedicated engineers, we take pride in solving complex technical challenges that directly impact national security and operational readiness. We partner closely with customers across the military aviation and space domains to deliver resilient, future-ready solutions with portability, sustainability, and long-term mission success in mind.

Description

Thompson Software Solutions is seeking a senior-level Sr Software Engineer who is ready to work with a talented team to provide innovative solutions for tomorrowโ€™s problems. This position requires a software engineer to use a wide application of technical principles, theories, and concepts in the software field to develop, integrate, and test software products. The successful candidate will be a member of a high-performing multi-site team and must be self-motivated with a strong work ethic, time-management, and interpersonal skills. In this role, you will work independently at times on projects, at other times will be in a collaborative team environment with other software engineers, as well as other program development and deployment teams.

Selected applicants will be subjected to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information and must maintain eligibility for continued access to classified information throughout their employment as required by the job.

Basic Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in STEM discipline
  • 5+ years of C/C++ software Development experience
  • Experience with Digital Simulation Development and integration
  • Experience with Embedded Software Development
  • Experience with I&T integration and testing.
  • Experience with GITLAB.
  • Experience with Full Software Development Cycle
  • Experience with (FSW) Flight software engineering
  • Proficient with Linux and Windows development environments
  • Experience with compilers, debuggers, static analysis tools, and dynamics analysis tool
  • Ability to professionally communicate project status and collaborate on technical solutions with clients and peers
  • Active Secret Clearance required
  • Ability to work onsite 100%
  • Perform additional job duties as assigned.

Preferred / Additional Skills

  • Proficient with Atlassian Tools (Confluence, JIRA, Bitbucket, etc.)
  • Familiarity with Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE) concepts and tools (Cameo, AADL)
  • Experience with Navigation, Guidance and Control Implementation
  • Experience with Signal Processing Implementation
  • Experience developing Embedded Flight Software
  • Experience communicating and documenting complex technical designs
  • Ability to work in a collaborative and team-based environment
  • Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills

Sound Exciting? Get in touch today! We have very robust benefits including:

  • Low-cost Medical / Dental / Vision coverage options
  • 401K with generous employer match
  • Responsible Paid Time Off + Paid Holidays
  • Remote work opportunities based on role
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Career growth and professional development opportunities

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

#J-18808-Ljbffr