AI Developer Jobs in California
AI Developer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in technology, enterprise software, healthcare AI, and autonomous systems, with openings at every level from entry-level machine learning engineers through principal AI architects. The largest hiring metros are San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where companies like Google, Meta, and Qualcomm maintain deep AI research and engineering teams. The most in-demand specialties right now are large language model fine-tuning, computer vision, and MLOps infrastructure. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
We are seeking a skilled software engineer with a strong background in Python and shell scripting, as well as experience in building Agentic AI systems.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- 5+ years of professional software engineering experience
- Strong, production-level proficiency in Python and shell scripting on Linux
- Working knowledge of Go and/or Perl in a professional context
- Demonstrated, hands-on experience building Agentic AI systems (e.g., LLM agents, tool-use pipelines, orchestration frameworks such as LangGraph, CrewAI, AutoGen, or similar)
- Solid understanding of GNU Make and software build system design
- Experience with Jenkins
- Comfortable working day-to-day in a Linux environment
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with RTL design tools and EDA ecosystems (e.g., Synopsys or Cadence tools)
- Familiarity with semiconductor design or verification flows
- Experience with GNU Make, CMake, or other build system tools
- Background in infrastructure or developer tooling for hardware engineering teams
INTRODUCTION
We are seeking a skilled software engineer with a strong background in Python and shell scripting, as well as experience in building Agentic AI systems.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- 5+ years of professional software engineering experience
- Strong, production-level proficiency in Python and shell scripting on Linux
- Working knowledge of Go and/or Perl in a professional context
- Demonstrated, hands-on experience building Agentic AI systems (e.g., LLM agents, tool-use pipelines, orchestration frameworks such as LangGraph, CrewAI, AutoGen, or similar)
- Solid understanding of GNU Make and software build system design
- Experience with Jenkins
- Comfortable working day-to-day in a Linux environment
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with RTL design tools and EDA ecosystems (e.g., Synopsys or Cadence tools)
- Familiarity with semiconductor design or verification flows
- Experience with GNU Make, CMake, or other build system tools
- Background in infrastructure or developer tooling for hardware engineering teams
See All 49 AI Developer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find AI Developer JobsAI Developer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
AI Developer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- NVIDIA15
- Zoox3
- Applied Materials2
- Intel2
- MSCI2
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software23
- Electronics & Hardware8
- Law & Legal Services5
- Automotive4
- Artificial Intelligence2
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in AI developer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, AI, or a related technical field
- Proficiency in Python and at least one ML framework such as PyTorch or TensorFlow
- Experience designing, training, and deploying machine learning models in production environments
- Familiarity with cloud platforms such as Google Cloud, AWS, or Azure for AI workloads
- Strong understanding of data pipelines, feature engineering, and model evaluation techniques
- Ability to collaborate with cross-functional product and engineering teams on AI-driven features
AI Developer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a ai developer in California?
AI developer roles in California do not require a state-issued license, so the path runs through education and demonstrated technical skill. Most employers expect at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, or a closely related field, and a master's degree is common at top California tech firms. Building a public project portfolio on GitHub, completing focused coursework in deep learning or NLP, and contributing to open-source projects are the steps that move candidates from eligible to hired in this market.
How much do AI developers make in California?
AI developers in California earn a median of about $174,410 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $105,060 for the lowest 10% to over $272,670 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire ai developers in California?
Employers hiring ai developers in California right now include NVIDIA, Zoox, and Applied Materials, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of AI-first companies, research labs, and large enterprise tech headquarters makes it one of the deepest pools of ai developer demand anywhere in the country.
Which California cities have the most ai developer jobs?
Santa Clara, San Francisco, and San Jose account for the most ai developer openings in California. The San Francisco Bay Area leads because of its density of AI research labs, foundation model startups, and the headquarters of major tech platforms, while Los Angeles has grown rapidly through media-tech, autonomous vehicles, and enterprise software, and San Diego draws demand from defense contractors, biotech, and Qualcomm's AI chip research operations.
Are there remote ai developer jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 16% of ai developer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how much of the work happens in code editors, notebooks, and cloud environments rather than on-site hardware. Roles focused on model training, data pipeline development, and API integration are the most likely to be fully remote, while positions requiring on-premise GPU clusters or lab access tend to require in-person presence.
How can I get hired as a ai developer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a machine learning engineer or AI research intern role at a mid-size California tech company, where formal new-grad programs are common and portfolios often outweigh years of experience. Large California employers like Apple, Adobe, and Salesforce run structured new-grad and rotational programs that are genuinely accessible without industry experience. Transitioning from adjacent roles such as data analyst, software engineer, or data scientist is also common, and candidates who hold a completed Kaggle project record, a fine-tuned open-source model, or a relevant graduate thesis get through screening at a higher rate.
Where can I find and apply to ai developer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to ai developer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Search the listings for roles that match your experience and specialization, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 49 AI Developer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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