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Wireless Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Specter

Wireless Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

The Role Specter is hiring a Wireless Software Engineer to own the wireless software stack across our distributed mesh sensor network, spanning radio configuration and control on the device, fleet ...

Skydio, Inc

Wireless Software Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$147K - $210K/yr

We're looking for a Wireless Software Engineer to join our team and help reimagine how WiFi and cellular links can be customized for autonomous drones operating in challenging, interference heavy ...

SpaceX

Wireless Software Engineer (Starlink)

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$155K - $185K/yr

WIRELESS SOFTWARE ENGINEER (STARLINK) At SpaceX, we're leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world's most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink ...

SpaceX

Wireless Software Engineer (Starlink)

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$155K - $185K/yr

WIRELESS SOFTWARE ENGINEER (STARLINK) At SpaceX, we're leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world's most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink ...

Eva Automation

Sr Wireless Software Engineer

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$150K - $197K/yr

Company Description Bowers & Wilkins, based in Redwood City, is currently seeking a Senior Wireless Software Engineer, to be a part of building the most innovative audio and visual systems the world ...

Eva Automation

Sr Wireless Software Engineer

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$150K - $197K/yr

Company Description Bowers & Wilkins, based in Redwood City, is currently seeking a Senior Wireless Software Engineer, to be a part of building the most innovative audio and visual systems the world ...

Qualcomm

Wireless Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

Job Area: Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Modem Software Engineering General Summary ... wireless access, and next-generation 5G/6G platforms. We are re-imagining how modem software is ...

Qualcomm

Wireless Software Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$104 - $156/hr

... system, software, hardware, and RF engineers to support commercialization and product launches Technical SkillsRequired * Background in digital communications. * Networking knowledge, Wireless ...

Qualcomm

Wireless Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$104 - $155/hr

... automotive, IoT, fixed wireless access, and next‑generation 5G/6G platforms. We are ... As a Modem Software Engineer, you will design, develop, and optimize real‑time embedded software ...

Qualcomm

Wireless Software Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$104K - $156K/yr

... software, hardware, and RF engineers to support commercialization and product launches Technical Skills Required * Background in digital communications. * Networking knowledge, Wireless ...

Nutanix

Wireless Software Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$104 - $156/hr

... system, software, hardware, and RF engineers to support commercialization and product launchesTechnical SkillsRequiredBackground in digital communications.Networking knowledge, Wireless ...

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All JobsWireless Software Engineer JobsWireless Software Engineer Jobs in California

Wireless Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$72K

$127.8K

$245.7K

How much do wireless software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for wireless software engineer in California is $127,815.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $101,700.00 and $132,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a wireless software engineer?

Wireless Software Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and maintain software that enables wireless communication between devices. They work with technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular networks (like 4G and 5G), and emerging wireless protocols. Their responsibilities include writing code for wireless communication systems, optimizing performance, troubleshooting connectivity issues, and ensuring security of wireless transmissions. Wireless Software Engineers often collaborate with hardware engineers and network specialists to deliver robust wireless solutions for smartphones, IoT devices, and other connected products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a wireless software engineer?

To thrive as a Wireless Software Engineer, you need a strong background in computer science, wireless networking protocols, and software development, typically supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with tools and technologies such as C/C++, Python, embedded systems, and wireless standards (e.g., LTE, 5G), as well as certifications like CWNA, are often necessary. Problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication are vital soft skills for this role. These abilities are crucial to develop robust wireless solutions, ensure system interoperability, and contribute efficiently to complex engineering projects.

What are some common challenges wireless software engineers face when integrating new technologies into existing wireless systems?

Wireless Software Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring backward compatibility with legacy hardware, optimizing software for varying wireless standards, and minimizing latency or interference in complex environments. They must collaborate closely with hardware engineers and network architects to troubleshoot integration issues and maintain system stability. Staying up-to-date with evolving wireless protocols is essential, as is the ability to rapidly prototype and test solutions in real-world scenarios.

What is the difference between Wireless Software Engineer vs Network Software Engineer?

AspectWireless Software EngineerNetwork Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related; certifications like CWNA or CCNABachelor's in Computer Science, Network Engineering, or related; certifications like CCNA or CompTIA Network+
Work EnvironmentDesigning and developing wireless communication software for devices and systemsDeveloping network protocols, software for wired/wireless networks, and network management tools
Industry UsageTelecommunications, IoT, mobile device manufacturingIT services, enterprise networking, data centers

Wireless Software Engineers focus on wireless communication systems, while Network Software Engineers work on wired and wireless network protocols and infrastructure. Both roles require similar technical skills and certifications but differ in their specific applications and environments.

