Software Systems Engineer Jobs in California
Software Systems Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor design, enterprise software, and advanced manufacturing, with openings at every level from junior systems engineer through principal and staff engineer. The largest hiring markets are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where established employers such as Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Qualcomm maintain deep engineering workforces. Embedded systems, systems integration, and model-based design are the specialties drawing the most consistent demand across California's defense corridor and Silicon Valley. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 285+ Software Systems Engineer jobs
It all started when engineer Fred Luddy wrote code that automated a tedious task for his coworker, Phyllis. She cried tears of joy. That moment inspired Fred to build a company that could do that for everyone—freeing people from busywork so they could focus on meaningful work. Today, ServiceNow is the AI control tower for business reinvention. Our ServiceNow AI platform brings together any AI, any data, and any workflow— helping 85% of the Fortune 500® work smarter, faster, and better. We're building an AI-native culture where technology and talent are unstoppable together. And we're just getting started.
Join us to put AI to work for people.
Job Description
Position Location:
This is a Flexible (Hybrid) position. Flexible positions require 2 days per week in a ServiceNow office location. We have offices in several locations, including San Francisco, CA; Pleasanton, CA; Santa Clara, CA; San Diego, CA; and Kirkland, WA
Please Note: This position will include supporting our US Regulated Markets.
“This position requires passing a ServiceNow background screening, USFedPASS (US Federal Personnel Authorization Screening Standards). This includes a credit check, criminal/misdemeanor check and taking a drug test. Any employment is contingent upon passing the screening. Due to Federal requirements, only US citizens, US naturalized citizens or US Permanent Residents, holding a green card, will be considered.
About the team:
We are seeking a Staff Software Engineer (IC4 Level) to join our Data Platform Engineering organization. You are a strong hands-on contributor who will own well-scoped components and projects within the team and deliver them end-to-end.
What you get to do in this role:
- You will design, build, and operate components and services within the cloud-native platform, taking features from design through to production.
- You will lead well-scoped projects within your team, turning requirements and rough ideas into solid technical designs and delivering them.
- You will collaborate with senior, staff, and principal engineers to align your work with the platform’s architecture and standards.
- You will contribute to the reliability, scalability, and operability of what you build — writing tests and instrumentation, improving runbooks, and participating in on-call.
- You will spend most of your time hands-on building — operators, controllers, automation, and platform services that other teams depend on.
- You will help onboard and mentor junior engineers through code review, design feedback, and pairing.
Qualifications
To be successful in this role you have:
- Experience leveraging or critically thinking about how to integrate AI into engineering work — whether using AI-powered coding and operational tooling, automating workflows, or reasoning about how AI changes the way software and infrastructure are built.
- 8+ years of software development experience with a Bachelor's degree; OR 5+ years with a Master's degree; OR 3+ years with a PhD; OR equivalent work experience.
- 5+ years of hands-on experience building, deploying and operating workloads on Kubernetes.
- Working experience with at least one major hyperscaler (AWS, Azure, GCP), including its core compute, networking, and IAM primitives.
- A track record of delivering complex features or services as a key contributor.
- Solid working knowledge of containers, CI/CD and GitOps-based delivery, and infrastructure-as-code.
- Strong programming skills in Go (or another systems language with a willingness to work primarily in Go).
It also helps if you have:
- Experience building Kubernetes controllers or working with the operator pattern.
- Familiarity with container networking (CNI) or service mesh.
- Experience with workload identity, mTLS, or secrets management.
- Experience with observability — metrics, tracing, and dashboards.
- Experience with managed Kubernetes (EKS/AKS/GKE) and infrastructure-as-code tools such as Terraform.
For positions in this location, we offer a base pay of $149,800 - $262,200, plus equity (when applicable), variable/incentive compensation and benefits. Sales positions generally offer a competitive On Target Earnings (OTE) incentive compensation structure. Please note that the base pay shown is a guideline, and individual total compensation will vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies, and work location. We also offer health plans, including flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) Plan with company match, ESPP, matching donations, a flexible time away plan and family leave programs. Compensation is based on the geographic location in which the role is located and is subject to change based on work location.
