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Chief Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Chief Software Architect Location: El Segundo, CA Required Security Clearance: Active TS with SCI ... Provide space acquisitions, engineering, operations, and technical advice and assistance across all ...

Chief Software Architect LOCATION: El Segundo, CA REQUIRED SECURITY CLEARANCE: Active TS with SCI ... Provide space acquisitions, engineering, operations, and technical advice and assistance across all ...

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 ...

Andrew (CTO): studied computer science & humanities at Stanford; worked as a software engineer and head of engineering at Apple & Anova; danced with the SF ballet (where he met his wife)! * Nick ...

Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $300K/yr

About Us * CEO Jack Cable is a top-ranked bug bounty hunter who previously led Secure by Design at ... an engineer who has built large-scale systems at Skiff, Caldera, and Nooks, and has published ...

Software Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

Strong software engineering fundamentals alongside the specialization * Palo Alto/SF in-person ... Startup pace 9am-9pm, six days a week; high-ownership role reporting to CTO Green Flags * Rare ...

Senior Software Engineer

Concord, CA

$134K - $177K/yr

You'll work closely with the CTO to design, build, and scale our core platform. This is a high ... Required Skills & Experience * 5+ years of software engineering experience, with strong backend ...

Senior Software Engineer

Concord, CA · On-site

$134K - $177K/yr

You'll work closely with the CTO to design, build, and scale our core platform. This is a high ... Required Skills & Experience * 5+ years of software engineering experience, with strong backend ...

Act as the CEO's primary technical lead on customer engagements, frequently traveling on-site to champion rapid product adoption, solve complex engineering challenges, and reduce customer time-to ...

The Role Backflip is looking for experienced Software Engineers with strong full-stack fundamentals ... Our goal is to enable anyone to imagine a solution and hit "print." Founded by a second-time CEO in ...

Senior Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$144K - $190K/yr

Role Overview: We're hiring a Software Engineer to join our tight-knit engineering team of four. In ... Philipp (Co-Founder & CEO) - Hi, I'm Phil! Raised on a small strawberry farm in Bavaria, Germany, I ...

They are seeking a Software Engineer, Full Stack to work closely with the CTO and engineering team, taking ownership of key initiatives and contributing to projects across the stack. Responsibilities ...

... the CEO and CTO to define the team culture What you bring - Strong programming skills and ... software engineer Compensation & benefits - Compensation: $150,000 - $250,000 base salary and ...

Software Engineer II

San Ramon, CA

$109K - $149K/yr

Who We Are We are looking for a talented and motivated Software Engineer II to join our innovative ... The amount of Choice Time Off (CTO) our people receive varies based on their years of service and ...

Founding Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

... the CEO and CTO to define the team culture What you bring - Strong programming skills and ... software engineer Compensation & benefits - Compensation: $150,000 - $250,000 base salary and ...

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Chief Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$32.1K

$91.7K

$178.6K

How much do chief software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief software engineer in California is $91,728.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,200.00 and $118,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior software engineers, especially those in high-demand industries or with extensive experience and specialized skills, can earn $500,000 or more annually. This level of compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, stock options, or other incentives, particularly in large tech companies or executive-level engineering roles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Chief Software Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chief Software Engineer, you need an extensive background in software architecture, programming languages, system design, and often an advanced degree in computer science or a related field. Experience with project management tools, cloud platforms (such as AWS or Azure), and relevant certifications (like PMP or Certified ScrumMaster) are commonly expected. Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills help you guide teams and align technical goals with business objectives. These competencies ensure the delivery of complex software projects, foster innovation, and drive the success of engineering teams.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior software engineers, especially those in specialized fields like machine learning, cloud infrastructure, or with extensive experience at large tech companies, can earn $300,000 or more annually. High compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, and requires advanced skills, certifications, and leadership responsibilities.

What types of teams and departments does a Chief Software Engineer typically collaborate with?

Chief Software Engineers regularly work alongside product management, quality assurance, UI/UX design, and IT operations to ensure smooth product development and delivery. They also engage with executive leadership to align software strategies with broader business goals, and may coordinate with customer support or sales teams to address client needs and feedback. These cross-functional collaborations help ensure the finished product not only meets technical specifications but also aligns with user requirements and market demands. Effective communication and partnership with various departments are essential parts of this leadership role.

What does a chief software engineer do?

A chief software engineer leads the development and implementation of software projects, overseeing technical teams and ensuring code quality, system performance, and project deadlines. They often collaborate with stakeholders, set technical standards, and utilize tools like version control and project management software. Strong leadership, programming skills, and experience in software architecture are essential for this role.

What is the highest paid job in software engineering?

The highest paid roles in software engineering are often senior positions such as Staff Software Engineer, Principal Engineer, or Engineering Director, especially in large tech companies. These roles typically require extensive experience, advanced technical skills, and leadership responsibilities, with salaries often exceeding $200,000 annually, plus bonuses and stock options.

What is a Chief Software Engineer job?

