Senior C Software Engineer Jobs in California
Senior C Software Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in aerospace and defense, embedded systems, automotive software, and enterprise infrastructure across a state that houses some of the world's densest engineering talent. The heaviest hiring happens in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where companies like Qualcomm, Northrop Grumman, and Apple maintain large engineering workforces and consistently recruit for senior-level systems and embedded expertise. The most in-demand specialties are real-time systems programming, embedded firmware development, and high-performance computing. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Overview
Bring your 2D/3D programming expertise to a team that's building tools with real-world impact. We're enhancing the 3D analytic capabilities of ArcGIS, the world's leading geospatial platform, and we're looking for developers who are passionate about writing clean, efficient code and solving complex spatial challenges.
In this role, you'll contribute to a modular, high-performance codebase that supports advanced 3D visualization and analysis for professionals across industries—including urban planning, architecture, and engineering. You'll design and implement robust data structures, apply advanced algorithms, and help shape a platform used by millions worldwide.
We value strong problem-solving skills, a collaborative mindset, and a commitment to continuous learning. If you're excited about building scalable software that makes a difference, we'd love to connect with you.
Check out what this team is working on: https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-3d-analyst/overview
Responsibilities
- Build C++ software components that follow industry-standard design patterns, development methodologies, and deployment models
- Work closely with product engineers to implement requirements and create application architectures and API to meet product goals
- Create solutions for spatial data access and management of large datasets that are stored in a spatial database or file system
- Design and develop stable software that includes automated test validation
- Develop reusable components and libraries for use internally and as open source
- Work within agile processes for short cycle, fast-paced delivery
- Drive high-impact initiatives that challenge conventional boundaries and deliver breakthrough results
- Solve and articulate complex problems through application design, development, and exemplary user experiences
Requirements
- 5+ years of experience working with Modern C++
- Experience with 3D graphics APIs such as WebGPU, OpenGL, or DirectX
- Understanding of algorithms, data structures, and design patterns
- Strong math skills and expertise in computational geometry, topology, and data modeling for terrain and surface analysis
- Experience working with large datasets of vector and terrain/lidar data as well as data structures for storing, manipulating, and visualizing 3D data
- Experience with workflow computing, for example UI programming, scripting, and test authoring
- Knowledge of Agile development methodologies and test-driven development processes
- Prior experience with the development and release of commercial software
- Excellent problem-solving, design, development, and debugging skills
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, GIS, or related field
Recommended Qualifications
- Knowledge of parallel, multi-core, and distributed programming techniques including heterogeneous multi-core environments (GPUs + CPUs, CUDA)
- Experience building file-based solutions and/or with databases and data access technologies
- Experience with application scripting languages (such as Python, JavaScript) and web protocols and formats such as REST and JSON
- Experience developing software that runs in a cloud
- Familiarity with ArcGIS or other web mapping technologies
- Master's degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, GIS, or related field
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The Company
At Esri, diversity is more than just a word on a map. When employees of different experiences, perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures come together, we are more innovative and ultimately a better place to work. We believe in having a diverse workforce that is unified under our mission of creating positive global change. We understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion is not a destination but an ongoing process. We are committed to the continuation of learning, growing, and changing our workplace so every employee can contribute to their life's best work. Our commitment to these principles extends to the global communities we serve by creating positive change with GIS technology. For more information on Esri's Racial Equity and Social Justice initiatives, please visit our website here.
If you don't meet all of the preferred qualifications for this position, we encourage you to still apply!
Esri is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email askcareers@esri.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this e-mail address.
Esri Privacy Esri takes our responsibility to protect your privacy seriously. We are committed to respecting your privacy by providing transparency in how we acquire and use your information, giving you control of your information and preferences, and holding ourselves to the highest national and international standards, including CCPA and GDPR compliance.
See All 14 Senior C Software Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSenior C Software Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior C Software Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Esri3

- Artech1

- C&S Wholesale Grocers1

- ENTRUST Solutions1

- Environmental Systems Research Institute1

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software9
- Consulting & Professional Services5
- Distribution & Wholesale1
- Medical Devices1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior C software engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or electrical engineering
- Five or more years of production-level C programming experience in systems or embedded environments
- Deep knowledge of memory management, pointers, and low-level hardware interfaces
- Experience with real-time operating systems such as VxWorks, FreeRTOS, or POSIX-compliant systems
- Proficiency with debugging tools, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and embedded development environments
- Familiarity with version control systems and collaborative development workflows such as Git
Senior C Software Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior c software engineer in California?
Senior c software engineer roles in California do not require a state-issued license, but the path to senior-level positions typically runs through a computer science or electrical engineering degree followed by several years writing production C in embedded, systems, or aerospace environments. California employers in defense and aerospace often require or strongly prefer candidates who can obtain a federal security clearance, which adds an additional qualification layer. Building a portfolio of firmware or systems projects and contributing to open-source C repositories significantly strengthens a candidacy for senior roles at California companies.
How much do senior C software engineers make in California?
Senior 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 senior c software engineers in California?
Employers hiring senior c software engineers in California right now include Esri, Artech, and C&S Wholesale Grocers, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, semiconductor companies, and defense contractors makes it one of the deepest markets in the country for senior-level C engineering talent.
Which California cities have the most senior c software engineer jobs?
The cities with the most senior c software engineer openings in California are Redlands, Mountain View, and Pomona. The distribution reflects California's major engineering corridors: the Bay Area's dense concentration of semiconductor and infrastructure companies drives volume in the north, while San Diego's established defense and wireless industry base and Los Angeles's aerospace and entertainment technology sectors sustain strong demand in the south.
Are there remote senior c software engineer jobs in California?
Yes, and more than many engineering disciplines, though the share depends heavily on the sub-specialty. About 36% of senior c software engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting that some systems work is lab-bound. The roles most likely to be fully remote are those focused on application-layer C development, toolchain engineering, or platform work that does not require physical access to hardware.
How can I get hired as a senior c software engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an associate or junior embedded software engineer role, then building toward senior standing over time. Large California defense and aerospace employers like Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin run new-graduate hiring programs that accept strong computer engineering or computer science graduates with relevant coursework in operating systems and C. Candidates who come from adjacent roles such as hardware verification engineer, firmware test engineer, or systems integration engineer have a concrete path sideways into C development. A personal portfolio of embedded or systems projects on GitHub gives a candidate without commercial experience a tangible signal of capability.
Where can I find and apply to senior c software engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to senior c software engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across defense, semiconductor, automotive, and enterprise sectors. Find the roles that fit your experience and specialization and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 14 Senior C Software Engineer Jobs in California
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