Systems Development Engineer Jobs in California
Systems Development Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in cloud infrastructure, distributed systems, and automation tooling across the technology, defense, and enterprise software sectors, with openings at every level from early-career to principal engineer. The Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles account for the largest share of hiring, with employers like Google, Amazon, and Northrop Grumman maintaining deep and ongoing demand for systems development engineers in the state. The most in-demand specialties are cloud platform engineering, CI/CD pipeline development, and large-scale infrastructure automation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 107+ Systems Development Engineer jobs











DESCRIPTION
Employer: Amazon Data Services, Inc.
Position: System Development Engineer II - AMZ27380.1
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Multiple Positions Available:
Build tools that automate and streamline processes to make fleet operations more efficient. Respond to large scale events involving these fleets. Diagnose and fix critical software and system failures. Serve as a mentor and resource to other engineers and assist in training new engineers. Provide first line of defense daytime support for operational tickets for all software development teams within the organization. Propose, drive and implement technical solutions for automation, efficiency and scalability. Partner with the software development teams to support corporate infrastructure systems and perform database queries (SQL) using Window, Linux or Unix based operating systems and SQL Server databases. Provide support and technical consultation to Amazon internal customers.
(40 hours / week, 8:00am-5:00pm, Salary Range $187741 - $201200)
Amazon.com is an Equal Opportunity – Affirmative Action Employer – Minority / Female / Disability / Veteran / Gender Identity / Sexual Orientation
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent in Computer Science, Engineering, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field and one year of experience in the job offered, or as a Systems Administrator, or a related occupation. Employer will accept three years of experience in the job offered or related as equivalent to the Bachelor's degree and one year of experience. Must have one year of experience in the following skill(s): supporting large-scale, multi-tiered, multi-threaded, distributed software applications, tools, systems, and services; designing and implementing platforms to deliver provisioning using shell scripting; experience with programming languages including SQL, PowerShell, Perl, Bash, Python, PHP, or Ruby; supporting and maintaining database servers including MySQL, Oracle, or equivalent database; and troubleshooting systemic problems in a Windows, Linux, or Unix based environment.
The pay range for this position in Santa Clara, CA is $187741 - $201200 (yr); however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A sign-on bonus and restricted stock units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. This information is provided by California Equal Pay Act. Base pay information is based on market location. Applicants should apply via Amazon's internal or external careers site.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
All applicants must meet all the above listed requirements.
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
See All 107+ Systems Development Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSystems Development Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Systems Development Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Amazon30

- Monolithic Power Systems11

- Amazon Web Services6

- NVIDIA5

- Environmental Systems Research Institute4

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software43
- Electronics & Hardware20
- Manufacturing12
- E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces8
- Retail8
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in systems development engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related technical field
- Proficiency in at least one systems-level language such as Python, Java, or C++
- Experience designing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines and automated build systems
- Hands-on knowledge of cloud platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure
- Familiarity with containerization and orchestration tools including Docker and Kubernetes
- Strong understanding of Linux or Unix operating environments and scripting
Systems Development Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a systems development engineer in California?
The standard path into systems development engineering in California starts with a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related discipline. California does not require a state-issued license or registration for this role. Most employers expect hands-on experience with cloud infrastructure, automation frameworks, and scripting languages, which candidates typically build through internships, university project work, or open-source contributions before their first full-time hire.
How much do systems development engineers make in California?
Systems development 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 systems development engineers in California?
Employers hiring systems development engineers in California right now include Amazon, Monolithic Power Systems, and Amazon Web Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's dense concentration of technology headquarters, defense contractors, and enterprise software firms means that hiring for this role is distributed across multiple industries rather than a single dominant sector.
Which California cities have the most systems development engineer jobs?
Cupertino, San Jose, and Sunnyvale have the most systems development engineer openings in California. The Bay Area leads because of its unmatched concentration of cloud and infrastructure-focused technology companies, while San Diego's defense and cybersecurity industry drives demand in the south, and Los Angeles draws hiring through its growing enterprise software and entertainment technology base.
Are there remote systems development engineer jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 9% of systems development engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting the fact that infrastructure automation and platform work can often be done entirely from a distance. The most fully remote roles tend to be in CI/CD tooling, cloud operations, and internal developer platform teams where output is measured by deployments and uptime rather than physical presence.
How can I get hired as a systems development engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a university new-graduate program at a large California technology employer, where structured rotations or associate SDE roles are designed for candidates without professional experience. Companies like Google, Apple, and Amazon run formal university hiring programs in California that accept candidates whose strongest asset is a technical degree and a demonstrable personal or academic project portfolio. Candidates who can show working code, a deployed side project, or contributions to open-source infrastructure tools consistently stand out over those who rely on coursework alone.
Where can I find and apply to systems development engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to systems development engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state right now. Find roles that match your experience and specialization, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 107+ Systems Development Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs