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Chief Architect Software Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

As the Chief Architect - AI Systems at CXAPP you will play a pivotal role in driving our AI ... Software Architecture: Define and evolve the software architecture of our AI systems, ensuring ...

The right candidate is a strong systems thinker, an experienced software and architecture leader ... Partner with the current Chief Engineer to understand the architecture, technical roadmap ...

Chief Software Architect

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$187K - $300K/yr

Chief Software Architect LOCATION: El Segundo, CA REQUIRED SECURITY CLEARANCE: Active TS with SCI eligibility POSITION TYPE/STANDARD WORK HOURS: Full time, 40 hours THE OPPORTUNITY: Upon award ...

Chief Software Architect

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$187K - $300K/yr

Chief Software Architect LOCATION: El Segundo, CA REQUIRED SECURITY CLEARANCE: Active TS with SCI eligibility POSITION TYPE/STANDARD WORK HOURS: Full time, 40 hours THE OPPORTUNITY: Upon award, BTAS ...

System Architect

Santa Clara, CA

$287K/yr

... software, SI/PI, manufacturing, qualification, and customer engineering teams execute against ... Prior System Architect, Chief Architect, or Principal Systems Engineer role on a shipping 100G/lane ...

System Architect

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$287K/yr

... software, SI/PI, manufacturing, qualification, and customer engineering teams execute against ... Prior System Architect, Chief Architect, or Principal Systems Engineer role on a shipping 100G/lane ...

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Chief Architect Software information

See California salary details

$117.4K

$123.4K

$127.8K

How much do chief architect software jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief architect software in California is $123,363.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,900.00 and $125,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a chief architect software?

A Chief Architect Software is a senior technical leader responsible for defining and overseeing the overall software architecture within an organization. They ensure that systems are scalable, secure, and aligned with business goals while guiding engineering teams in best practices and technology choices. This role involves collaborating with stakeholders, setting technical standards, and making high-level design decisions to drive innovation and efficiency.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chief architect software?

To thrive as a Chief Architect Software, you need deep expertise in system architecture, software engineering principles, and enterprise-level solution design, typically supported by a degree in computer science or a related field and extensive industry experience. Familiarity with modern development frameworks, cloud platforms (such as AWS or Azure), architectural modeling tools, and certifications like TOGAF or AWS Certified Solutions Architect is highly valued. Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, communication, and collaboration skills distinguish top performers in this role. These abilities are essential for aligning technology strategy with business goals, driving innovation, and ensuring successful delivery of complex software systems.

What are the typical challenges faced by a chief architect software in a large organization?

Chief Architect Software professionals in large organizations often face the challenge of balancing short-term project demands with long-term architectural vision and scalability. They must navigate complex legacy systems, ensure interoperability across multiple platforms, and manage stakeholder expectations from both technical and business perspectives. Strong collaboration is required as they frequently work with cross-functional teams, including developers, product managers, and executive leadership. Additionally, keeping up-to-date with evolving technologies and industry standards is crucial for making informed design decisions that future-proof the company's software landscape.

What job categories do people searching Chief Architect Software jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Chief Architect Software jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Chief Architect Software job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $123,363 per year, or $59.3 per hour.

Software Chief Architect - AvionX

Boeing

Long Beach, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 24 days ago


Boeing rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 616 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

33rd of 545 rated manufacturers


Job description

Software Chief Architect - AvionX
Company:
The Boeing Company
The Boeing Company is looking for a Software Chief Architect - AvionX to join the AvionX Software team located in Long Beach, California. This position will focus on leading the AvionX Software Engineering organization.
The Chief Software Architect for AvionX Software Vertical is the highest software technical authority across airborne software programs from architecture definition through certification closure. This role owns the coherence, integrity, and DO-178C/LOR compliance posture of software architectures across commercial and defense platforms, bridging software engineering discipline with system-level safety objectives and regulatory strategy. This role is also responsible to work with Enterprise Software Engineering Organizations to enable SW engineering practices and processes, such as Fabric, Design Practices etc. to be implemented across all AvionX Programs.
Position Responsibilities:
  • Advises management on a wide range of topics related to the embedded software engineering environment
  • Consults on code for embedded systems software to run on specific specialized hardware
  • Directs testing and debugging of software for embedded devices and systems. Influences current and emerging technologies, tools, frameworks, and changes in regulations relevant to software development and hardware technologies
  • Directs the design, development, test, debugging and maintenance of software that is integrated into embedded devices and systems and meets industry, customer, safety and regulation standards
  • Directs the review, analyses, and translation of customer requirements into the design of software products for embedded devices and systems
  • Influences company approach regarding software and hardware integration domains
  • Oversees analyses, monitoring and improvement of the efficiency and stability of embedded software systems
  • Oversees tracking and evaluation of internal and supplier software team performance to ensure product and process compliance to project plans and industry standards
  • Provides consultation on integration of embedded software with hardware components
  • Provides technical leadership for embedded software project management functions