Additional Information
Work Personas
We approach our distributed world of work with flexibility and trust. Work personas (flexible, remote, or required in office) are categories that are assigned to ServiceNow employees depending on the nature of their work and their assigned work location. Learn more here. To determine eligibility for a work persona, ServiceNow may confirm the distance between your primary residence and the closest ServiceNow office using a third-party service.
Equal Opportunity Employer
ServiceNow is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity, veteran status, or any other category protected by law. In addition, all qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with legal requirements.
Accommodations
We strive to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are unable to use this online application and need an alternative method to apply, please contact globaltalentss@servicenow.com for assistance.
Export Control Regulations
For positions requiring access to controlled technology subject to export control regulations, including the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), ServiceNow may be required to obtain export control approval from government authorities for certain individuals. All employment is contingent upon ServiceNow obtaining any export license or other approval that may be required by relevant export control authorities.
From Fortune. ©2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license.
It all started when engineer Fred Luddy wrote code that automated a tedious task for his coworker, Phyllis. She cried tears of joy. That moment inspired Fred to build a company that could do that for everyone—freeing people from busywork so they could focus on meaningful work. Today, ServiceNow is the AI control tower for business reinvention. Our ServiceNow AI platform brings together any AI, any data, and any workflow— helping 85% of the Fortune 500® work smarter, faster, and better. We're building an AI-native culture where technology and talent are unstoppable together. And we're just getting started.
Join us to put AI to work for people.
Job Description
Position Location:
This is a Flexible (Hybrid) position. Flexible positions require 2 days per week in a ServiceNow office location. We have offices in several locations, including San Francisco, CA; Pleasanton, CA; Santa Clara, CA; San Diego, CA; and Kirkland, WA
Please Note: This position will include supporting our US Regulated Markets.
“This position requires passing a ServiceNow background screening, USFedPASS (US Federal Personnel Authorization Screening Standards). This includes a credit check, criminal/misdemeanor check and taking a drug test. Any employment is contingent upon passing the screening. Due to Federal requirements, only US citizens, US naturalized citizens or US Permanent Residents, holding a green card, will be considered.
About the team:
We are seeking a Staff Software Engineer (IC4 Level) to join our Data Platform Engineering organization. You are a strong hands-on contributor who will own well-scoped components and projects within the team and deliver them end-to-end.
What you get to do in this role:
- You will design, build, and operate components and services within the cloud-native platform, taking features from design through to production.
- You will lead well-scoped projects within your team, turning requirements and rough ideas into solid technical designs and delivering them.
- You will collaborate with senior, staff, and principal engineers to align your work with the platform’s architecture and standards.
- You will contribute to the reliability, scalability, and operability of what you build — writing tests and instrumentation, improving runbooks, and participating in on-call.
- You will spend most of your time hands-on building — operators, controllers, automation, and platform services that other teams depend on.
- You will help onboard and mentor junior engineers through code review, design feedback, and pairing.
Qualifications
To be successful in this role you have:
- Experience leveraging or critically thinking about how to integrate AI into engineering work — whether using AI-powered coding and operational tooling, automating workflows, or reasoning about how AI changes the way software and infrastructure are built.
- 8+ years of software development experience with a Bachelor's degree; OR 5+ years with a Master's degree; OR 3+ years with a PhD; OR equivalent work experience.
- 5+ years of hands-on experience building, deploying and operating workloads on Kubernetes.
- Working experience with at least one major hyperscaler (AWS, Azure, GCP), including its core compute, networking, and IAM primitives.
- A track record of delivering complex features or services as a key contributor.
- Solid working knowledge of containers, CI/CD and GitOps-based delivery, and infrastructure-as-code.
- Strong programming skills in Go (or another systems language with a willingness to work primarily in Go).
It also helps if you have:
- Experience building Kubernetes controllers or working with the operator pattern.
- Familiarity with container networking (CNI) or service mesh.
- Experience with workload identity, mTLS, or secrets management.
