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.
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Showing 5 of 48+ C Software Engineer jobs
Our award-winning culture embraces a bold vision of where technology can take us and a passion for tackling challenging problems with industry-first solutions. We believe that when people feel a sense of belonging, they can be more creative, innovative, and thrive at all points in their careers.
Build the foundation that Keysight's instruments run on. Our instrument infrastructure team is part of Keysight Laboratories, Keysight's central research and development organization. We create the software platform that product teams around the world build on. The code you write won't ship in just one product. It becomes the shared foundation for the next generation of Keysight test and measurement systems.
This is full-stack work in the truest sense. You'll work from register-level hardware interfaces and drivers up through application software, and you'll carry your designs from architecture through production.
Work with product architects to define infrastructure software requirements and system architecture for next-generation instrument platforms.
Design, develop, and maintain high-performance C++ software for hardware control, data acquisition, and scalable platform capabilities.
Build reusable infrastructure that delivers consistent capabilities across multiple Keysight products.
Integrate hardware and software components, and perform system-level integration, testing, and validation.
Debug issues across the full stack, from device registers and drivers to application software.
Collaborate with distributed engineering teams across the full development lifecycle, from design through production readiness.
Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
5+ years of professional experience developing hardware control or hardware-adjacent software.
Strong proficiency in modern C++ (C++20), object-oriented design, and software architecture principles.
Solid understanding of driver and real-time processing architectures. [If kernel driver development experience is required, state it explicitly here.]
Demonstrated ability to debug across multiple layers of the stack, from device registers to application software, using modern debugging and profiling tools.
Software development experience in Linux and/or Windows environments.
Desired Qualifications
Experience with multithreaded, high-performance software design.
Embedded Linux development experience.
Proficiency in Python or C#.
Experience with automated testing, CI/CD, and DevOps practices.
Familiarity with electronic test and measurement systems and instrument architectures.
Careers Privacy Statement
Keysight Technologies Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other protected categories under all applicable laws.
The level of role will be based on applicable experience, education and skills; Most offers will be between the minimum and the midpoint of the Salary Range listed below.
California pay range: MIN $ X- MAX $XX
Note: For other locations, pay ranges will vary by region
This role is eligible for <> Keysight Results Bonus Program OR Pay For Results Bonus Program OR Sales Incentive Program
US Employees may be eligible for the following benefits:
- Medical, dental and vision
- Health Savings Account
- Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- Life, Accident, Disability insurance
- Business Travel Accident and Business Travel Health
- 401(k) Plan
- Flexible Time Off, Paid Holidays
- Paid Family Leave
- Discounts, Perks
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Adoption Assistance
- ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)
- Restricted Stock Units
#LI-MED1
Our award-winning culture embraces a bold vision of where technology can take us and a passion for tackling challenging problems with industry-first solutions. We believe that when people feel a sense of belonging, they can be more creative, innovative, and thrive at all points in their careers.
Build the foundation that Keysight's instruments run on. Our instrument infrastructure team is part of Keysight Laboratories, Keysight's central research and development organization. We create the software platform that product teams around the world build on. The code you write won't ship in just one product. It becomes the shared foundation for the next generation of Keysight test and measurement systems.
This is full-stack work in the truest sense. You'll work from register-level hardware interfaces and drivers up through application software, and you'll carry your designs from architecture through production.
Work with product architects to define infrastructure software requirements and system architecture for next-generation instrument platforms.
Design, develop, and maintain high-performance C++ software for hardware control, data acquisition, and scalable platform capabilities.
Build reusable infrastructure that delivers consistent capabilities across multiple Keysight products.
Integrate hardware and software components, and perform system-level integration, testing, and validation.
Debug issues across the full stack, from device registers and drivers to application software.
Collaborate with distributed engineering teams across the full development lifecycle, from design through production readiness.
Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
5+ years of professional experience developing hardware control or hardware-adjacent software.
Strong proficiency in modern C++ (C++20), object-oriented design, and software architecture principles.
Solid understanding of driver and real-time processing architectures. [If kernel driver development experience is required, state it explicitly here.]
Demonstrated ability to debug across multiple layers of the stack, from device registers to application software, using modern debugging and profiling tools.
Software development experience in Linux and/or Windows environments.
Desired Qualifications
Experience with multithreaded, high-performance software design.
Embedded Linux development experience.
Proficiency in Python or C#.
Experience with automated testing, CI/CD, and DevOps practices.
Familiarity with electronic test and measurement systems and instrument architectures.
Careers Privacy Statement
Keysight Technologies Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other protected categories under all applicable laws.
The level of role will be based on applicable experience, education and skills; Most offers will be between the minimum and the midpoint of the Salary Range listed below.
California pay range: MIN $ X- MAX $XX
Note: For other locations, pay ranges will vary by region
This role is eligible for <> Keysight Results Bonus Program OR Pay For Results Bonus Program OR Sales Incentive Program
US Employees may be eligible for the following benefits:
- Medical, dental and vision
- Health Savings Account
- Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- Life, Accident, Disability insurance
- Business Travel Accident and Business Travel Health
- 401(k) Plan
- Flexible Time Off, Paid Holidays
- Paid Family Leave
- Discounts, Perks
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Adoption Assistance
- ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)
- Restricted Stock Units
#LI-MED1
See All 48 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 JobsC Software Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
C Software Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software12
- Aerospace & Defense2
- Consulting & Professional Services1
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, KLA, and Anduril, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 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 Milpitas. 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 31% of c software engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 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 48 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