Top 10 Software Engineering Jobs in San Francisco for 2025

Introduction

San Francisco continues to thrive as a global hub for technology in 2025. With AI breakthroughs, strong venture capital investment, and constant startup growth, the city remains one of the best places for software engineers to advance their careers. Rising demand across AI, fintech, and SaaS means opportunities are booming for professionals at every level.

1. AI/ML Engineer

AI/ML Engineers design and implement models that enable systems to learn, adapt, and make predictions without human intervention. In San Francisco, these professionals are at the heart of AI research and product innovation, working on applications from natural language processing to autonomous vehicles. With the city’s leadership in AI startups, this role is one of the fastest-growing.

• Salary Range: $150,000–$220,000+

• Hiring: OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, AI-focused startups

2. Full-Stack Developer

Full-Stack Developers bridge the gap between frontend and backend systems, ensuring seamless product experiences. They work on everything from designing responsive interfaces to optimizing server-side performance. In San Francisco’s fast-paced startup ecosystem, their versatility makes them invaluable for rapid product iteration and scaling.

• Salary Range: $130,000–$190,000

• Hiring: Airbnb, Stripe, early-stage SaaS firms

3. Cloud Infrastructure Engineer

Cloud Infrastructure Engineers architect, deploy, and manage cloud-based environments to ensure systems are secure, scalable, and reliable. They are essential for organizations migrating to cloud-first strategies and need strong expertise in AWS, GCP, or Azure. San Francisco’s SaaS and enterprise tech giants are competing fiercely for this talent.

• Salary Range: $145,000–$200,000

• Hiring: Salesforce, AWS, Google Cloud

4. Cybersecurity Engineer

Cybersecurity Engineers design systems to protect digital infrastructure against increasingly sophisticated threats. They implement firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption technologies, while also conducting risk assessments. In San Francisco, the boom in fintech and crypto firms has amplified the demand for specialists in this area.

• Salary Range: $140,000–$210,000

• Hiring: CrowdStrike, Coinbase, Wells Fargo

5. Data Engineer

Data Engineers are responsible for building and maintaining data pipelines that allow organizations to process, analyze, and draw insights from vast amounts of data. They work with big data tools like Spark and Kafka to ensure accuracy and scalability. With San Francisco’s focus on AI and analytics, this role is central to most data-driven companies.

• Salary Range: $135,000–$195,000

• Hiring: Uber, Instacart, fintech firms

6. DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers create automated workflows that connect development and operations, reducing friction between teams and accelerating product delivery. They build CI/CD pipelines, manage containers, and monitor infrastructure to ensure maximum uptime. In San Francisco’s competitive startup environment, their ability to streamline deployment is a critical advantage.

• Salary Range: $130,000–$185,000

• Hiring: Dropbox, Asana, SaaS scaleups

7. Mobile App Developer

Mobile App Developers create apps for iOS and Android, often using Swift, Kotlin, or cross-platform frameworks like React Native. Their work requires a mix of technical skill and UX sensitivity, as mobile apps must be both functional and user-friendly. In San Francisco, demand is high due to the city’s reliance on mobile-first platforms in industries like delivery, ride-sharing, and gaming.

• Salary Range: $125,000–$175,000

• Hiring: Lyft, DoorDash, gaming startups

8. Frontend Engineer

Frontend Engineers specialize in crafting the user-facing side of applications with frameworks like React and Next.js. They collaborate closely with designers to translate creative concepts into fast, responsive digital experiences. In San Francisco, where competition for user attention is fierce, companies prioritize hiring engineers who can elevate design into smooth functionality.

• Salary Range: $120,000–$170,000

• Hiring: Pinterest, Notion, design-forward startups

9. Backend Engineer

Backend Engineers power the “invisible” side of applications, building APIs, databases, and microservices that allow systems to run smoothly at scale. Their work ensures data security, reliability, and system performance. San Francisco companies hiring in fintech, SaaS, and social media heavily depend on backend experts to support their growth.

• Salary Range: $130,000–$185,000

• Hiring: Slack, X (Twitter), enterprise SaaS

10. Blockchain Engineer

Blockchain Engineers design and maintain decentralized applications and protocols, often working on financial systems, NFTs, or Web3 infrastructure. They require deep knowledge of smart contracts and distributed ledgers. In San Francisco’s fintech and crypto ecosystem, this role remains highly attractive despite broader market volatility.

• Salary Range: $140,000–$210,000

• Hiring: Ripple, Kraken, blockchain startups

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