A Chief Software Engineer is a senior technical leader responsible for overseeing software development, architecture, and innovation within an organization. They provide strategic direction, ensure best practices, and guide engineering teams in building scalable and high-quality software solutions. This role often involves collaboration with stakeholders to align technical goals with business objectives. Additionally, they mentor developers, optimize development processes, and stay updated on emerging technologies to drive continuous improvement.

What are popular job titles related to Chief Software Engineer jobs in California? For Chief Software Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Chief Software Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Chief Software Engineer jobs in California are:
Chief Software Architect

Chief Software Architect

BTAS, Inc.

El Segundo, CA

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

Overview

Position: Chief Software Architect

Location: El Segundo, CA

Required Security Clearance: Active TS with SCI eligibility

Position Type/Standard Work Hours: Full time, 40 hours

BTAS, Inc. is a woman-owned small business founded in 1995, located near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Beavercreek, OH. We work with DoD programs and are committed to quality, professionalism, and a stimulating work environment.

The Opportunity

Upon award, BTAS will be filling potential openings for the Space Systems Command (SSC). SSC advances the United States space capabilities, delivering cutting-edge solutions to protect and enhance national security. SSC/SZBC specializes in highly classified Space Domain Awareness (SDA) systems, Defensive and Offensive Space Control (DSC/OSC) capabilities, and space test range assets to support the DoD’s current and future operational needs. The position supports multiple SSC/SZ-BC programs and other initiatives across the Space Force, Air Force, and allied organizations. Join us in shaping the future of space operations and contributing to the defense of our nation’s space assets.

Primary Responsibilities
  • Provide space acquisitions, engineering, operations, and technical advice and assistance across all project and program stages.
  • Support advanced technology acquisitions, future concept development, and integration.
  • Advise on cost, schedule, and performance.
  • Revise or draft JCIDS and other acquisition documents for government program managers.
  • Support presentations of products to internal and external customers.
  • Provide draft SME-level technical and/or programmatic status reports as requested by the government.
  • Identify and recommend improvements in acquisition processes and risk reduction strategies.
  • Assist in building and maintaining a government risk program.
  • Maintain current knowledge of program schedules, monitor acquisition implementation, report shortfalls, and assess programs based on identified risks.
  • Advise on technical engagements such as meetings, design reviews, and conferences.
  • Provide technical and operational insights for mission protection and operations.
  • Recommend solutions for technical anomalies and evaluate impact analyses, audits, and reviews.
  • Advise on software planning and development for spiral/agile acquisition programs.
  • Assist with test and operations, including support for test documents, planning, events, requirements, and data for Developmental and Operational Testing.
  • Provide analytical and operational engineering support to developmental and operational units.
  • Support data and signal collection, processing, storage, archiving, analysis, and lessons learned for tests and operations.
Minimum Qualifications
  • BA/BS with 18+ years’ experience; or MA/MS with 16+ years’ experience; or Ph.D./JD with 15+ years’ experience.
  • Individual must be an SME Recognized Industry Leader.
  • Minimum 20 years of progressive software engineering and architectural design for largescale enterprise software projects.
  • Minimum 5 years in a commercial software development company developing enterprise software at scale/complexity.
  • Minimum 5 years of IC or DoD experience designing and deploying large-scale enterprise software solutions for operational missions.
  • Minimum 2 years of SAP experience across complex mission partners and classified programs.
  • Expert in Agile methodology and process at scale; Enterprise Software Engineering.
  • Expert in modern commercial industry enterprise software engineering mindsets, patterns for CI, testing, delivery and deployment at scale.
  • Expert in DevSecOps, SRE, and vertical slice development approaches and best practices.
  • Effective management and leadership experience with large-scale programs (>100 personnel).
  • Effective communication with leadership, stakeholders, and development/industry communities.
  • Knowledge of IC, DoD, Air Force, Space Force or SSC processes for delivering systems to production environments.
  • Familiarity with highly available, scalable cloud-native (IaaS and PaaS) solutions in the commercial sector.
  • Familiarity with highly scalable Data as a Service (DaaS) solutions in the commercial sector.
  • Demonstrated expertise through professional publications and/or patents or masters.
  • Highly Desired: Past or present experience with SSC or mission partner space control or space situational awareness programs.
  • Experience with software engineering languages and tools (Java, Python, C++, or other OO languages), Kubernetes, AWS, Azure Cloud.
Supervisory Responsibilities

This position may supervise the work of others.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment.

Physical Demands

Must be able to operate a computer and other standard office equipment. Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods.

Travel

Little if any travel is required.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties may change at any time with or without notice.

Compensation / Salary Range

Full-time, Salary, Exempt. Salary range: $187,000 – $300,000 per year. The range is contingent on experience, education, certification, training, and responsibilities.

BTAS Benefits

A comprehensive benefits program, including paid time off, federal holidays, health coverage, and 401K plan with generous company match, is offered to all full-time employees.

AAP / EEO Statement

BTAS is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. BTAS is an E-Verify program participant.

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