Senior AI Software Engineer Jobs in California
Senior AI Software Engineer jobs in California represent one of the most active and competitive markets in the country, concentrated in enterprise software, cloud infrastructure, autonomous systems, and biotech AI across companies at every level from growth-stage startups to global headquarters. The largest hiring hubs are San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles, where employers such as Google, Meta, and Salesforce maintain deep senior engineering teams focused on large language models, MLOps, and AI platform development. The most in-demand specialties are generative AI, reinforcement learning, and applied machine learning at scale. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 400+ Senior AI Software Engineer jobs
INTRODUCTION
The Creation team is an international R&D group building creative capabilities for TikTok. We productize cutting-edge AI and multimedia technologies to create world-class creation experiences for TikTok users. Our work spans AI-powered creation, audio/video processing, AR effects, visual and graphics technologies, and full-stack product engineering across mobile, backend, frontend, and desktop. Our team operates globally across China, Singapore, and the United States. Within Creation, the Camera team owns TikTok's core capture and creation experiences, where users start creating and expressing themselves. The Camera Innovation team explores and builds new creation experiences by bringing together product engineering, AI, and multimedia technologies, with a strong focus on rapid experimentation and 0-to-1 innovation. We're looking for a hands-on Technical Lead Manager based in San Jose to lead the Camera Innovation team. This role is ideal for a technical leader who thrives in ambiguity, enjoys building 0-to-1 products, and is excited about turning rapidly evolving AI and multimedia technologies into compelling experiences for TikTok users.
Responsibilities
- Lead the Camera Innovation engineering team, providing hands-on technical leadership, mentorship, and people management.
- Drive technical direction and execution for new camera and creation experiences, from early exploration and prototyping to production.
- Explore and productize emerging AI and multimedia technologies into compelling user experiences.
- Navigate ambiguous and evolving problems, balancing rapid experimentation with technical quality and long-term foundations.
- Partner closely with Product, Design, Algorithm, and engineering teams to shape solutions and drive complex cross-functional initiatives.
- Mentor engineers, raise the team's technical bar, and foster a strong culture of innovation, ownership, and user impact.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- 5 years of hands-on software engineering experience, with strong technical depth in mobile, backend, AI, multimedia, or related areas.
- 1+ years of experience in people management or technical team leadership.
- Strong programming, system design, and software engineering fundamentals.
- Experience building and shipping complex user-facing products or technical systems.
- Strong problem-solving and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity and drive cross-functional initiatives.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience building 0-to-1 products or working in fast-moving, highly ambiguous environments.
- Experience with AI/ML, generative AI, computer vision, graphics, audio/video, or other multimedia technologies.
- Experience building consumer-facing creation, camera, or creative tools.
ABOUT TIKTOK
TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok's global headquarters are in Los Angeles and Singapore, and we also have offices in New York City, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.
WHY JOIN US
Inspiring creativity is at the core of TikTok's mission. Our innovative product is built to help people authentically express themselves, discover and connect – and our global, diverse teams make that possible. Together, we create value for our communities, inspire creativity and bring joy – a mission we work towards every day. We strive to do great things with great people. We lead with curiosity, humility, and a desire to make impact in a rapidly growing tech company. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and innovate as one team. We're resilient and embrace challenges as they come. By constantly iterating and fostering an "Always Day 1" mindset, we achieve meaningful breakthroughs for ourselves, our company, and our users. When we create and grow together, the possibilities are limitless. Join us.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
TikTok is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from across the globe and so does our workplace. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. To achieve that goal, we are committed to celebrating our diverse voices and to creating an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. We are passionate about this and hope you are too.
TIKTOK ACCOMMODATION
TikTok is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at https://tinyurl.com/RA-request.
JOB INFORMATION
【For Pay Transparency】Compensation Description (Annually) The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $254400 - $588000 annually. Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience, and location. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, and restricted stock units. Benefits may vary depending on the nature of employment and the country work location. Employees have day one access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) savings plan with company match, paid parental leave, short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, wellbeing benefits, among others. Employees also receive 10 paid holidays per year, 10 paid sick days per year and 17 days of Paid Personal Time (prorated upon hire with increasing accruals by tenure). The Company reserves the right to modify or change these benefits programs at any time, with or without notice.
FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY (UNINCORPORATED) CANDIDATES:
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Our company believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship on the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment:
1. Interacting and occasionally having unsupervised contact with internal/external clients and/or colleagues;
2. Appropriately handling and managing confidential information including proprietary and trade secret information and access to information technology systems; and
3. Exercising sound judgment.
INTRODUCTION
The Creation team is an international R&D group building creative capabilities for TikTok. We productize cutting-edge AI and multimedia technologies to create world-class creation experiences for TikTok users. Our work spans AI-powered creation, audio/video processing, AR effects, visual and graphics technologies, and full-stack product engineering across mobile, backend, frontend, and desktop. Our team operates globally across China, Singapore, and the United States. Within Creation, the Camera team owns TikTok's core capture and creation experiences, where users start creating and expressing themselves. The Camera Innovation team explores and builds new creation experiences by bringing together product engineering, AI, and multimedia technologies, with a strong focus on rapid experimentation and 0-to-1 innovation. We're looking for a hands-on Technical Lead Manager based in San Jose to lead the Camera Innovation team. This role is ideal for a technical leader who thrives in ambiguity, enjoys building 0-to-1 products, and is excited about turning rapidly evolving AI and multimedia technologies into compelling experiences for TikTok users.
Responsibilities
- Lead the Camera Innovation engineering team, providing hands-on technical leadership, mentorship, and people management.
