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Associate Engineering Manager Jobs in Sunnyvale, CA

As a Senior Project Manager, you will lead complex, multidisciplinary projects that bring together ... An Associate degree in a relevant engineering field (e.g., civil, electrical, mechanical ...

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As a Senior Project Manager, you will lead complex, multidisciplinary projects that bring together ... An Associate degree in a relevant engineering field (e.g., civil, electrical, mechanical ...

New

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Associate Engineering Manager information

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$14

$29

$59

How much do associate engineering manager jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate engineering manager in Sunnyvale, CA is $29.83, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.34 and $35.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate engineering manager?

Associate Engineering Managers are early-career leaders who support engineering teams by overseeing projects, coordinating team members, and helping deliver technical solutions. They typically assist senior engineering managers by handling daily operations, tracking project progress, and facilitating communication between engineers and other departments. This role often serves as a stepping stone to higher management positions and requires both technical expertise and strong leadership skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate engineering manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Engineering Manager, you need a solid background in engineering principles, experience leading projects, and typically a relevant degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with project management tools (like Jira or Asana), version control systems (such as Git), and sometimes Agile certifications is highly valued. Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills help in motivating teams and managing stakeholder expectations. These skills and qualities are essential for ensuring project success, fostering team development, and delivering high-quality engineering outcomes.

What are the primary challenges faced by an associate engineering manager when transitioning from an individual contributor role?

One of the main challenges Associate Engineering Managers encounter during this transition is balancing technical responsibilities with new leadership duties. Instead of focusing solely on coding or technical tasks, you will need to prioritize mentoring, project management, and facilitating team collaboration. This shift often requires developing strong communication skills and the ability to delegate effectively while still staying engaged with technical decisions. Navigating these changes successfully can set the foundation for further leadership opportunities.

What is the difference between Associate Engineering Manager vs Software Engineer?

AspectAssociate Engineering ManagerSoftware Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering or related field; some roles prefer management or leadership experienceBachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or related field
Work EnvironmentLeads teams, manages projects, collaborates with cross-functional teamsDevelops, tests, and maintains software applications
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in tech companies, startups, and large corporations for team leadership rolesCommon across all tech and software development companies
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding managerial responsibilities and career progressionFocus on technical skills and coding responsibilities

The Associate Engineering Manager role bridges technical expertise and team leadership, overseeing projects and guiding engineers. In contrast, Software Engineers focus primarily on coding and technical development. While both roles require a strong technical background, the Associate Engineering Manager also emphasizes leadership, project management, and cross-team collaboration.

Are associate engineering managers in demand?

Associate engineering managers are in growing demand as companies seek professionals with leadership skills, technical expertise, and project management abilities. The role often requires knowledge of tools like Agile or Scrum and relevant certifications, making it a valuable position in technology and engineering sectors.

What does an associate engineering manager get paid?

An associate engineering manager's salary typically ranges from $80,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. They often have a background in engineering and may oversee small teams or projects, with compensation reflecting their leadership and technical skills.

What are popular job titles related to Associate Engineering Manager jobs in Sunnyvale, CA?

For Associate Engineering Manager jobs in Sunnyvale, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Associate Engineering Manager jobs in Sunnyvale, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Engineering Manager jobs in Sunnyvale, CA are:

What cities near Sunnyvale, CA are hiring for Associate Engineering Manager jobs?

Cities near Sunnyvale, CA with the most Associate Engineering Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Engineering Manager job openings in Sunnyvale, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,042 per year, or $29.8 per hour.

Systems Engineering, Integration and Test Manager

Pacific Defense

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Lead the process of validating NERVE software releases prior to delivery at the system level and in the field.

  • Oversee the installation and validation of firmware and software prior to customer delivery.

  • Manage a team of engineers, providing technical guidance and fostering professional growth.


Job description

Description

Due to the classified nature of our work, U.S. citizenship is required. Candidate must meet the eligibility to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance.

Location: Sunnyvale, CA

About Us 

Pacific Defense is a leading developer of advanced electronics systems for the U.S. Department of Defense and commercial customers. Our team specializes in Open Systems Architecture solutions for the non-kinetic fight, providing customers with cost-effective, modular, and rapidly reconfigurable systems in record time. We deliver sensing and effects solutions for land, air, sea, and space domains, leveraging open standards and rapid prototyping methodologies to bring innovative capabilities to the market. Pacific Defense has built an excellent reputation in the defense industry and is expanding our team to tackle new challenges and opportunities. Join us and accelerate your career!

Pacific Defense’s commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) Nerve family of systems provides a CMOSS/SOSA aligned open and modular ecosystem for multi-waveform command and control (C2) missions. We are seeking a motivated and experienced Manager of the NERVE Engineering and Delivery team. This individual will lead a product focused team in product definition, development, and delivery.

The manager will ensure a consistent and industry leading user experience throughout the product. They will manage the process of validating NERVE software releases prior to delivery at the system level and in the field. They will oversee the installation and validation of firmware and software prior to customer delivery enabling customer delivery in a predictable, timely and affordable manner. They will facilitate the development of product documentation and customer training.

Requirements

  • Demonstrated success in developing and optimizing processes that improve execution efficiency and ensure consistent on-time delivery of complex technical projects.
  • Proven ability to lead the transition of systems from proof of concept to full-scale production deployment, aligning technical execution with strategic objectives.
  • Proven expertise in software engineering including the integration of software components developed by multiple organizations.
  • Track record of partnering closely with manufacturing teams to ensure seamless handoff of systems, clear documentation, and production readiness.
  • Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
  • Experience with DoD acquisition lifecycle, system requirements verification, and test program execution.

Responsibilities

Team Leadership:

  • Hire, mentor, and manage a team of engineers, fostering professional growth and ensuring high morale.
  • Build a culture of innovation, ownership, and accountability within the team.

Technical Management:

  • Establish execution discipline through effective planning, milestone tracking, and proactive issue resolution to ensure timely delivery of commitments.
  • Provide technical guidance on integration and test development of the system and product designs.
  • Lead the transition of systems from prototype to production by establishing and refining processes that ensure scalability, repeatability, and production readiness.

Project Execution:

  • Oversee multiple projects and system deliveries, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and with high quality.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Mission Application developers, Systems Engineering, program managers, operations/manufacturing, supply chain and business development leaders to align on objectives and deliverables.

Stakeholder Communication:

  • Provide clear and concise updates to stakeholders, including project status, risks and milestones.
  • Act as a liaison between the engineering team and other departments to ensure alignment and transparency.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience establishing execution discipline and delivery accountability across cross-functional teams to achieve predictable, high-impact outcomes.
  • Experience integrating heterogeneous software applications, including those programmed in different languages, into an integrated SW/HW product.
  • Experience with test equipment, instrumentation, and scripting tools.
  • Capability to analyze test data, troubleshoot system-level issues, and drive resolution through cross-functional collaboration.
  • Knowledge of CMOSS, SOSA, MORA, Communication Waveforms (TSM, Silvus)
  • 12+ years of experience in integration and test engineering, preferably in the defense electronics or aerospace industry.

Education

  • Associates, Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.

Benefits

Benefits

Pacific Defense provides competitive salaries and immediately vested 401K match. We provide 100% coverage options for the employee, and 75% coverage for dependents’ medical, dental, vision, and life insurance premiums, as well as a flexible spending account for incidental health care expenses. We offer paid time off and federal holidays to spend time with family, pursue outside interests, or just get some extra rest.

Pacific Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor.