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Software System Architect Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Aziro Technologies LLC

System Architect

San Jose, CA · On-site

$284K/yr

System Architect Location: San Jose, CA Duration: Full-time Department: Architect Come and work in ... Develop innovative platform, hardware, software level specifications * Work with industry ...

onsemi

System Architect

San Jose, CA · On-site

$285K/yr

System Architect - Power electronics for High Voltage Systems Location: Candidates based in San ... This includes cross-functional collaboration across hardware, software, and systems engineering ...

Kandou Bus

System Architect

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$287K/yr

... software, SI/PI, manufacturing, qualification, and customer engineering teams execute against ... Prior System Architect, Chief Architect, or Principal Systems Engineer role on a shipping 100G/lane ...

Kandou Bus

System Architect

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$287K/yr

... software, SI/PI, manufacturing, qualification, and customer engineering teams execute against ... Prior System Architect, Chief Architect, or Principal Systems Engineer role on a shipping 100G/lane ...

Voltai

System Architect

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$285K/yr

SoC or system architecture and performance modeling ... Hardware/software co-design and cross-layer optimization * Interface definition , memory hierarchy ...

Voltai, Inc

System Architect

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$285K/yr

SoC or system architecture and performance modeling ... Hardware/software co-design and cross-layer optimization * Interface definition , memory hierarchy ...

Wayve

System Architect - Robotaxi

Sunnyvale, CA · Hybrid

$286K - $344K/yr

You understand how complex products come together across hardware, software, ML, safety, and ... Strong experience in system architecture, systems engineering, or solution architecture for ...

onsemi

System Architect

San Jose, CA · On-site +1

$285K/yr

System Architect - Power electronics for High Voltage Systems Location: Candidates based in San ... This includes cross-functional collaboration across hardware, software, and systems engineering ...

Nvidia

Senior Software and System Architect

Santa Clara, CA · Remote

$152K - $206K/yr

NVIDIA is looking for an experienced Senior Software and System Architect to join our Networking Software Architecture group. Nvidia's Architecture group consists of world-class architects ...

Hark

Operating System Architect

San Jose, CA · On-site

$120K - $300K/yr

You'll be the technical leader responsible for defining how our embedded software stacks are ... Define and evolve the embedded operating system architecture and platform strategy across the ...

Hark

Operating System Architect

San Jose, CA · On-site

$120K - $300K/yr

You'll be the technical leader responsible for defining how our embedded software stacks are ... Define and evolve the embedded operating system architecture and platform strategy across the ...

Heartflow

Staff System Architect

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

$200K - $275K/yr

We are seeking a Staff System Architect who will define and drive system-wide architectural ... Experience as a technical leader in medical device software or other FDA/HIPAA-regulated ...

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Software System Architect information

See California salary details

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How much do software system architect jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for software system architect in California is $70.72, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61.92 and $73.56 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do software architects make?

Software architects typically earn between $100,000 and $160,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior roles with specialized skills or certifications can earn higher salaries, especially in large organizations or tech hubs.

What is the difference between Software System Architect vs Software Developer?

AspectSoftware System ArchitectSoftware Developer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Computer Science, certifications like TOGAF or AWSBachelor's in Computer Science or related field, coding certifications optional
Work EnvironmentDesigning system architecture, collaborating with stakeholders, high-level planningWriting, testing, and maintaining code, implementing features
Industry UsageUsed across tech, finance, healthcare for system designCommon in software companies, startups, tech firms

The Software System Architect focuses on designing overall system structures and ensuring scalability, while the Software Developer implements these designs through coding. Both roles require technical expertise, but the architect has a broader strategic focus, whereas the developer concentrates on building and maintaining software components.

What is a Software System Architect?

A Software System Architect is a professional responsible for designing the overall structure and high-level components of complex software systems. They define the system's architecture, make key technical decisions, and ensure that solutions meet both technical and business requirements. Software System Architects work closely with stakeholders, developers, and other IT professionals to create scalable, reliable, and secure systems. Their role often involves evaluating new technologies, setting standards, and providing technical guidance throughout a project's lifecycle.

What does a software System Architect do?

A Software System Architect designs and oversees the overall structure of software systems, ensuring they meet technical requirements and business goals. They analyze system needs, select appropriate technologies, and create architecture diagrams, often collaborating with development teams. Strong knowledge of software design principles, modeling tools, and experience with system integration are essential for this role.

How does a Software System Architect typically collaborate with development and operations teams during a project?

A Software System Architect works closely with both development and operations teams throughout the lifecycle of a project. They facilitate communication by translating business requirements into technical designs and ensuring all teams understand the system architecture. Architects often lead design reviews, provide technical guidance during implementation, and oversee system integration to ensure alignment with architectural standards. This collaborative approach helps prevent miscommunication, promotes scalability, and ensures that deployment and maintenance processes are efficient and reliable.

Is Software Architect still in demand?