- Experience with observability — metrics, tracing, and dashboards.
- Experience with managed Kubernetes (EKS/AKS/GKE) and infrastructure-as-code tools such as Terraform.
For positions in this location, we offer a base pay of $149,800 - $262,200, plus equity (when applicable), variable/incentive compensation and benefits. Sales positions generally offer a competitive On Target Earnings (OTE) incentive compensation structure. Please note that the base pay shown is a guideline, and individual total compensation will vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies, and work location. We also offer health plans, including flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) Plan with company match, ESPP, matching donations, a flexible time away plan and family leave programs. Compensation is based on the geographic location in which the role is located and is subject to change based on work location.
Additional Information
Work Personas
We approach our distributed world of work with flexibility and trust. Work personas (flexible, remote, or required in office) are categories that are assigned to ServiceNow employees depending on the nature of their work and their assigned work location. Learn more here. To determine eligibility for a work persona, ServiceNow may confirm the distance between your primary residence and the closest ServiceNow office using a third-party service.
Equal Opportunity Employer
ServiceNow is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity, veteran status, or any other category protected by law. In addition, all qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with legal requirements.
Accommodations
We strive to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are unable to use this online application and need an alternative method to apply, please contact globaltalentss@servicenow.com for assistance.
Export Control Regulations
For positions requiring access to controlled technology subject to export control regulations, including the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), ServiceNow may be required to obtain export control approval from government authorities for certain individuals. All employment is contingent upon ServiceNow obtaining any export license or other approval that may be required by relevant export control authorities.
From Fortune. ©2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license.
See All 285+ Software Systems Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSoftware Systems Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Software Systems Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Apple16
- Tesla16
- OpenAI15
- Meta12
- NVIDIA10
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software23
- Science & Research12
- Electronics & Hardware7
- Retail3
- Artificial Intelligence2
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in software systems engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, computer science, or a related engineering discipline required
- Proficiency in systems modeling languages such as SysML or UML for architecture documentation
- Experience with requirements management tools including DOORS, Jama, or equivalent platforms
- Active DoD security clearance or eligibility to obtain one preferred for defense-sector roles
- Familiarity with model-based systems engineering practices and digital thread workflows
- Experience supporting system verification and validation testing within a California defense or aerospace environment
Software Systems Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a software systems engineer in California?
The most direct path is a bachelor's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science, followed by entry into a junior systems or software engineering role at a California defense contractor, semiconductor company, or enterprise software firm. California does not require a state license specifically for software systems engineers, though Professional Engineer licensure through the California Board for Professional Engineers can strengthen candidacy for senior roles. Building experience with systems modeling, verification, and integration is the key differentiator.
How much do software systems engineers make in California?
Software systems 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 software systems engineers in California?
Employers hiring software systems engineers in California right now include Apple, Tesla, and OpenAI, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, defense contractors, and semiconductor firms means demand runs consistently across Southern California's defense corridor and the Bay Area's technology sector.
Which California cities have the most software systems engineer jobs?
San Francisco, Palo Alto, and San Diego are the California cities with the most software systems engineer openings. The Bay Area's density of enterprise software and semiconductor employers drives volume in the north, while Los Angeles and San Diego reflect the strength of Southern California's aerospace and defense industry, where major program offices and engineering centers are based.
Are there remote software systems engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely software-focused roles, because systems engineering often involves hardware integration, lab testing, and program reviews that require on-site presence. About 54% of software systems engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with remote options concentrated in requirements analysis, architecture documentation, and model-based design work that does not depend on physical lab access.
How can I get hired as a software systems engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a new-graduate rotational or associate engineering program at a large California defense or aerospace employer, where candidates cycle through systems integration, test, and requirements disciplines before specializing. Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and Lockheed Martin all run structured early-career programs with California sites that hire new graduates. Adjacent roles such as systems test engineer, integration and test technician, or requirements analyst are common lateral starting points. A degree in systems or electrical engineering, even without work experience, is the primary qualifying credential.
Where can I find and apply to software systems engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to software systems engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly.
See All 285+ Software Systems Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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