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Software Development Engineer Sde Jobs in California

Software Development Engineer (SDE)

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$126.80K - $220.90K/yr

Software Development Engineer (SDE) Work Locations (2) Submit Resume The Software Platform team within Hardware Test Engineering (HWTE) is seeking a Software Design Engineer to design and develop ...

Software Development Engineer (SDE)

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$126.80K - $220.90K/yr

The Software Platform team within Hardware Test Engineering (HWTE) is seeking a Software Design ... development Knowledge of image processing and algorithm design Understanding of DSP Up to 10% ...

The Software Platform team within Hardware Test Engineering (HWTE) is seeking a Software Design Engineer to design and develop software for Apple's new product introductions (NPI). This engineer will ...

Software Development Engineer (SDE)

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$126.80K - $220.90K/yr

The Software Platform team within Hardware Test Engineering (HWTE) is seeking a Software Design ... development Knowledge of image processing and algorithm design Understanding of DSP Up to 10% ...

Senior Software Engineer, Enterprise Platform

Irvine, CA · On-site

$131.50K - $173.40K/yr

About the Role Twitch's Enterprise Platform & Technology (EPT) organization is looking for a Senior Software Development Engineer (SDE 3) to architect, build, and operate software systems that power ...

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Showing results 1-20

Software Development Engineer Sde information

See California salary details

$62.7K

$145.6K

$202.8K

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

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for software development engineer sde in California is $145,592.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,400.00 and $170,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Software Development Engineer (SDE), and why are they important?

To thrive as a Software Development Engineer (SDE), you need strong programming skills, a solid understanding of computer science fundamentals, and typically a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with development tools, version control systems like Git, and experience with languages such as Java, Python, or C++ are essential, and certifications in cloud computing or relevant frameworks can be advantageous. Problem-solving ability, effective communication, and teamwork are crucial soft skills that help SDEs collaborate and innovate. These competencies enable SDEs to build reliable software solutions, adapt to evolving technologies, and contribute effectively within technical teams.

What are some common challenges faced by Software Development Engineers (SDEs) when working in cross-functional teams?

Software Development Engineers (SDEs) often collaborate closely with product managers, designers, QA testers, and other engineers. A common challenge is ensuring clear and consistent communication across disciplines, as each team may have different priorities or technical understanding. SDEs must balance writing clean, maintainable code with adapting to shifting project requirements and tight deadlines. Developing strong collaboration skills and staying adaptable are key to navigating these challenges and delivering successful products.

What are Software Development Engineers (SDE)?

Software Development Engineers (SDEs) are professionals who design, develop, test, and maintain software applications or systems. They work with programming languages, frameworks, and tools to build software solutions that meet user and business requirements. SDEs often participate in the full software development lifecycle, from concept to deployment and ongoing support. Their responsibilities may also include troubleshooting issues, improving performance, and collaborating with other team members such as product managers and designers.

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

AspectSoftware Development Engineer (SDE)Software Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in CS or related field, coding skillsBachelor's in CS or related field, coding skills
Work EnvironmentTech companies, startups, large corporationsTech companies, startups, large corporations
Industry UsageCommon in tech industry, especially in North AmericaWidely used term, often interchangeable with SDE

Both roles typically require similar educational backgrounds and technical skills. The term 'Software Development Engineer' is often used in North American companies, while 'Software Engineer' is more universal. In practice, these titles usually refer to similar responsibilities involving software design, coding, and testing.

What job categories do people searching Software Development Engineer Sde jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Software Development Engineer Sde jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Software Development Engineer Sde jobs? Cities in California with the most Software Development Engineer Sde job openings:
Software Development Engineer (SDE)

Software Development Engineer (SDE)

Apple

Cupertino, CA • On-site

$126.80K - $220.90K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Retirement

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Apple rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 661 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 30 rated technology retailers


Job description

Software Development Engineer (SDE)

Work Locations (2) Submit Resume

The Software Platform team within Hardware Test Engineering (HWTE) is seeking a Software Design Engineer to design and develop software for Apple's new product introductions (NPI). This engineer will collaborate closely with other HWTE Software Platform team members and cross-functional teams to ensure the success of current and future Apple products. The HWTE Software Platform team owns various projects, including tools for enabling calibration and testing of NPI products, systems that restore software on each device shipped to customers, and algorithms for image processing for product calibration and testing.

As part of the Software Platform team, you will be responsible for writing and designing software tools used by algorithm developers and factory station software engineers responsible for implementing test sequences for testing hardware in the factory. You will work closely with system design leads to understand the software needs for factory test stations and develop software solutions and plugins for instruments used on the station to enable hardware testing of Apple products. Additionally, you will be involved in taking the existing implementation of the algorithm in C++ and writing unit tests using XCTest in Xcode. You will also write smoke and regression tests using your knowledge of Lua and Python. You will collaborate closely with algorithm developers to identify parts of the code that require stress testing and apply various methodologies, such as performance testing, integration testing, and fuzz testing. Furthermore, you will leverage machine learning and LLMs to automatically generate tests for complex parts of the software, ensuring robust coverage based on analysis.

Responsibilities
  • Designing new software systems and maintaining existing software systems.
  • Triaging and diagnosing issues with a cross-functional team from diverse engineering backgrounds.
  • Working with internal teams at Apple and external vendors to develop better solutions and processes.
  • Collaborating with algorithm developers to support the implementation of new tests.
  • Setting up automated testing for continuous integration using the existing internal infrastructure.
  • Hosting and migrating algorithm pipelines on the continuous integration platform.
  • Debugging build failures in CI/CT (Continuous Integration / Continuous Test)
  • Adding new features to the test framework to handle new use cases.
Minimum Qualifications
  • BS in Computer Science or equivalent experience
  • Strong command of C/C++ and an object-oriented language
  • Experience with white box testing
  • Experience with Xcode and macOS
  • Experience with Lua and Python development
  • Knowledge of image processing and algorithm design
  • Understanding of DSP
  • Up to 10% international travel
Preferred Qualifications
  • MS in Computer Science or equivalent experience
  • Experience with machine learning and LLMs
  • Experience with performance analysis, stress tests, and scalability assessments
  • Experience with telemetry, critical metrics, and data-driven decision-making
  • Experience crafting tests with complex systems and quickly evolving test environments

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $126,800 and $220,900, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.


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About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976