- Drive technical direction and execution for new camera and creation experiences, from early exploration and prototyping to production.
- Explore and productize emerging AI and multimedia technologies into compelling user experiences.
- Navigate ambiguous and evolving problems, balancing rapid experimentation with technical quality and long-term foundations.
- Partner closely with Product, Design, Algorithm, and engineering teams to shape solutions and drive complex cross-functional initiatives.
- Mentor engineers, raise the team's technical bar, and foster a strong culture of innovation, ownership, and user impact.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- 5 years of hands-on software engineering experience, with strong technical depth in mobile, backend, AI, multimedia, or related areas.
- 1+ years of experience in people management or technical team leadership.
- Strong programming, system design, and software engineering fundamentals.
- Experience building and shipping complex user-facing products or technical systems.
- Strong problem-solving and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity and drive cross-functional initiatives.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience building 0-to-1 products or working in fast-moving, highly ambiguous environments.
- Experience with AI/ML, generative AI, computer vision, graphics, audio/video, or other multimedia technologies.
- Experience building consumer-facing creation, camera, or creative tools.
ABOUT TIKTOK
TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok's global headquarters are in Los Angeles and Singapore, and we also have offices in New York City, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.
WHY JOIN US
Inspiring creativity is at the core of TikTok's mission. Our innovative product is built to help people authentically express themselves, discover and connect – and our global, diverse teams make that possible. Together, we create value for our communities, inspire creativity and bring joy – a mission we work towards every day. We strive to do great things with great people. We lead with curiosity, humility, and a desire to make impact in a rapidly growing tech company. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and innovate as one team. We're resilient and embrace challenges as they come. By constantly iterating and fostering an "Always Day 1" mindset, we achieve meaningful breakthroughs for ourselves, our company, and our users. When we create and grow together, the possibilities are limitless. Join us.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
TikTok is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from across the globe and so does our workplace. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. To achieve that goal, we are committed to celebrating our diverse voices and to creating an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. We are passionate about this and hope you are too.
TIKTOK ACCOMMODATION
TikTok is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at https://tinyurl.com/RA-request.
JOB INFORMATION
【For Pay Transparency】Compensation Description (Annually) The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $254400 - $588000 annually. Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience, and location. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, and restricted stock units. Benefits may vary depending on the nature of employment and the country work location. Employees have day one access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) savings plan with company match, paid parental leave, short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, wellbeing benefits, among others. Employees also receive 10 paid holidays per year, 10 paid sick days per year and 17 days of Paid Personal Time (prorated upon hire with increasing accruals by tenure). The Company reserves the right to modify or change these benefits programs at any time, with or without notice.
FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY (UNINCORPORATED) CANDIDATES:
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Our company believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship on the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment:
1. Interacting and occasionally having unsupervised contact with internal/external clients and/or colleagues;
2. Appropriately handling and managing confidential information including proprietary and trade secret information and access to information technology systems; and
3. Exercising sound judgment.
See All 400+ Senior AI Software Engineer Jobs in California
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Find JobsSenior AI Software Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior AI Software Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Google43
- TikTok25
- Tesla22
- Apple20
- AMD14
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software54
- Electronics & Hardware9
- Science & Research6
- Artificial Intelligence6
- Banking & Financial Services5
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior AI software engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, machine learning, or a related field
- Five or more years of software engineering experience with a focus on AI or machine learning systems
- Proficiency in Python and at least one deep learning framework such as PyTorch or TensorFlow
- Demonstrated experience deploying large-scale ML models in production cloud environments
- Strong background in distributed systems, data pipelines, and model optimization techniques
- Experience collaborating cross-functionally with research scientists and product teams on AI initiatives
Senior AI Software Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior ai software engineer in California?
Reaching the senior level in California typically requires a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or a closely related discipline combined with several years of hands-on experience building and shipping production AI systems. There is no state-issued license for this role in California, so advancement depends on a portfolio of measurable technical contributions, experience with large-scale infrastructure, and often a track of mentorship or technical leadership recognized by California employers in technology, defense, and life sciences.
How much do senior AI software engineers make in California?
Senior AI 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 senior ai software engineers in California?
Employers hiring senior ai software engineers in California right now include Google, TikTok, and Tesla, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's density of AI-focused headquarters and research labs means hiring activity is especially consistent across the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater Los Angeles corridors.
Which California cities have the most senior ai software engineer jobs?
San Francisco, San Jose, and Sunnyvale have the most senior ai software engineer openings in California. San Francisco and San Jose dominate because the Bay Area houses the global headquarters and core engineering campuses of the largest AI-driven technology companies, while Los Angeles has grown into a significant hub driven by entertainment tech, aerospace AI, and a rapidly expanding startup ecosystem.
Are there remote senior ai software engineer jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 61% of senior ai software engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how much of the work centers on code, model development, and cloud infrastructure rather than on-site hardware. The portions of the role most frequently offered remotely include model research, ML platform engineering, and data pipeline development.
How can I get hired as a senior ai software engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing an associate or junior machine learning engineer role and building toward seniority through measurable project ownership. Large California employers such as Google, Apple, and Salesforce run structured new-grad and university-hire programs that place candidates into AI and ML teams with mentorship built in. Lateral moves from software engineering, data science, or research engineering are also common. A strong GitHub portfolio demonstrating end-to-end model development, or a published contribution to an open-source AI project, gives California candidates a clear edge in a crowded applicant pool.
Where can I find and apply to senior ai software engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to senior ai software engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and location, and apply directly through each listing.
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