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Tools Programmer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Lemurian Labs

Senior Developer Tools Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

As the founding member of the Developer Experience team, you will design and build tools for profiling, debugging, and performance introspection across the compiler stack, creating a best-in-class ...

Lemurian Labs

Senior Developer Tools Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

You'll build the tools that give developers deep visibility into system performance--from profiling and debugging capabilities to hardware introspection interfaces. Your work will bridge the gap ...

Lyte

Embedded Software Tools Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$154K - $203K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Embedded Software Tools Engineer to design, build, and maintain the software tools that enable efficient development, testing, manufacturing, and deployment of embedded ...

Altera

FPGA Development Tools Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$152K - $195K/yr

Altera is seeking an FPGA Development Tools Engineer to design, develop, and enhance the next generation of FPGA software development tools. In this role, you will work on industry-leading toolchains ...

Grid Aero

Flight Software Tools Engineer

San Leandro, CA · On-site

$150K - $190K/yr

Flight Software Tools Engineer Company: Grid.aero Location: Onsite 4 days/week [San Leandro, CA] About Grid.aero Grid.aero is building the next generation of autonomous aviation systems for defense ...

Grid Aero

Flight Software Tools Engineer

San Leandro, CA · On-site

$150K - $190K/yr

Flight Software Tools Engineer Company: Grid.aero Location: Onsite 4 days/week [San Leandro, CA] About Grid.aero Grid.aero is building the next generation of autonomous aviation systems for defense ...

Grid Aero

Flight Software Tools Engineer

San Leandro, CA

$150K - $190K/yr

Flight Software Tools Engineer Company: Grid.aero Location: Onsite 4 days/week [San Leandro, CA] About Grid.aero Grid.aero is building the next generation of autonomous aviation systems for defense ...

Abbott

Decision Support Tools Engineer

Alameda, CA · On-site

Build interactive visualization tools for algorithm performance analysis, trend qualification ... Create reusable toolkits and templates that enable algorithm developers and clinical scientists to ...

Abbott

Decision Support Tools Engineer

Alameda, CA

Build interactive visualization tools for algorithm performance analysis, trend qualification ... Create reusable toolkits and templates that enable algorithm developers and clinical scientists to ...

Abbott

Decision Support Tools Engineer

Alameda, CA

Build interactive visualization tools for algorithm performance analysis, trend qualification ... Create reusable toolkits and templates that enable algorithm developers and clinical scientists to ...

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All JobsTools Programmer JobsTools Programmer Jobs in California

Tools Programmer information

See California salary details

$10.9K

$123.4K

$141.6K

How much do tools programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for tools programmer in California is $123,363.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,500.00 and $141,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Tools Programmer?

As a Tools Programmer, you will spend your days designing, implementing, and maintaining software tools that support artists, designers, and other developers in their workflow. This often involves collaborating closely with team members to gather requirements, troubleshoot issues, and ensure tools are intuitive and reliable. You might also work on optimizing existing tools or integrating new technology into the development pipeline. Regular communication with end users of your tools is common to ensure they meet production needs. This role requires balancing independent programming tasks with frequent team interactions to deliver effective solutions.

What does a Tools Programmer do?

A Tools Programmer develops and maintains software tools that help game developers work more efficiently. These tools can include level editors, asset pipelines, debugging utilities, and performance analysis tools. Their goal is to streamline development processes and improve productivity for artists, designers, and other programmers. They typically work closely with multiple departments to understand their needs and create custom solutions. Strong programming skills, particularly in languages like C++, Python, or C#, are essential for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Tools Programmer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Tools Programmer, you need strong proficiency in software development (typically C++ or Python), understanding of computer science fundamentals, and often a degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with source control systems (like Git), industry-standard development environments, and experience with game engines or DCC tools is highly valued. Strong problem-solving abilities, excellent communication, and a collaborative mindset are essential soft skills for working with multidisciplinary teams. These skills are crucial for building efficient, user-friendly tools that streamline development workflows and enhance productivity across projects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Tools Programmer jobs in California? The most popular types of Tools Programmer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Tools Programmer jobs in California? For Tools Programmer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Tools Programmer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Tools Programmer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Tools Programmer jobs? Cities in California with the most Tools Programmer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Tools Programmer jobs in CA? For Tools Programmer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Tools Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Tools Programmer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, and 40% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $123,363 per year, or $59.3 per hour.
Senior Developer Tools Engineer

Senior Developer Tools Engineer

Lemurian Labs

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Job Summary:
Lemurian Labs is reimagining the foundations of computing to make AI accessible to everyone. As the founding member of the Developer Experience team, you will design and build tools for profiling, debugging, and performance introspection across the compiler stack, creating a best-in-class development experience for engineers.
Responsibilities:
• Design and build developer tools for profiling, debugging, and performance introspection across our compiler stack.
• Create client-side tooling that transforms server-side compiler telemetry into clear, actionable information for engineers.
• Develop interfaces that expose hardware performance metrics, and interrupt data in meaningful ways.
• Build GPU debugging capabilities and visualization tools to help engineers understand execution on heterogeneous hardware.
• Define formats and protocols for debug information exchange, working with standard debugger formats (DWARF, JTAG) and object file formats (ELF, COFF).
• Collaborate with internal engineering teams to understand their needs and iterate on tooling, with a path toward external customer-facing tools.
Qualifications:
Required:
• 3+ years of professional experience in systems-level software development.
• Strong proficiency in C++ with experience writing performance-critical code.
• Working knowledge of assembly language and low-level debugging techniques.
• Familiarity with debugger formats (DWARF, JTAG) and object file formats (ELF, COFF).
• Understanding of profiling methodologies and performance analysis tools.
• Ability to work on-site at our Toronto or Santa Clara office.
Preferred:
• Experience with GPU programming and debugging (CUDA, ROCm, or similar).
• Experience with OS-level interfaces including I/O subsystems and interrupt handling.
• Background in compiler development or toolchain infrastructure.
• Experience building developer-facing tools or IDEs.
• Contributions to open-source debugging or profiling tools.
Company:
Any workload. Any hardware. Any scale. Founded in 2018, the company is headquartered in Santa Clara, USA, with a team of 11-50 employees. The company is currently Early Stage.

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