C Software Engineer Jobs in California

C Software Engineer jobs in California are in strong demand, concentrated in defense and aerospace, embedded systems, automotive technology, and high-performance computing, with openings at every level from entry-level to principal and staff engineer. The largest hiring hubs are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where employers such as Northrop Grumman, Qualcomm, and Apple maintain deep engineering organizations with persistent need for C expertise. Systems programming, real-time operating systems, and firmware development are the most sought-after specialties across these markets. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find C Software Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open roles60
Top employerEsri
Top cityRedlands, CA
Cities hiring19
Work type76% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 60+ C Software Engineer jobs

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Software Developer Blazor, C#, C++
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Added 2d ago
Software Developer Blazor, C#, C++
GREENFactor
Los Angeles, California
Backend Engineering
Full-stack Engineering
Software Engineering
$80k - $90k/yr
Hybrid

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Varda Space Industries
Senior Flight Software Engineer, C++
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Varda Space Industries
Added 3d ago
Senior Flight Software Engineer, C++
Varda Space Industries
Los Angeles, California
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
$169k - $216k/yr
Bachelor's degree in Physics

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Varda Space Industries
Flight Software Engineer, C++
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Varda Space Industries
Added 3d ago
Flight Software Engineer, C++
Varda Space Industries
Los Angeles, California
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
$131k - $184k/yr
Bachelor's degree in Physics

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Varda Space Industries
Senior Embedded Software Engineer, C++
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Varda Space Industries
Added 3d ago
Senior Embedded Software Engineer, C++
Varda Space Industries
El Segundo, California
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
$169k - $216k/yr
Bachelor's degree in Physics

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Varda Space Industries
Embedded Software Engineer, C++
We won't show you this job again
Varda Space Industries
Added 3d ago
Embedded Software Engineer, C++
Varda Space Industries
El Segundo, California
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
$131k - $184k/yr
Bachelor's degree in Physics

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See All 60 C Software Engineer Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find C Software Engineer Jobs

C Software Engineer Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Redlands
11 jobs
Los Angeles
8 jobs
Mountain View
7 jobs
Palo Alto
6 jobs
San Jose
3 jobs
Hawthorne
3 jobs
San Mateo
3 jobs
Norco
2 jobs
Fremont
2 jobs

C Software Engineer Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

Esri
Esri7 open roles
Varda Space Industries
Varda Space Industries4 open roles
Roblox
Roblox3 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software18
  • Aerospace & Defense4
  • Consulting & Professional Services2
  • Insurance1
  • Agriculture & Farming1

What California Employers Look For

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

  • Proficiency in C programming with experience in systems or embedded development
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or electrical engineering
  • Experience with real-time operating systems such as FreeRTOS, VxWorks, or Linux kernel
  • Familiarity with hardware-software integration, debugging tools, and low-level memory management
  • Knowledge of version control systems such as Git and collaborative development workflows
  • Strong understanding of data structures, algorithms, and performance optimization techniques

C Software Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a c software engineer in California?

Most c software engineers in California enter the field with a bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a closely related discipline. California does not require a state-issued license specifically for software engineers, though some roles in aerospace, defense, or safety-critical systems may require security clearances or employer-specific certifications. Building a portfolio of C projects, contributing to open-source systems software, and targeting California's large embedded and systems engineering employers strengthens a candidate's position significantly.

How much do C software engineers make in California?

C 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 c software engineers in California?

Employers hiring c software engineers in California right now include Esri, Varda Space Industries, and Roblox, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's concentration of defense contractors, semiconductor companies, and consumer electronics firms means demand for C expertise is spread across a wide range of established engineering organizations.

Which California cities have the most c software engineer jobs?

The cities with the most c software engineer openings in California are Redlands, Los Angeles, and Mountain View. The Bay Area draws the highest volume because of its density of semiconductor and systems software companies, while Los Angeles and San Diego reflect California's large aerospace and defense contracting base, where C programming is a core engineering requirement.

Are there remote c software engineer jobs in California?

Yes, and more than many engineering specialties, because C development for non-hardware-dependent applications can be done entirely remotely. About 24% of c software engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the role's strong software component. Work involving hardware-in-the-loop testing, lab equipment, or classified systems is most likely to require on-site presence.

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

The most realistic entry path is applying to new-grad software engineer roles at California-based defense and semiconductor companies, which run structured internship-to-hire and rotational engineering programs for candidates without professional experience. Employers such as Northrop Grumman and Qualcomm recruit directly from California university engineering programs. Lateral entry from adjacent roles in IT, QA engineering, or technical support is also common. A strong GitHub portfolio featuring low-level C projects, contributions to open-source firmware, or university capstone work in embedded systems gives candidates a clear edge.

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

You can find and apply to c software engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly to each one.

See All 60 C Software Engineer Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find C Software Engineer Jobs