Software Systems Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California
Software systems engineer visa sponsorship jobs in California are concentrated in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where companies like Google, Apple, Qualcomm, and Northrop Grumman regularly hire and sponsor international engineers. California's tech and defense sectors drive consistent demand for systems engineering expertise at all career levels.
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NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It’s a unique legacy of innovation that’s fueled by great technology—and amazing people. Today, we’re tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what’s never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world’s best talent. As an NVIDIAN, you’ll be immersed in a diverse, supportive environment where everyone is inspired to do their best work. Come join the team and see how you can make a lasting impact on the world.
We are seeking an energetic, hardworking Motion / Trajectory planning and controls senior software engineer to develop key features for our autonomous driving platform. In this role, you will work on a mix of Trajectory planning, Motion Planning and control problems to build focused software solutions. Through effective collaboration with established teams, you will help design and mature new products all the way through to production.
What you'll be doing:
Maturing and productizing new features entails a diversity of activities, including:
- Developing optimization algorithms
- Modeling desired L2/L3/L4 vehicle behavior and driving modes as an optimal-control problems
- Designing the overall software architecture for a particular feature or component
- Maturing prototype software to production quality
What we need to see:
- PhD with 1+ year, MS with 3+ years, or BS (or equivalent experience) with 5+ years of relevant experience in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field
- Experience writing software in C++
- Your ability to demonstrate strong skills in applied mathematics is essential. Proficiency with core concepts in linear algebra, differential equations, numerical methods and convex optimization
- Comfort with an Agile/Scrum software development environment in Linux using GitLab, JIRA, Gerrit (or similar)
Ways to stand out from the crowd:
- Experience in working in product development and vehicle test environment
- Expertise in developing optimization solvers: linear, quadratic, second-order cone, and fully nonlinear, and their applications in model-predictive control systems for vehicle dynamic models
- Experience working with motion planning algorithms (A, D, RRTs, etc.) and using ML for planning will be an added advantage
Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 152,000 USD - 241,500 USD for Level 3, and 184,000 USD - 287,500 USD for Level 4. You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.
Applications for this job will be accepted at least until April 11, 2026. This posting is for an existing vacancy.
NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.
NVIDIA is committed to fostering a diverse work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It’s a unique legacy of innovation that’s fueled by great technology—and amazing people. Today, we’re tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what’s never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world’s best talent. As an NVIDIAN, you’ll be immersed in a diverse, supportive environment where everyone is inspired to do their best work. Come join the team and see how you can make a lasting impact on the world.
We are seeking an energetic, hardworking Motion / Trajectory planning and controls senior software engineer to develop key features for our autonomous driving platform. In this role, you will work on a mix of Trajectory planning, Motion Planning and control problems to build focused software solutions. Through effective collaboration with established teams, you will help design and mature new products all the way through to production.
What you'll be doing:
Maturing and productizing new features entails a diversity of activities, including:
- Developing optimization algorithms
- Modeling desired L2/L3/L4 vehicle behavior and driving modes as an optimal-control problems
- Designing the overall software architecture for a particular feature or component
- Maturing prototype software to production quality
What we need to see:
- PhD with 1+ year, MS with 3+ years, or BS (or equivalent experience) with 5+ years of relevant experience in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field
- Experience writing software in C++
- Your ability to demonstrate strong skills in applied mathematics is essential. Proficiency with core concepts in linear algebra, differential equations, numerical methods and convex optimization
- Comfort with an Agile/Scrum software development environment in Linux using GitLab, JIRA, Gerrit (or similar)
Ways to stand out from the crowd:
- Experience in working in product development and vehicle test environment
- Expertise in developing optimization solvers: linear, quadratic, second-order cone, and fully nonlinear, and their applications in model-predictive control systems for vehicle dynamic models
- Experience working with motion planning algorithms (A, D, RRTs, etc.) and using ML for planning will be an added advantage
Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 152,000 USD - 241,500 USD for Level 3, and 184,000 USD - 287,500 USD for Level 4. You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.
Applications for this job will be accepted at least until April 11, 2026. This posting is for an existing vacancy.
NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.
NVIDIA is committed to fostering a diverse work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Software Systems Engineer Job Roles in California
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Search Software Systems Engineer Jobs in CaliforniaSoftware Systems Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for software systems engineers in California?
Large tech employers including Google, Apple, Meta, and Cisco have established sponsorship programs for software systems engineers in California. Defense and aerospace contractors like Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and Lockheed Martin also sponsor, though some roles require security clearances that limit eligibility for foreign nationals. Mid-size software firms and semiconductor companies across Silicon Valley and San Diego also file sponsorship petitions regularly.
Which visa types are most common for software systems engineer roles in California?
The H-1B is the most common visa category for software systems engineers in California, as the role typically qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, systems engineering, or a related field. L-1B visas appear when engineers transfer within a multinational company. O-1A is an option for engineers with an exceptional record of publications, patents, or industry recognition.
Which cities in California have the most software systems engineer sponsorship jobs?
The San Francisco Bay Area, including San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, and Mountain View, accounts for the largest share of software systems engineer sponsorship positions in California. Los Angeles has a growing cluster driven by aerospace, entertainment technology, and startups. San Diego is a strong market for systems engineers in defense, wireless communications, and biotech, anchored by companies like Qualcomm and General Atomics.
How to find software systems engineer visa sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship availability, making it straightforward to find software systems engineer roles in California without sorting through positions that don't offer sponsorship. You can narrow results by location, employer type, and experience level. Because California has a high volume of sponsoring employers, new sponsorship postings appear frequently, so checking Migrate Mate regularly improves your chances of applying early.
Are there any California-specific considerations for software systems engineers seeking visa sponsorship?
California's prevailing wage requirements under Department of Labor rules apply to H-1B petitions filed in the state, and Bay Area wage levels are among the highest in the country, which affects what employers must pay sponsored engineers. California universities including UC Berkeley, Stanford, and UCLA produce a significant pipeline of OPT-eligible engineers that many local employers actively recruit, meaning some companies have experience managing the sponsorship process from OPT through H-1B.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored software systems engineer jobs in California?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
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