Backend Software Engineer Jobs in California

Backend Software Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in technology, fintech, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise software, with openings at every level from entry-level junior engineers through principal and staff engineers. The heaviest hiring is in San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles, where companies like Google, Apple, and Salesforce maintain large engineering organizations. The most in-demand specialties in California include distributed systems, API design, and cloud-native backend development across platforms like AWS and GCP. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles196+
Top employerTikTok
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring28
Work type49% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 196+ Backend Software Engineer jobs

PGA TOUR Superstore
Retail Back End Department Head
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PGA TOUR Superstore
Added 1d ago
Retail Back End Department Head
PGA TOUR Superstore
Cupertino, California
Corporate Training
Corporate Training & Learning Development
Teaching & Instruction
$22.75 - $26/hr
High school diploma or GED
1,001-5,000

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Next Gen Software Solutions
Java Backend Developer with Devops | SFO, CA (5 days Onsite) | In person interview | Contract W2
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Next Gen Software Solutions
Added 1d ago
Java Backend Developer with Devops | SFO, CA (5 days Onsite) | In person interview | Contract W2
Next Gen Software Solutions
San Francisco, California
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Medical Assistant
$55 - $60/hr
On-Site

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DoorDash
Software Engineer, Backend - DoorDash Air
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DoorDash
Added 1d ago
Software Engineer, Backend - DoorDash Air
DoorDash
San Francisco, California
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering
Product Management
$131k - $192k/yr
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

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Affirm
Staff Software Engineer, Backend (Online Storage)
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Affirm
Added 2d ago
Staff Software Engineer, Backend (Online Storage)
Affirm
San Francisco, California
IT Support
Project Management
Technical Program Management
$204k - $290k/yr
Remote (US)
Bachelor's degree
1,001-5,000

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General Motors
Staff Backend Software Engineer
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General Motors
Added 2d ago
Staff Backend Software Engineer
General Motors
Sunnyvale, California
Software Engineering
Cloud & DevOps
Backend Engineering
$265k - $311k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's

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See All 196+ Backend Software Engineer Jobs in California

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Backend Software Engineer Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Sunnyvale
19 jobs
Palo Alto
13 jobs
Los Angeles
7 jobs
Mountain View
7 jobs
Fremont
6 jobs
Irvine
5 jobs
Milpitas
4 jobs

Backend Software Engineer Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • TikTok
    TikTok20
  • Walmart
    Walmart11
  • Rippling
    Rippling10
  • Affirm
    Affirm7
  • Databricks
    Databricks5

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software55
  • Banking & Financial Services7
  • Science & Research5
  • Electronics & Hardware5
  • Insurance4

What California Employers Look For

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

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related technical field
  • Proficiency in one or more backend languages such as Python, Java, Go, or Node.js
  • Experience designing and maintaining REST or GraphQL APIs at production scale
  • Familiarity with cloud platforms, particularly AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure
  • Experience with relational and NoSQL databases including PostgreSQL, MySQL, or MongoDB
  • Ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams including product, DevOps, and frontend engineering

Backend Software Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a backend software engineer in California?

Backend software engineering has no state-issued license in California, so the path is driven by education and demonstrated skills. Most California employers expect at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related discipline, though graduates of accredited coding bootcamps are increasingly considered for junior roles. Building a portfolio of personal or open-source projects and completing internships at California technology companies strengthens applications considerably at every level.

How much do backend software engineers make in California?

Backend software engineers 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 engineers in California?

Employers hiring backend software engineers in California right now include TikTok, Walmart, and Rippling, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's density of technology headquarters, from the Bay Area to greater Los Angeles, means that large platforms, cloud providers, and enterprise software companies consistently post backend engineering roles throughout the year.

Which California cities have the most backend software engineer jobs?

San Francisco, San Jose, and Sunnyvale have the most backend software engineer openings in California. San Francisco and San Jose lead because of the Bay Area's concentration of technology company headquarters and venture-backed startups, while Los Angeles has grown significantly as a hub for entertainment technology, fintech, and e-commerce companies that depend on large-scale backend infrastructure.

Are there remote backend software engineer jobs in California?

Yes, and more than most fields. About 51% of backend software engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how naturally the work translates to distributed teams. Roles focused on API development, cloud infrastructure, and microservices architecture are the most likely to be fully remote, while positions requiring close collaboration with hardware or on-site platform teams tend to be in-person.

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

The most realistic entry path is an associate or junior engineer role, which large California technology companies like Google, Apple, Meta, and Salesforce fill through structured new-grad hiring programs that open each fall. Candidates without a computer science degree can build credibility through portfolio projects hosted publicly, contributions to open-source repositories, and completion of a recognized bootcamp. Adjacent roles such as QA engineer, DevOps associate, or technical support engineer at a California software company are common lateral moves that lead to backend engineering positions within one to two years.

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

You can find and apply to backend software engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and experience levels. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 196+ Backend Software Engineer Jobs in California

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