Backend Software Developer Jobs in California

Backend Software Developer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in technology, fintech, entertainment software, and enterprise SaaS across a seniority range from entry-level to principal engineer. The largest hiring metros are San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Jose, where companies like Google, Apple, and Meta have deep, long-standing engineering operations. The most in-demand specialties are distributed systems, cloud-native API development, and microservices architecture. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles227+
Top employerTikTok
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring36
Work type47% Hybrid
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 227+ Backend Software Developer jobs

CVS Health
Pharmacy Technician Back End
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CVS Health
Added 2d ago
Pharmacy Technician Back End
CVS Health
Cerritos, California
Business Development
Growth Marketing
Marketing
$16 - $28.84/hr
PTCB Certification
10,000+

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Affirm
Staff Software Engineer, Backend (Trust and Safety)
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Affirm
Added 2d ago
Staff Software Engineer, Backend (Trust and Safety)
Affirm
San Francisco, California
Product Management
Software Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
$204k - $290k/yr
Remote (US)
Bachelor's degree
1,001-5,000

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Happen Bank
Sr Software Engineer (Backend)
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Happen Bank
Added 2d ago
Sr Software Engineer (Backend)
Happen Bank
San Francisco, California
Account Management
Business Development
Partnerships & Business Development
$190k - $207k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree
1,001-5,000

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Tesla
Sr. Software Backend Engineer, Machine Learning Data Pipelines
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Tesla
Added 2d ago
Sr. Software Backend Engineer, Machine Learning Data Pipelines
Tesla
Fremont, California
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering
Product Management
$140k - $252k/yr
Master's degree
10,000+

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SpaceX
Software Engineer, Backend (Python/C++)
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SpaceX
Added 3d ago
Software Engineer, Backend (Python/C++)
SpaceX
Hawthorne, California
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering
Product Management
$125k - $175k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in engineering
1,001-5,000

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See All 227+ Backend Software Developer Jobs in California

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Backend Software Developer Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Sunnyvale
19 jobs
Palo Alto
11 jobs
Mountain View
11 jobs
Fremont
9 jobs
San Diego
7 jobs
Cupertino
5 jobs

Backend Software Developer Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • TikTok
    TikTok24
  • Rippling
    Rippling15
  • Walmart
    Walmart9
  • Affirm
    Affirm8
  • ALTRUIST
    ALTRUIST8

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software42
  • Electronics & Hardware5
  • Banking & Financial Services5
  • Consulting & Professional Services4
  • Insurance3

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in backend software developer jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field
  • Proficiency in one or more backend languages such as Python, Java, Go, or Node.js
  • Experience designing and maintaining RESTful or GraphQL APIs at production scale
  • Familiarity with cloud platforms including AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure
  • Working knowledge of relational and NoSQL databases such as PostgreSQL and MongoDB
  • Experience with containerization and orchestration tools such as Docker and Kubernetes

Backend Software Developer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a backend software developer in California?

Backend software development has no state-issued license in California, so the path centers on education and demonstrated technical skill. Most California employers expect a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field, though graduates of accredited coding bootcamps are widely considered at many companies. Building a portfolio of backend projects, contributing to open-source repositories, and earning cloud certifications from AWS or Google strengthen a California application considerably.

How much do backend software developers make in California?

Backend software 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 backend software developers in California?

Employers hiring backend software developers in California right now include TikTok, Rippling, and Walmart, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's density of technology headquarters and major engineering offices means backend roles appear at scale across both established giants and high-growth SaaS companies throughout the state.

Which California cities have the most backend software developer jobs?

San Francisco, San Jose, and Sunnyvale have the most backend software developer openings in California. San Francisco and San Jose anchor the market through the Bay Area's deep concentration of technology headquarters and engineering campuses, while Los Angeles draws volume from its expanding entertainment technology, fintech, and startup ecosystem.

Are there remote backend software developer jobs in California?

Yes, and more than most fields. About 61% of backend software developer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the nature of work that requires only a laptop and a stable connection. Fully remote roles are most common in API development, cloud infrastructure, and platform engineering, where output is measured by code rather than physical presence.

How can I get hired as a backend software developer in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is an associate or new-graduate software engineer role, which large California employers like Google, Apple, and Salesforce post regularly through their university recruiting programs. Completing a structured bootcamp, building two or three GitHub portfolio projects that demonstrate API design or database work, and applying to junior engineering and QA automation roles are common ways candidates without experience get a first offer. Pursuing an AWS Cloud Practitioner or Google Associate Cloud Engineer certification signals readiness to California hiring teams.

Where can I find and apply to backend software developer jobs in California?

You can find and apply to backend software developer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated in real time. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly from the listing.

See All 227+ Backend Software Developer Jobs in California

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