Top Software Engineer Jobs in San Diego, CA

Evaluate AI coding-agent interactions for usefulness, correctness, engineering judgment, reasoning quality, and developer trust. Provide clear, opinionated feedback, distinguish response-quality levels, and help define standards for excellent interactions with tools such as OpenAI Codex, Claude Code, and Cursor. This contract role requires staff- or principal-level software engineering experience and familiarity with modern AI-assisted development workflows.

Provide technical support and troubleshooting for autonomous ocean vehicle software; act as customer point of contact; produce integration guides and documentation; debug real-world deployments; assist with payload and feature integrations; collaborate with engineering to reproduce and fix issues; develop and maintain customer-facing Python utilities and tools.

Develop and maintain real-time sensor software solutions for autonomous vehicles, integrating AI/ML algorithms for various sensor systems across multiple domains.

Design, implement, and deliver user-experience applications in an Agile environment. Collaborate with systems, cloud, DevSecOps, and test teams to develop JEE/SOA enterprise solutions, GUIs, and prototypes. Apply OOP, JMS, web services, XML technologies, and multiple programming languages (Java, C, C++, Python). Participate in integration, test, build/release, and lifecycle processes. Work full-time on-site in San Diego, require Top Secret clearance and SAP access; travel up to 10%.

The role involves developing and maintaining C++ code for drone operations, creating new swarming algorithms, and collaborating on software architecture.

Develop and deliver scalable, distributed SaaS features for a clinical-trial software platform. Responsibilities include architecture and hands-on development, engineering best practices, technology innovation, cross-service and AI-powered feature integration, real-time systems, customer-focused product delivery, and mentoring software engineers. The role collaborates closely with a fast-moving team and contributes to the product roadmap.

The Sr. Flight Software Verification Engineer verifies embedded software for aviation systems, ensuring compliance with DO-178C standards through testing and tool qualification.

Design, develop and execute automated tests and integration/acceptance procedures for embedded software. Analyze requirements, debug issues, produce technical documentation, submit problem reports, and collaborate with systems, hardware, and test teams. Work full-time on-site supporting software lifecycle activities and test automation; travel up to 25%. Top Secret clearance and SAP access required.

Design, develop, and deliver Java JEE middle-layer enterprise solutions in a SOA environment. Collaborate with systems, cloud, DevSecOps, and test teams in Agile SDLC, implement object-oriented designs, JMS, web services, XML technologies, and participate in integration, testing, and release activities. On-site San Diego role requiring Top Secret clearance and SAP access.

Lead software engineering for high-throughput 5G NR wireless systems. Architect, design, develop, and code major PHY and L1 system features; mentor software engineers; improve development processes; collaborate with cross-functional engineering, systems design, and test teams; and integrate and validate 3GPP wireless technology concepts.

Lead the architecture, development, testing, debugging, and delivery of embedded firmware across multiple client projects. Define software architectures, drivers, middleware, RTOS configurations, and hardware interfaces; lead code and design reviews; mentor engineers; coordinate with clients and cross-functional teams; oversee testing and hardware bring-up; resolve complex integration issues; and support technical estimation, proposals, and production support.

Lead embedded software engineer developing and maintaining firmware for high-bandwidth Ethernet network switches. Responsibilities involve embedded Linux, Layers 2–4 networking protocols, precision timing synchronization with PTP, SNMP MIBs, DHCP port reservations, in-band port management, and diagnostic, system-monitoring, and built-in test utilities.

Lead architecture and re-architecture of HAL, telemetry, and C++ middleware for autonomous mobile robots. Integrate sensors, optimize embedded performance, drive migrations from Python to C++, mentor engineers, and ensure system reliability and observability across the robotics platform.

Develops driver, diagnostic, and embedded C++ software for intravascular ultrasound systems. Responsibilities include software architecture, hardware communication, requirements and design documentation, debugging, verification planning, and collaboration with electrical, transducer, catheter, manufacturing, and systems engineering teams. The role requires strong object-oriented programming experience and supports medical capital equipment development. Knowledge of digital signal processing, image processing, and CUDA is advantageous.

Lead technical strategy and architecture for data-centric solutions across programs. Oversee data acquisition, harmonization, processing, storage, analysis, dissemination, and product lifecycle. Serve as technical lead/Product Owner, define enterprise data standards, decompose backlogs, prioritize features, advise leadership on analytics opportunities, and ensure mission-focused delivery within high-clearance environments.

Design, develop, integrate, and test embedded real-time software—primarily cryptographic code—for multi-threaded systems. Collaborate with systems, hardware, and test teams in an Agile environment; perform architecture, debugging, static analysis, and lifecycle activities. Support DoD programs requiring security clearance and on-site work in Rancho Carmel, CA.

Design, develop, integrate, and test embedded real-time software for mission/flight-critical systems. Work on architecture, implementation, and SW lifecycle in Agile teams, collaborating with systems, DevSecOps, test, and cloud groups. Support integration, qualification, and delivery; maintain security clearances and obtain SAP access.

Design, develop, integrate, and test embedded real-time software—focused on cryptographic systems—for defense platforms. Architect secure RTOS-based firmware, integrate low-level drivers on ARM/SoC, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and follow Agile/DevSecOps lifecycle processes while meeting DoD clearance and program requirements.

Lead the Full Stack Software discipline by defining technical vision, governing tools/processes/training, building a community of practice, enabling sector-wide engineering toolchains, resolving technical shortfalls, embedding lessons learned, and improving software engineering KPIs and interoperability across multiple Aeronautics sites. This is a strategic leadership role focused on governance and enablement rather than day-to-day coding.

Lead software integration and test activities for complex systems: integrate components across Unix/Windows environments, develop and execute installation/integration/acceptance tests, troubleshoot multi-network issues, coordinate engineers and SMEs, produce technical documentation, and manage interim solutions to enable testing and operations.

Design, develop, integrate, and test embedded real-time and cryptographic software/firmware. Architect and administer embedded systems, collaborate with systems/hardware/integration teams in Agile, debug low-level multithreaded applications, and ensure full software lifecycle from requirements through testing. Position requires DoD Secret clearance and onsite work in Rancho Carmel, San Diego.

Design, develop, integrate, and test embedded real-time cryptographic software. Architect secure systems, implement crypto using libraries, work cross-functionally on Xilinx platforms, and follow full software lifecycle in an Agile environment. Must support integration, debugging, and networking functionality.

Develop, integrate, and test embedded real-time software for flight/mission-critical systems. Participate in full software lifecycle within Agile teams, work with RTOS and avionics interfaces, collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams, and maintain required DoD Top Secret clearance and SAP access while working on-site in San Diego.

Design, develop, integrate, and test embedded real-time software for Link-16 and tactical datalink systems. Architect and implement low-level firmware, debug multi-threaded embedded applications, work with cross-discipline teams in Agile, and support lab testing with tactical datalink radios and waveform troubleshooting. Must obtain Secret clearance and work onsite.

Maintain and ensure availability, stability, and health of distributed mission systems. Implement and automate CI/CD, configuration management, monitoring, and verification processes. Support software sustainment, system integration, and cross-functional coordination. Develop dashboards and reports, identify system deficiencies, and support testing and experimentation in secure, classified DoD environments.