What are popular job titles related to Wireless Software Engineer jobs in California?

For Wireless Software Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Wireless Software Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Wireless Software Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Wireless Software Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Wireless Software Engineer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Wireless Software Engineer jobs in CA?

For Wireless Software Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Wireless Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Wireless Software Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,815 per year, or $61.4 per hour.

Wireless Software Engineer

Specter

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Company Background
Specter's mission is to help automate the physical world.
Today, we build video sensors with state-of-the-art AI agents that answer any question, anywhere in their environments. Our systems can automatically detect and reason about any physical activity captured on camera, from security incidents (e.g. perimeter intrusion, theft, LPR), to safety monitoring (e.g. PPE detection, injured people), to operational efficiency (e.g. material tracking, congestion monitoring). We offer both long range wireless (1km range) and wired sensor variants to suit any deployment.
Our co-founders Xerxes and Philip are passionate about empowering our partners in the fast approaching world of physical AI and robotics. We are a small, fast growing team who hail from Anduril, Amazon, Tesla, Uber, and the U.S. Special Forces.
The Role
Specter is hiring a Wireless Software Engineer to own the wireless software stack across our distributed mesh sensor network, spanning radio configuration and control on the device, fleet-wide telemetry and diagnostics, and the tooling our RF team uses to design, deploy, and debug real sites.
Responsibilities:
  • Design, implement, and maintain the wireless software running on Specter's deployed edge devices, including radio configuration and control, channel and power management, QoS policy, rate control, and the device-side interfaces for remote node interrogation.
  • Own fleetwide telemetry and diagnostics: collect, transport, store, and analyze per-link statistics across hundreds of deployed nodes, enabling remote diagnosis of link degradation.
  • Integrate and characterize vendor wireless chipsets, drivers, and firmware including driver-level failure modes and engineering around vendor limitations we do not control.
  • Debug complex issues spanning radio, driver, kernel, and application layers; determine root causes and instrument systems for future diagnostics.
  • Collaborate closely with RF, Hardware Engineering, Embedded Software, and Backend teams to co-design interfaces, support new radio platforms, and ensure strong connections between wireless performance and end-to-end video quality and latency.
  • Build and maintain automation and tooling for fleet operations, including monitoring, alerting, configuration management, and targeted recovery processes.
  • Develop RF simulation and deployment planning tools for real site design, including propagation modeling, channel assignment, and capacity estimation.
  • Support field deployments through bring-up, site characterization, and post-deployment debugging, feeding insights from real-world behavior back into the design process.
  • Contribute to the wireless foundations underpinning Specter's next generation of autonomous and robotic platforms, such as drone communications and distributed node coordination.
What you'll bring
  • Strong software engineering fundamentals, with fluency in Python and at least one systems language such as C, C++, Go, or Rust.
  • Extensive Linux experience, including systemd services, working within the networking stack, and operating headless remote machines over SSH.
  • Deep understanding of WLAN standards, including Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) MAC protocols, WFA protocols, and coexistence with other wireless technologies such as Bluetooth, UWB and cellular.
  • Familiarity with the Linux wireless userspace: cfg80211/nl80211, hostapd, wpa_supplicant, and the related drivers.
  • Experience with telemetry or data pipelines: collecting, storing, and querying operational data.
  • Solid grasp of networking fundamentals across the whole stack from drivers up through application layer.
  • Solid understanding of embedded system design principles, including memory estimation, resource allocation, power management, and performance optimization.
  • Experience building and debugging distributed or networked systems.
  • Proficiency with wireless performance analysis using tools such as Wireshark, logging frameworks, and low-level tracing.
  • Hands-on experience debugging hardware/software interactions using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers, and embedded logging tools.
  • Ability to work at the hardware/software boundary, including reading datasheets, driver source, and register maps.

Nice to have
  • Experience with sub-GHz wireless, 802.11ah, or mesh networking.
  • Deep architectural understanding of LTE/5G Protocol Stacks (NAS, PDCP, RRC, RLC, MAC, PHY) and 3GPP specifications.
  • Familiarity with embedded interfaces (UART, I2C, I2S, SPI, CAN, PCIe, etc.).
  • Exposure to Video pipeline: encoder control, RTP or QUIC transport, and an understanding of the impact of packet loss on perceived quality.
  • Familiarity with software-defined radio, signal processing, or spectrum analysis tools.
  • Experience with time-series data infrastructure and observability tooling.
  • Previous work with field-deployed hardware, where environmental and software issues both affect reliability.
  • Understanding of QoS concepts and data path optimization algorithms.

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