Staff Software Developer Jobs in San Diego, CA
Staff Software Developer jobs in San Diego are concentrated in Sorrento Valley, UTC, and Torrey Pines, with strong demand across defense technology, biotech software, and cloud-native product companies. Employers hiring right now include Shield AI, Qualcomm, and Intuit. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 766+ Staff Software Developer jobs
Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Modem Technologies SoftwareGeneral Summary:
This individual leads, plans, synthesizes ambiguous or conflicting requirements and performs the complex responsibility of the engagement in the product development lifecycle from inception and design to bring-up, optimization, verification, and commercialization. Constructs a software abstraction layer to seamlessly support a variety of radio hardware configurations on a common protocol stack. Designs and implements test mode interfaces to enable hardware characterization and tuning procedures to optimize RF receive and transmit performance. Works on advanced radio frequency systems, applying broad expertise in antenna concepts, signal characterization, and control of standard RF components. Experienced with industry common hardware elements such as amplifiers, oscillators, frequency synthesizers, mixers, switches, sensors, and digital interfaces used in modern multi chip wireless transceiver platforms. Optimizes device control transactions to meet strict timing requirements for inter-RAT, multi SIM, and concurrent radio operations. Collaborates with multi-disciplinary teams within the overall modem organization: ASIC design, modem/RF systems, systems test, hardware, protocol, firmware, common software, power management. Acts as a strong contributor and provides technical leadership at design reviews and project meetings and communicates and implements a development plan.
Will accept a Bachelor's Degree (or foreign academic equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related degree field and five (5) years of progressive experience in a related occupation.
Pay Range: $155,000.00 - $232,600.00/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 Group, Engineering Group > Modem Technologies SoftwareGeneral Summary:
This individual leads, plans, synthesizes ambiguous or conflicting requirements and performs the complex responsibility of the engagement in the product development lifecycle from inception and design to bring-up, optimization, verification, and commercialization. Constructs a software abstraction layer to seamlessly support a variety of radio hardware configurations on a common protocol stack. Designs and implements test mode interfaces to enable hardware characterization and tuning procedures to optimize RF receive and transmit performance. Works on advanced radio frequency systems, applying broad expertise in antenna concepts, signal characterization, and control of standard RF components. Experienced with industry common hardware elements such as amplifiers, oscillators, frequency synthesizers, mixers, switches, sensors, and digital interfaces used in modern multi chip wireless transceiver platforms. Optimizes device control transactions to meet strict timing requirements for inter-RAT, multi SIM, and concurrent radio operations. Collaborates with multi-disciplinary teams within the overall modem organization: ASIC design, modem/RF systems, systems test, hardware, protocol, firmware, common software, power management. Acts as a strong contributor and provides technical leadership at design reviews and project meetings and communicates and implements a development plan.
Will accept a Bachelor's Degree (or foreign academic equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related degree field and five (5) years of progressive experience in a related occupation.
Pay Range: $155,000.00 - $232,600.00/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 766+ Staff Software Developer Jobs in San Diego
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Find Staff Software Developer JobsStaff Software Developer Job Market in San Diego
Who's Hiring
- Shield AI250
- Qualcomm183
- Intuit83
- Northrop Grumman67
- Brain50
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software133
- Telecommunications83
- Aerospace & Defense83
- Electronics & Hardware83
- Fintech17
Staff Software Developer Jobs in San Diego: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a staff software developer job in San Diego?
Focus your search on San Diego's defense and aerospace contractors in Sorrento Valley, the biotech and life sciences software teams clustered around Torrey Pines and La Jolla, and the cloud and SaaS product companies based in UTC and Kearny Mesa. Candidates who can show experience with embedded systems, distributed platforms, or regulated-industry software tend to stand out in this market. Applying directly to companies with active engineering teams in those corridors is the most efficient path.
Which companies hire staff software developers in San Diego?
Employers hiring staff software developers in San Diego right now include Shield AI, Qualcomm, and Intuit, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. San Diego's hiring market is anchored by a mix of large defense primes, venture-backed biotech software firms, and mid-size SaaS product companies, many of which maintain dedicated engineering offices in the city.
Are there remote staff software developer jobs in San Diego?
Yes, staff software developer roles are well-suited to remote and hybrid arrangements given that most of the work involves code, architecture decisions, and asynchronous collaboration. About 15% of staff software developer openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting broad adoption across the local tech sector. Back-end platform work and cloud infrastructure roles tend to be the most remote-friendly, while roles tied to defense or on-site lab environments typically require in-person presence.
How can I get a staff software developer job in San Diego with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in San Diego is targeting associate or mid-level software engineer roles at biotech software vendors in La Jolla or SaaS companies in UTC, where growth means teams promote quickly from within. Defense contractors in Sorrento Valley also hire junior engineers with clearance eligibility or relevant coursework. Completing a project portfolio focused on the tools these San Diego employers use, such as cloud infrastructure or embedded software, gives early-career candidates a concrete edge over generalist applicants.
Which industries hire the most staff software developers in San Diego?
The sectors hiring the most staff software developers in San Diego are Technology & Software, Telecommunications, and Aerospace & Defense, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. San Diego's concentration of defense contractors, life sciences companies with proprietary software platforms, and venture-funded product startups creates consistent demand across all three of those sectors.
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