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Startup Software Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Opsin

Software Engineer

San Jose, CA

Software Engineer We're looking for a Software Engineer with a strong growth mindset and high ... Readiness to work independently in a startup environment * Ability to navigate ambiguity and solve ...

Beacon Software

Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

... startup or high-growth environment. * Strong foundation in software engineering best practices ... Experience with cloud infrastructure and modern DevOps practices. * Comfort working across diverse ...

bluelibris

SW Developer

Menlo Park, CA

... software or hardware engineer who can handle challenging problems in short time and deliver results without guidance. This is an opportunity for you to experience first hand how a startup is run and ...

Brevian.ai

Software Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

Software Engineer BREV/AN is at the forefront of revolutionizing how businesses leverage artificial ... You get to experience the 0-1 of building a startup, working with talented engineers from ...

Clera

Founding Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$130K - $200K/yr

About the Role A well-funded, seed-stage B2B SaaS startup in the supply chain integrations space is looking for a Founding Software Engineer to help shape the architecture, culture, and product ...

Clera

Founding Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$130K - $200K/yr

About the Role A well-funded, seed-stage B2B SaaS startup in the supply chain integrations space is looking for a Founding Software Engineer to help shape the architecture, culture, and product ...

Workhelix

Software Engineer (DevOps)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$170K - $220K/yr

The ideal candidate thrives in startup environments - solving problems pragmatically, balancing ... DevOps and deployment practices. Qualifications Required * 5+ years of professional software ...

Nirmata

AI Software Engineer Intern

San Jose, CA

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.

SkyGig

ML Software Engineer Intern

San Jose, CA · On-site

As a ML Software Engineering Intern, you'll work alongside experienced hardware engineers to build ... They should also be excited to adapt, learn quickly, and grow in a fast-paced startup environment.

SkyGig

ML Software Engineer Intern

San Jose, CA

As a ML Software Engineering Intern, you'll work alongside experienced hardware engineers to build ... They should also be excited to adapt, learn quickly, and grow in a fast-paced startup environment.

Epsilon3

Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

$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 ...

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All JobsStartup Software Developer JobsStartup Software Developer Jobs in California

Startup Software Developer information

See California salary details

$47.4K

$110.4K

$163.8K

How much do startup software developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for startup software developer in California is $110,380.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,800.00 and $128,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Startup Software Developer do?

A Startup Software Developer is responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software applications in a fast-paced startup environment. Their work often involves working closely with founders and small teams to build products from the ground up, rapidly iterating based on user feedback. They may handle a variety of tasks beyond coding, such as participating in product discussions, troubleshooting issues, and sometimes even contributing to deployment and infrastructure decisions. Flexibility, adaptability, and a willingness to learn new technologies are crucial in this role. The job often requires balancing speed with quality while adapting to the evolving needs of the startup.

What are some unique challenges faced by software developers working at startups compared to larger companies?

Startup software developers often encounter a fast-paced and dynamic work environment where priorities can shift rapidly as the business evolves. Unlike larger companies with well-defined processes and teams, startup developers may need to wear multiple hats, handle a broader range of tasks, and take full ownership of projects from ideation to deployment. This can be both challenging and rewarding, as it requires adaptability, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently while collaborating closely with a small, cross-functional team. The learning curve can be steep, but it offers excellent opportunities for growth and making a visible impact.

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

To thrive as a Startup Software Developer, you need strong programming skills, experience with full-stack development, and a solid understanding of software engineering principles, usually supported by a degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with agile project management tools, version control systems like Git, and modern frameworks such as React or Node.js is highly valued. Adaptability, creativity, and effective communication are essential soft skills for navigating rapidly changing requirements and collaborating in small, dynamic teams. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering innovative solutions quickly and driving success in the fast-paced startup environment.

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

AspectStartup Software DeveloperSoftware Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in CS or related fieldUsually requires a bachelor's or higher in CS or related field
Work EnvironmentFast-paced, dynamic startup settingVaries from corporate to tech firms, often structured
Industry UsageCommon in startups and small tech companiesWidespread across industries and company sizes
Job FocusBuilding new products, rapid development, versatile rolesDesigning, developing, testing software systems

Startup Software Developers and Software Engineers share similar educational backgrounds and work in tech environments, but Startup Software Developers often work in fast-paced, flexible roles focused on building new products in startup settings. Software Engineers may work in more structured environments with broader industry applications.

What are the most commonly searched types of Startup Software Developer jobs in California? The most popular types of Startup Software Developer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Startup Software Developer jobs in California? For Startup Software Developer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Startup Software Developer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Startup Software Developer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Startup Software Developer jobs? Cities in California with the most Startup Software Developer job openings:
Startup Software Developer jobs near you

Software Engineer

Opsin

San Jose, CA

Other

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

Software Engineer

We're looking for a Software Engineer with a strong growth mindset and high potential to help build and scale our product as we roll it out to early customers and beyond. You'll play a broad role in contributing to our AI-driven security platform, designing features, and bringing new ideas to the team as we learn together. You will collaborate closely with the founders and product team.

Your Experience & Skills
  • 2+ years in a core software engineering team, shipping production software
  • Readiness to work independently in a startup environment
  • Ability to navigate ambiguity and solve complex technical challenges collaboratively
  • Solid backend and cloud engineering fundamentals
  • Familiarity with AI driven products and engineering
  • (Desirable) Experience building enterprise data-driven services
  • (Desirable) Experience with Python, SQL, cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP, Azure)
  • (Desirable) Experience in cybersecurity, data security, and allied domains
Mindset & Fit
  • Collaborative — thrives in a fast-paced startup environment
  • Strong opinions, loosely held — willing to debate, iterate, and adjust
  • Bias for action — prioritizes, ships fast, and avoids over-engineering
  • Passionate about AI and cybersecurity
  • Desire to have impact on all aspects of the company's success
Why Join Us?
  • Early impact: Help shape a category-defining product in GenAI security
  • Growth & ownership: Work directly with founders and tech leads to drive innovation
  • Cutting-edge tech: Build with LLMs, AI security, and enterprise AI adoption strategies
About Opsin

Opsin is a venture-backed GenAI security company, funded by top-tier investors including Race Capital. We empower enterprises to safely adopt GenAI solutions like Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and other LLM-powered agents by monitoring and securing enterprise data access. Our platform ensures employees can leverage AI without exposing sensitive or over-permissioned information.

Employment Type Full-Time Compensation Competitive salary, benefits, and equity Location San Jose, CA / SF Bay Area (hybrid). The team works together in person 2–3 days a week at our locations in downtown San Jose and San Ramon. In-person collaboration is key for this position.

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