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Volunteer Software Development Jobs in California

Software Dev Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · Hybrid

$120.12K - $223.08K/yr

Software Development Engineer Come create the technology that helps the world act together Nokia is ... Voluntary benefits including vision, legal, auto & home Insurance, pet insurance, Identity Theft ...

As our Software Development Manager, you will be responsible for designing and implementing ... HSA or FSA account and other voluntary benefits * 401(k) Retirement Saving Plan with Employer Match ...

Whether you're raising a family, you're passionate about where you volunteer, or you want to ... You have 6+ years of professional software development experience in one or more modern languages ...

Software Development Engineer III

Irvine, CA · On-site

$61.50 - $82.50/hr

Whether you're raising a family, you're passionate about where you volunteer, or you want to ... You have 6+ years of professional software development experience in one or more modern languages ...

Whether you're raising a family, you're passionate about where you volunteer, or you want to ... You have 6+ years of professional software development experience in one or more modern languages ...

R&D Software Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$91K - $146K/yr

Volunteer for and commit to delivering stories and tasks within the sprint. * Actively communicate ... Heavy experience in software development using IBM Assembler on z/OS systems. * Experience using ...

R&D Software Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$91K - $146K/yr

Volunteer for and commit to delivering stories and tasks within the sprint. * Actively communicate ... Heavy experience in software development using IBM Assembler on z/OS systems. * Experience using ...

VP, Software Development Manager

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$155.30K - $258.80K/yr

... volunteer time off, and more. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that LPL has to offer! Company Overview: LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: LPLA) is among the fastest growing wealth ...

Software Developer III

Roseville, CA · On-site

$83.12K - $138.53K/yr

Voluntary benefit offerings * Short-term Disability (CA only) * Voluntary Life AD&D self, spouse ... Requirements * 2+ years of software development * Guidewire Certification is required * Demonstrate ...

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Showing results 1-20

Volunteer Software Development information

See California salary details

$78.5K

$140.2K

$176.2K

How much do volunteer software development jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for volunteer software development in California is $140,241.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $121,900.00 and $160,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Volunteer Software Developer, you need a solid understanding of programming languages, version control, and software development principles, typically gained through education or self-study. Familiarity with platforms like GitHub, issue trackers, and common frameworks or libraries is highly beneficial. Strong communication, teamwork, and a proactive attitude help you collaborate effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders. These skills enable volunteers to contribute meaningful code, support project goals, and drive positive impact in resource-limited environments.

What are some common challenges faced by volunteer software developers, and how can they be effectively managed?

Volunteer software developers often work with teams that have varying skill levels and may be distributed across different time zones, making communication and coordination challenging. Additionally, since volunteer roles are typically part-time or flexible, balancing project deadlines with volunteers’ availability requires strong project management and clear expectations. To manage these challenges, it’s helpful to use collaborative tools, maintain regular check-ins, and establish clear documentation and coding standards. Open communication and a supportive team culture can also help volunteers stay engaged and productive.

What is volunteer software development?

Volunteer software development involves individuals offering their programming skills and technical expertise for free to support non-profit organizations, open-source projects, or community initiatives. These volunteers help build, maintain, or improve software systems without monetary compensation, often to support causes they care about. This work can range from designing websites to developing complex applications, and may be done remotely or on-site. Volunteering in software development not only helps organizations achieve their missions but also provides volunteers with valuable experience and networking opportunities.

What is the difference between Volunteer Software Development vs Software Developer?

AspectVolunteer Software DevelopmentSoftware Developer
CredentialsTypically no formal credentials required; passion and basic coding skillsBachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field often required
Work EnvironmentNon-profit, open-source projects, or community initiativesCorporate, startup, or freelance settings
Employer & IndustryNon-profit organizations, open-source communitiesTech companies, startups, consulting firms
Search & Comparison IntentVolunteering opportunities, unpaid coding rolesPaid employment, career development

Volunteer Software Development involves unpaid work for non-profit or open-source projects, often with flexible credentials. Software Developers typically work in paid roles within companies, requiring formal education and professional experience. Both roles involve coding but differ mainly in compensation, work environment, and career progression.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Development jobs in California? The most popular types of Software Development jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Volunteer Software Development jobs? Cities in California with the most Volunteer Software Development job openings:
Infographic showing various Volunteer Software Development job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 15% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 71% Physical, and 29% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $140,241 per year, or $67.4 per hour.

Software Dev Engineer

Phenom People

Sunnyvale, CA • Hybrid

$120.12K - $223.08K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Software Development Engineer

Come create the technology that helps the world act together

Nokia is committed to innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. Your career here will have a positive impact on people's lives and will help us build the capabilities needed for a more productive, sustainable, and inclusive world.

We challenge ourselves to create an inclusive way of working where we are open to new ideas, empowered to take risks and fearless to bring our authentic selves to work.

The team you'll be part of

The pandemic has highlighted how important telecoms networks are to society. Nokia's Network Infrastructure group is at the heart of a revolution to bring more and faster network capacity to people worldwide through our ambition, innovation, and technical expertise.

The IP/Optical Networks Division - Service Router group is looking for a Software Development Engineer.

What you will learn and contribute to

As part of our team, you will:

  • Developing application software in C++ software on carrier-grade products.
  • Developing application software that simulates real products

Your skills and experience

You have:

  • BSCS, or similar is required. Work experience in related areas is a plus.
  • IP network fundamentals, including network architecture, routing protocols.
  • Advanced operating system fundamentals, including kernel operations, scheduling, memory management, semaphores
  • Data structure and algorithm fundamentals, including use cases, order of complexity, performance analysis
  • Person should have hands on experience with Software development on Linux, knowledge of Real Time Operating systems (RTOS) like VxWorks is plus.

It would be nice if you also had:

  • Person should have strong foundation on Operating Systems concepts and C/C++ programming languages.
  • Person should have experience designing and developing network protocols, analyzing and improving existing protocol specifications.
  • Person should have experience with virtualization technologies Dockers/Containers, Namespaces, etc.
  • Experience with Broadcom or Cavium SDK or any contemporary Chipset is preferred.
  • Knowledge and experience of complex software design for distributed systems in embedded networking/telecommunications projects.
  • Experience with design and development of Layer 2, Layer 3, networking control and/or data plane software.
  • Software development experience on real ¬time (Linux, QNX, VxWorks) or embedded systems.
  • Excellent programming skills in C or C++
  • Experience in designing and developing high-performance switching and routing software
  • Experience in designing and developing data plane for Broadcom chipset like Trident/Tomahawk, etc.
  • Experience in designing and developing programmable management interfaces using gNMI, NETCONF, etc.

What we offer

Nokia offers flexible and hybrid working schemes, continuous learning opportunities, well-being programs to support you mentally and physically, opportunities to join and get supported by employee resource groups, mentoring programs and highly diverse teams with an inclusive culture where people thrive and are empowered.

Nokia is committed to inclusion and is an equal opportunity employer

Nokia has received the following recognitions for its commitment to inclusion & equality:

  • One of the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere
  • Gender-Equality Index by Bloomberg
  • Workplace Pride Global Benchmark

At Nokia, we act inclusively and respect the uniqueness of people.

Nokia's employment decisions are made regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

We are committed to a culture of inclusion built upon our core value of respect.

Join us and be part of a company where you will feel included and empowered to succeed.

Additional Information

  • United States Salary Range: $120120- $223080 plus eligibility for incentive/variable pay
  • United States Benefits: Nokia offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes Pension Plan - Cash Account Program, Medical, and dental coverage, Short-term disability, and long-term disability, Life insurance, and AD&D - Company paid 2x base pay, Supplemental life and AD&D insurance (Employee/Spouse/Child), Health care and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts, Pre-tax commuter and parking benefits, Savings/401(k) Plan, Paid time off for holidays and vacation, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Tuition Assistance Plan, Adoption assistance, Employee Assistance Program/Work Life Resource Program, Voluntary benefits including vision, legal, auto & home Insurance, pet insurance, Identity Theft Protection Services, and Health Advisory Services and Nokia Perks At Work.
  • Disclaimer (For US Jobs): Nokia Maintains broad annual base salary ranges for its roles in order to account for variations in knowledge, skills, experience and market conditions, and with consideration to internal peer equity.