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/ Experience):
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance for which the U.S. Government requires U.S. Citizenship
  • 15+ years of experience programming in C/C++
  • 10+ years of experience developing software for embedded systems, using one or more of the following real time operating systems (RTOS): Wind River Systems VxWorks, DDC-I Deos or Green Hills Software Integrity
  • 10+ years of experience using Matlab/Simulink
  • 10+ years of experience with embedded software development, verification, or certification

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):
  • Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited course of study in engineering, engineering technology (includes manufacturing engineering technology), chemistry, physics, mathematics, data science, or computer science and 20+ years of related work experience OR Bachelor's Degree and 24+ years of directly related work experience OR 28+ years of related, relevant experience
  • Knowledge of specification format requirements, guidelines, and change control processes. Understanding of relationship between specifications/standards and aircraft/product certification systems
  • Knowledge of various engineering disciplines such as electrical, mechanical, and systems
  • The ability to communicate with technical personnel from multiple skill areas and functions to evaluate technical information and issues impacting design, production, and support of products, services, or other deliverables
  • Knowledge of programming languages (e.g., C#, Java, Java 2 Enterprise and Mobile Editions (J2EE, J2ME), C++, Visual Basic, C, Assembly, Ladder Logic, Numerical Control (NC) Programming, Matlab)
  • Knowledge of communications, networking, and protocols (e.g., Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Extensible Mark-up Language (XML), Wireless Access Protocol (WAP))
  • Knowledge of computing equipment and its operating systems (e.g., Windows, Unix, Linux)
  • Knowledge of software development and testing tools (e.g., editors, compilers, linkers, desktop simulations, configuration management tools, requirements management tools) capability and usage
  • Ability to apply knowledge of database engines to the design of databases and reporting structures
  • Ability to integrate hardware and software components into a functional system
  • Knowledge of software testing and usability theory. Knowledge of testing, usability practices. Ability to write and execute test scripts and perform usability analyses
  • Knowledge of general and real-time software development and testing tools, capability and usage
  • Real-time tool examples include cross compilers, target debuggers and test/performance instrumentation
  • Knowledge of domains, characteristics, constraints and products that require real-time software and influence architecture, requirements, interfaces, designs, and integration/test approaches
  • Knowledge of how to derive and allocate requirements (e.g., system, sub-system, software) and show traceability throughout the product lifecycle
  • Knowledge of software architecture and design methodologies. Ability to synthesize software architectures and designs that meet requirements, characteristics and constraints
  • Knowledge of supplier assessment processes including Preferred Supplier Certification and Work Transfer Process.
  • Elements of assessment to include supplier's past performance, business processes, capacity plan, statement of work evaluation, risk mitigation plan, capabilities and lean practices in order to rate supplier viability to support the Boeing companies goals and objectives
  • Ability to control and deliver project deliverables, project accounting and appraisal, and optimize the contribution of the people involved using project management tools
  • The ability to use established physical, mechanical, or scientific principles and perform appropriate tests to identify and solve problems encountered on the job. This includes the ability to locate and isolate the problem, identify possible solutions, and select approaches that are practical and effective

Travel:
20%
Drug Free Workplace:
Boeing is a Drug Free Workplace (DFW) where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.
Conflict of Interest:
Successful candidates for this job must satisfy the Company's Conflict of Interest (COI) assessment process.
CodeVue Coding Challenge:
To be considered for this position you will be required to complete a technical assessment as part of the selection process. Failure to complete the assessment will remove you from consideration.
Pay & Benefits:
At Boeing, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.
The Boeing Company also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.
The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.
Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
Summary Pay Range for Principal level (Level 6): $249,900-$338,100
Language Requirements:
Not Applicable
Education:
Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent
Relocation:
This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.
Export Control Requirement:
This position must meet U.S. export control compliance requirements. To meet U.S. export control compliance requirements, a "U.S. Person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.62 is required. "U.S. Person" includes U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.
Safety Sensitive:
This is not a Safety Sensitive Position.
Security Clearance:
This position requires the ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance for which the U.S. Government requires U.S. Citizenship. An interim and/or final U.S. Secret Clearance Post-Start is required.
Visa Sponsorship:
Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.
Contingent Upon Award Program
This position is not contingent upon program award
Shift:
Shift 1 (United States of America)
Stay safe from recruitment fraud! The only way to apply for a position at Boeing is via our Careers website. Learn how to protect yourself from recruitment fraud - Recruitment Fraud Warning
Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
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About Boeing

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At Boeing, we are all innovators on a mission to connect, protect, explore and inspire. From the sea bed to outer space, you'll learn and grow, contributing to work that shapes the world. Find your future with us.

Industry

Aviation and aerospace product and parts manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US