Software Architects are in high demand due to the increasing complexity of software systems and the need for technical leadership. They typically require strong skills in system design, programming, and experience with cloud platforms, making them valuable in many industries seeking scalable and efficient solutions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Software System Architect, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Software System Architect, you need deep expertise in software engineering, systems design, and architectural frameworks, usually supported by a degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with modeling tools (e.g., UML), cloud platforms, and certifications like TOGAF or AWS Certified Solutions Architect are highly valuable. Strong analytical thinking, effective communication, and the ability to collaborate across technical and business teams distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are crucial for designing robust, scalable systems that align with organizational goals and adapt to evolving technology landscapes.

Is Software Architect a high paying job?

Software Architects typically earn high salaries due to their advanced technical skills, experience, and responsibility for designing complex systems. Compensation varies by industry, location, and company size but generally exceeds average software development roles. Certifications and expertise in cloud platforms or enterprise architecture can further increase earning potential.
What are popular job titles related to Software System Architect jobs in CA? For Software System Architect jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Software System Architect jobs near you
Infographic showing various Software System Architect job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,103 per year, or $70.7 per hour.
System Architect

System Architect

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

$200K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Advanced Micro Devices rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

22nd of 139 rated electronics manufacturers

Job description

WHAT YOU DO AT AMD CHANGES EVERYTHING
At AMD, our mission is to build great products that accelerate next-generation computing experiences-from AI and data centers, to PCs, gaming and embedded systems. Grounded in a culture of innovation and collaboration, we believe real progress comes from bold ideas, human ingenuity and a shared passion to create something extraordinary. When you join AMD, you'll discover the real differentiator is our culture. We push the limits of innovation to solve the world's most important challenges-striving for execution excellence, while being direct, humble, collaborative, and inclusive of diverse perspectives. Join us as we shape the future of AI and beyond. Together, we advance your career.
THE ROLE:
We are seeking a hands-on System Architect to lead the end-to-end architecture for our next-generation products. In this role, you will be the technical authority responsible for defining system requirements, architecture, and integration strategies across hardware, firmware, software, and operational aspects. You will ensure that all subsystems work cohesively to achieve functional, performance, security, and reliability goals, while guiding teams on best practices throughout the product lifecycle. The System Architect will collaborate with engineering leads, product managers, operations teams, and customer stakeholders to align technical solutions with business objectives.
THE PERSON:
You are a recognized subject matter expert in system architecture with a track record of influencing technical direction across programs. You bring broad cross-domain experience and strong communication skills to align hardware, firmware, software, mechanical, and manufacturing stakeholders. You are comfortable making pragmatic tradeoffs among performance, cost, schedule and risk, and you mentor engineers on architecture principles, design patterns and system-level thinking. Your decisions are data-driven, and you elevate engineering quality through clear guidance and coaching.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Define and maintain the overall system architecture for complex hardware/software integrated products.
  • Translate product and market requirements into system-level specifications, functional decomposition, and architecture artifacts.
  • Conduct trade-off analyses incorporating performance, scalability, security, reliability, power, thermal, and cost considerations.
  • Select and recommend technologies for processors, memory, storage, networking, management controllers, and other core system elements.
  • Establish and enforce system interface standards and interoperability guidelines.
  • Collaborate with platform architects, chief engineers, and subsystem owners to ensure design consistency and integration quality.
  • Lead architecture reviews and manage cross-domain technical risks.
  • Support engineering teams during design, validation, manufacturing readiness, and deployment phases.
  • Drive alignment with relevant industry standards and protocols.
  • Mentor engineering staff in system-level thinking, architecture methods, and technical decision-making processes.

QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Proven architectural leadership in complex compute or embedded products.
  • Strong understanding of hardware/software co-design, distributed systems integration, and lifecycle engineering.
  • Expertise in multiple relevant domains: compute architecture, networking/interconnect, power and thermal management, system security.
  • Familiarity with industry standards such as PCIe, Ethernet, NVMe, IPMI/Redfish, SMBus/I²C, SPI, and emerging protocols.
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional technical initiatives and resolve integration challenges.
  • Excellent communication skills for interacting with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Experienced in producing architectural documentation, designing diagrams, compiling requirements matrices, and providing technical justifications.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:
  • Experience with high-density servers, telecommunications gear, industrial embedded platforms, or aerospace systems.
  • Knowledge of cyber-security and regulatory compliance for system-level architecture.
  • Exposure to manufacturing processes and field support for large-scale deployments.
  • Capability to work effectively with geographically distributed teams.

ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS:
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related discipline.

Location:
  • Santa Clara, CA
  • Austin, TX
  • Seattle, WA

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
#LI-JE1
Benefits offered are described: AMD benefits at a glance.
AMD does not accept unsolicited resumes from headhunters, recruitment agencies, or fee-based recruitment services. AMD and its subsidiaries are equal opportunity, inclusive employers and will consider all applicants without regard to age, ancestry, color, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, political and/or third-party affiliation, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants' needs under the respective laws throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.
AMD may use Artificial Intelligence to help screen, assess or select applicants for this position. AMD's "Responsible AI Policy" is available here.
This posting is for an existing vacancy.

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