Senior AI Software Engineer Jobs in San Diego, CA
Senior AI Software Engineer jobs in San Diego are in strong demand, concentrated in Sorrento Valley, Torrey Pines, and the UTC corridor across defense tech, biotech, and enterprise software. Employers hiring right now include Qualcomm, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Northrop Grumman. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 378+ Senior AI Software Engineer jobs
Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.Job Area:
Engineering Services Group, Engineering Services Group > Program ManagementGeneral Summary:
This individual independently plans, performs the moderately-defined responsibility for the planning, management, and control the Plan of Record (POR) for technology deliverables for AI-based products by ensuring project plans are implemented on schedule, within scope, and budget. Translates the organizational strategy and evolving product roadmaps into successful programs, and drive decisions necessary for program delivery by partnering with program sponsors and organizational leadership. Manages priorities based on organization strategy. Works closely with product management, technology core teams, systems, software, and other leads and program managers to ensure successful and timely delivery of a quality product. Roll-up and reporting regularly to senior management on key product development milestones, metrics, risks, risk mitigation plans, and staffing status. Risk management and disciplined management of information to internal and external key stakeholders. Organizes and leads interdepartmental meetings, to set project milestones, define project tasks, establish program policies and processes, and allocate resources. Ensures change control, priority changes, development reviews, and other product development processes are effectively implemented. Enables real-time visibility on project schedules and KPIs to management with dashboards and reports. Participates in design reviews and coordinate or assure compliance to design or department checklists and procedures. Supports the adoption of processes by applying best practices and identifying and recommending process improvement opportunities within respective programs. Manages Resources, Headcount, and Budget for the AI SW departments. Acts as a strong contributor at project meetings.
Will accept a Bachelor's Degree (or foreign academic equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related degree field and four (4) years of experience in a related occupation.
Pay Range: $154,400.00 - $231,600.00/year
Applicants : Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here . Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies : Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers .
Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.Job Area:
Engineering Services Group, Engineering Services Group > Program ManagementGeneral Summary:
This individual independently plans, performs the moderately-defined responsibility for the planning, management, and control the Plan of Record (POR) for technology deliverables for AI-based products by ensuring project plans are implemented on schedule, within scope, and budget. Translates the organizational strategy and evolving product roadmaps into successful programs, and drive decisions necessary for program delivery by partnering with program sponsors and organizational leadership. Manages priorities based on organization strategy. Works closely with product management, technology core teams, systems, software, and other leads and program managers to ensure successful and timely delivery of a quality product. Roll-up and reporting regularly to senior management on key product development milestones, metrics, risks, risk mitigation plans, and staffing status. Risk management and disciplined management of information to internal and external key stakeholders. Organizes and leads interdepartmental meetings, to set project milestones, define project tasks, establish program policies and processes, and allocate resources. Ensures change control, priority changes, development reviews, and other product development processes are effectively implemented. Enables real-time visibility on project schedules and KPIs to management with dashboards and reports. Participates in design reviews and coordinate or assure compliance to design or department checklists and procedures. Supports the adoption of processes by applying best practices and identifying and recommending process improvement opportunities within respective programs. Manages Resources, Headcount, and Budget for the AI SW departments. Acts as a strong contributor at project meetings.
Will accept a Bachelor's Degree (or foreign academic equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related degree field and four (4) years of experience in a related occupation.
Pay Range: $154,400.00 - $231,600.00/year
Applicants : Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here . Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies : Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers .
See All 378+ Senior AI Software Engineer Jobs in San Diego
Find roles in San Diego that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSenior AI Software Engineer Job Market in San Diego
Who's Hiring
- Qualcomm105
- Booz Allen Hamilton63
- Northrop Grumman42
- Apple21
- Eli Lilly21
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware42
- Telecommunications21
- Technology & Software21
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals21
Senior AI Software Engineer Jobs in San Diego: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior ai software engineer job in San Diego?
Focus your search on San Diego's defense and government contracting sector in Kearny Mesa and Sorrento Valley, the biotech and life sciences cluster near Torrey Pines, and the enterprise software companies in the UTC and Rancho Bernardo corridors. Candidates with experience in large language models, computer vision, or edge AI for embedded systems stand out in this market. Security clearance eligibility is a genuine edge for roles tied to defense primes.
Which companies hire senior ai software engineers in San Diego?
Companies currently hiring senior ai software engineers in San Diego include Qualcomm, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Northrop Grumman, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. The local market mixes large defense contractors and life sciences firms with a growing base of mid-size enterprise software and deep tech startups, many of them anchored near the UC San Diego research ecosystem.
Are there remote senior ai software engineer jobs in San Diego?
Yes, and this role lends itself well to remote work given its analytical and software-development nature. About 11% of senior ai software engineer openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, though roles at defense contractors typically require on-site presence. Model development, research, and MLOps work are the functions most commonly offered as fully remote locally.
How can I get a senior ai software engineer job in San Diego with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in San Diego is through mid-size biotech and healthtech companies near the Torrey Pines and Sorrento Valley corridors, which regularly hire junior AI or machine learning engineers who grow into senior roles. Contributing to research projects through UC San Diego or San Diego State University partnerships, or joining a startup as a full-stack engineer with an AI focus, builds the local portfolio that senior hiring managers look for.
Which industries hire the most senior ai software engineers in San Diego?
Most senior ai software engineer openings in San Diego sit in Electronics & Hardware, Telecommunications, and Technology & Software, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. San Diego's deep concentration of defense contractors, biotech research institutions, and telecommunications infrastructure companies makes it one of the few markets where AI engineering roles appear consistently across all three sectors simultaneously.
Related Jobs in California
See All 378+ Senior AI Software Engineer Jobs in San Diego
Find roles in San Diego that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs