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Software Reverse Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Astera

Senior Software Engineer

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$100K - $400K/yr

Position Summary We are looking for an ambitious Senior Software Engineer to help us reverse-engineer the human brain. This role spans a broad spectrum of activities: * Architect high-performance ...

Archer

VMS Software Engineer

San Jose, CA

$142.80K - $220.60K/yr

You aren't afraid to reverse-engineer a protocol or write a custom driver if the standard one fails ... Design software with a safety-first mindset. You anticipate edge cases and write defensive code ...

Astera

Principal Software Engineer

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$300K - $600K/yr

Position Summary We are looking for an ambitious Staff Software Engineer to help us reverse-engineer the human brain. This role spans a broad spectrum of activities: * Define and architect high ...

Revel

Embedded Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

$141.70K - $186.40K/yr

Our next-generation software stack combines an intuitive command/control interface, a specialized ... Reverse-engineer "black box" hardware behavior when vendor documentation falls short, treating ...

Twilio

Senior Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA

$144.10K - $190K/yr

About the job As a Senior Software Engineer you will help develop Stytch's fraud detection and ... Experience with reverse engineering and/or reverse engineering detection and prevention such as ...

Qualcomm

QGOV Security Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$134.80K - $202.20K/yr

QGOV Software Engineer with a focus on software security. A candidate will work with established ... based reverse engineering • Experience in identification and remediation of security ...

Qualcomm

QGOV Security Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$111.30K - $166.90K/yr

QGOV Software Engineer with a focus on software security. A candidate will work with established ... based reverse engineering • Experience in identification and remediation of security ...

Archer

VMS Software Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$142.80K - $220.60K/yr

You aren't afraid to reverse-engineer a protocol or write a custom driver if the standard one fails ... Design software with a safety-first mindset. You anticipate edge cases and write defensive code ...

Etleap, Inc.

Software Engineer - Integrations

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$122.30K - $164.60K/yr

Be part of the team that is building the next generation of ETL software * Build fast, scalable ... You find reverse-engineering systems interesting * Coding in Java is second nature to you * You're ...

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How much do software reverse engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of May 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for software reverse engineer in California is $90.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83.27 and $97.02 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Software Reverse Engineer job?

A Software Reverse Engineer analyzes software to understand its design, functionality, and security vulnerabilities. This role often involves decompiling code, identifying weaknesses, and improving software security. Reverse engineers work in cybersecurity, malware analysis, and software compatibility. They use tools like disassemblers, debuggers, and decompilers to inspect software behavior. This field requires strong programming skills and knowledge of operating systems and architectures.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Software Reverse Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Software Reverse Engineer, you need strong proficiency in programming languages (such as C/C++ and Assembly), deep understanding of operating systems, and expertise in reverse engineering methodologies—often supported by a degree in computer science or related experience. Familiarity with disassemblers, debuggers, decompilers (like IDA Pro, Ghidra, OllyDbg), and relevant certifications such as OSCP or CEH is highly valued. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and excellent problem-solving skills set top candidates apart. These abilities are critical for dissecting complex binaries, uncovering vulnerabilities, and ensuring effective collaboration while adhering to legal and ethical guidelines.

What does a typical workday look like for a Software Reverse Engineer?

As a Software Reverse Engineer, your day often involves analyzing compiled code, identifying program structures, and uncovering hidden functionalities or vulnerabilities within software applications. You may spend significant time using tools like disassemblers and debuggers to inspect binaries, document findings, and collaborate closely with security analysts, developers, or legal teams. Problem-solving and attention to detail are essential, as projects often involve working with both legacy and modern systems. While much of the work is independent, frequent communication with team members is required to share insights and develop effective remediation strategies.
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What are popular job titles related to Software Reverse Engineer jobs in CA? For Software Reverse Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Software Reverse Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Software Reverse Engineer job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $187,511 per year, or $90.1 per hour.

Senior Software Engineer

Astera

Emeryville, CA • On-site

$100K - $400K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

Job description

About Astera
Astera is a private foundation on a mission to steer science and technology toward an abundant future. We believe the coming years will bring an era of unprecedented scientific and technological advancement as exponential progress in AI converges with central advances in other fields to dramatically accelerate innovation. This inflection point provides an unparalleled opportunity to fundamentally rethink the institutions, systems, and tools that drive scientific progress.
Unlike traditional non-profit research organizations, Astera funds and operates projects like high-velocity startups, allowing us to focus on ambitious goals, match structure to problem, and attract strong technical talent and leadership. You can read more about our mission, vision, and programming here.
Position Summary
We are looking for an ambitious Senior Software Engineer to help us reverse-engineer the human brain.
This role spans a broad spectrum of activities:
  • Architect high-performance infrastructure for training large-scale models and running complex simulations.
  • Design and optimize custom RL environments informed by neuroscience.
  • Write clean, fast, production-grade code that boosts our research velocity.
  • Turn research prototypes into scalable production systems.
  • Tackle any technical bottleneck, from low-level optimization to high-level system design, to unblock the research team.

Qualifications
  • High-Velocity Craftsmanship: You produce clean, maintainable, and well-tested code at a startup pace. You know how to balance engineering rigor with the need to iterate quickly on research prototypes.
  • System Architecture Intuition: You have deep experience architecting complex systems from scratch. You understand the trade-offs, and you can design infrastructure that survives the chaos of research.
  • Extreme Adaptability: You might be an expert in distributed systems today, but you are ready to become a novice in neuroscience tomorrow. You have a track record of diving into complex domains and mastering them quickly.
  • Mastery of Hard Problems: You have a track record of tackling difficult engineering challenges, whether it is massive scale distributed systems or low-level optimization. You do not shy away from what your peers consider hardcore.

Location & Visa
  • This role is in-person in Emeryville, CA.
  • Visa sponsorship may be available for qualified candidates.

Apply