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Software Engineer Startup Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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

... the software and hardware level, cloud infrastructure, and product roadmap. You will also work ... If you have experience building a strong engineering culture at an early-stage startup, we'd love ...

We're not just another composites shop-we're a technology-first manufacturing startup building the ... We are looking for highly motivated Software Engineers to join our team as key members of our ...

Software Engineer

Huntington Beach, CA ยท On-site

$130K - $200K/yr

We're not just another composites shop-we're a technology-first manufacturing startup building the ... We are looking for highly motivated Software Engineers to join our team as key members of our ...

We're not just another composites shop--we're a technology-first manufacturing startup building the ... We are looking for highly motivated Software Engineers to join our team as key members of our ...

... rapidly-growing startup, bringing the most innovative tech to the HVAC industry. Key ... Previous experience in software development, computer engineering, or other related fields

A venture-backed startup is looking for a Founding Full-Stack Software Engineer to join its early team and help build the core product from the ground up. The company is developing a next-generation ...

Software Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$125K - $222K/yr

Meet our software engineers! Meet some of our software engineers who are shaping the future of ... startup veterans * Carve out your own area of expertise and influence product decisions

As a Full Stack Senior Software Engineer on ArsenalOS you will be architecting and implementing ... Experience in hyper growth startup-like environments, with demonstrated successes in scaling and ...

This is an impactful role within a fast-paced startup. The ideal candidate is someone who has ... Software Engineer * Proficiency with TypeScript and with JavaScript frameworks like React, Vue ...

This is an impactful role within a fast-paced startup. The ideal candidate is someone who has ... Software Engineer * Proficiency with TypeScript and with JavaScript frameworks like React, Vue ...

Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

This is an impactful role within a fast-paced startup. The ideal candidate is someone who has ... Software Engineer * Proficiency with TypeScript and with JavaScript frameworks like React, Vue ...

What we are Looking For * 3+ Years of Software Engineering experience graduated from top-tier CS ... Experience as an early engineer at a hyper-growth startup.

We are seeking a Software Engineer to work on unique and challenging problems across a broad ... Description Overview Join our growing startup in a role that blends cutting edge biotech with the ...

Senior Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$144K - $190K/yr

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

What we are Looking For * 3+ Years of Software Engineering experience graduated from top-tier CS ... Experience as an early engineer at a hyper-growth startup.

Senior Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$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 ...

Senior Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$144K - $190K/yr

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

As an AI/ML Software Engineer Intern, you will define and implement the AI/ML infrastructure ... This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a rapidly growing domain within a fast-moving startup.

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Showing results 1-20

Software Engineer Startup information

See California salary details

$62.7K

$145.6K

$202.8K

How much do software engineer startup jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for software engineer startup 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 in the Software Engineer Startup position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Software Engineer in a startup environment, you need solid programming skills, a problem-solving mindset, and a degree in computer science or related experience. Familiarity with agile methodologies, cloud platforms, version control (like Git), and rapid prototyping tools is highly valued, and startup engineers may also benefit from exposure to full-stack development. Adaptability, effective communication, and the ability to work independently in uncertain environments are standout soft skills. These competencies enable engineers to rapidly iterate on products, effectively collaborate across small teams, and contribute to the dynamic demands of a growing company.

What is a Software Engineer Startup job?

A Software Engineer Startup job involves developing, testing, and maintaining software in a fast-paced, early-stage company. Engineers in startups often wear multiple hats, working on both backend and frontend development, infrastructure, and sometimes even product decisions. The role requires adaptability, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work with limited resources. Unlike larger companies, startup engineers may need to prototype quickly, iterate based on user feedback, and contribute to the overall growth strategy. This position is ideal for those who enjoy dynamic environments and taking ownership of projects.

What can I expect from the daily work environment as a Software Engineer at a startup?

Working as a Software Engineer at a startup typically means you'll be part of a small, agile team where roles and responsibilities can shift quickly based on company needs. You'll often participate in daily stand-ups, collaborate closely with founders or product leads, and have the opportunity to contribute ideas beyond your core coding tasks. The pace is usually fast, and you'll likely wear multiple hats, working on everything from prototyping new features to troubleshooting production issues. This hands-on, collaborative atmosphere provides excellent opportunities for skill growth, creative problem-solving, and making a visible impact on the company's direction.

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 Software Engineer Startup jobs in California? For Software Engineer Startup jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in California are hiring for Software Engineer Startup jobs? Cities in California with the most Software Engineer Startup job openings:
Infographic showing various Software Engineer Startup job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,592 per year, or $70 per hour.
Founding Software Engineer

Founding Software Engineer

Strategic Employment

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted yesterday


Job description

An innovative startup is hiring for a Founding Software Engineer to join their small but growing team on-site in downtown San Francisco. This SaaS company has grown from 1 to 70+ clients in the last 12 months. This is a key hire that will utilize TypeScript on the backend to develop REST APIs that power the backend of their core platform. They've built an application that is disrupting the insurtech space in the same way Plaid did to the digital finance and banking domain. This is an excellent opportunity to take ownership of greenfield development on the ground floor.ย 

Required:ย 

  • 4+ years of professional experience in server side development (ideally TypeScript, Node, Next, Nest etc.)
  • Experience working within a live cloud production environment (AWS, GCP, Azure)
  • Startup experience or experience as an early engineering hire
  • Entrepreneurial mindset and willingness to join an early stage startup working on a small team of six engineersย 

Nice to have:ย 

  • Experience with one or more open-source language such as Golang, Python, Ruby on Rails, Rust or similar
  • Previous experience in the insurance domain
  • Expert knowledge working with TypeScript
  • Systems Design expertise
  • Past experience as a founding engineer

Benefits:ย 

  • Health, Dental, Vision
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Unlimited PTO
  • Generous equity component (0.35-0.7%)

Strategic Employment Partners logo

About Strategic Employment Partners

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Strategic Employment Partners (SEP) was founded in 2007, serving companies in the Greater Los Angeles area by providing Technology Recruiting and Placement Services. With the combined experience of our seasoned professionals, SEP quickly began to build strong partnerships and provide curated talent for some of the largest and fastest growing companies in Los Angeles. Since then, SEP has expanded its operations and currently has eight divisions nationwide.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2006

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