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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 ...

Software Engineer We're hiring our third software engineer. This is one of the most important hires ... You'll work directly with the CEO, CTO, Head of Product, and founding engineer. What You'll Own ...

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 ...

You will work directly with Venkat (the CTO) to build deployment configurations and platform ... You will be expected to help with engineering across the stack, including model architecture ...

Software Engineer 2

Sunnyvale, CA

$116K - $158.80K/yr

Software Engineer 2 Location: Sunnyvale, CA- Onsite position Client: A major Aerospace company ... Most Admired Companies, CEO Views 2018 30 Great Places to Work, CIO Bulletin 2018 50 Most ...

They are seeking a Founding Software Engineer to work closely with the CTO on designing, prototyping, and implementing AI-powered systems, with significant ownership over architecture and product ...

New

Senior Software Engineer

Concord, CA · On-site

$134.40K - $177.20K/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 ...

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Showing results 1-20

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 May 28, 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 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 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 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 engineering jobs pay $500,000?

Chief Software Engineers and senior technical leaders in technology companies can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with bonuses, stock options, and extensive experience. High compensation often requires advanced skills in software architecture, leadership, and experience with high-demand technologies or industries such as finance, cloud computing, or AI.
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:
Infographic showing various Chief Software Engineer job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, and 17% Part Time. Highlights an 78% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,728 per year, or $44.1 per hour.
Chief Software Architect - Enterprise & National Programs (Los Angeles)

Chief Software Architect - Enterprise & National Programs (Los Angeles)

Boost

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Chief Software Architect – Enterprise & National Programs

BOOST LLC is a dynamic management consulting firm that offers an array of government-compliant back-office solutions to support our teaming partners within the GovCon space. We are working with our client, Galaxia Technologies to find their next highly skilled Chief Software Architect – Enterprise & National Programs (Los Angeles).

At Galaxia Technologies, they lead the way for secure, mission-ready software solutions that advance the nation's most critical objectives. Their teams combine deep technical expertise, disciplined execution, and an unwavering commitment to mission assurance—delivering systems that enable information dominance, operational continuity, and strategic decision advantage.

They operate at the crossroads of enterprise innovation and national defense, supporting customers across space, cyber, and intelligence domains.

The Opportunity

Galaxia Technologies is seeking a Chief Software Architect to shape the technical vision for a critical space enterprise software portfolio. You'll lead architecture strategy for complex, secure, and high-scale systems, guiding cross-functional engineering teams and influencing technology direction across cloud, data, and software environments while leveraging leading best practices such as DevSecOps, Domain Driven Design (DDD), and Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) from an agile mindset.

This role requires a senior technical leader with a development mindset and a proven ability to translate mission needs into architectural strategy, bridge the gap between innovation and operational deployment, and mentor engineering teams operating in highly controlled, multi-domain environments. You'll lead and govern software delivery across contracted development teams—setting technical direction, ensuring modern engineering practices, and driving measurable mission impact.

Key Responsibilities

  • Architect modern enterprise systems that operate securely across hybrid cloud environments.
  • Define and evolve technical standards for scalable, resilient software design and integration.
  • Translate business and mission needs into measurable technology strategies that accelerate delivery.
  • Lead modernization and transformation initiatives across software platforms and pipelines.
  • Explore and apply emerging commercial technologies—AI/ML, automation, cloud-native orchestration, SRE, and zero-trust security.
  • Mentor and elevate engineering leaders, fostering a culture of technical excellence and innovation.
  • Collaborate directly with senior executives, product leaders, and mission customers to align architecture with strategic priorities.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred).
  • 15+ years in software engineering and architecture for large-scale, distributed systems.
  • Demonstrated experience leading enterprise software delivery, transformation, or modernization programs in commercial environments; experience with IC, DoD, or federal systems is a plus.
  • Deep expertise in cloud-native design (AWS, Azure, hybrid cloud).
  • Strong proficiency in one or more core languages (e.g., Python, Java, C++).
  • Deep expertise of software development methodologies, including Agile, DevSecOps, Site Reliability Engineering (SRE), CI/CD, and vertical slice/full-stack development approaches, with experience in implementing best practices for enterprise software, at scale.
  • Exceptional communicator—able to align executives, engineers, and partners around a shared technical direction.
  • U.S. citizenship required; candidates with an active clearance or the ability and willingness to obtain one (including a CI polygraph) are preferred.

Highly Desired

  • Experience supporting USSF/SSC, space domain awareness, C2, or ISR mission areas.
  • Familiarity with A&A, RMF, CMMI, or equivalent accreditation frameworks.
  • Record of influence in national-level software modernization or enterprise architecture initiatives.

Core Competencies

  • Mission Relevance: Direct contribution to programs that protect and project national capabilities.
  • Technical Authority: Autonomy to define, innovate, and guide enterprise technical direction with measurable impact.
  • Collaboration: Partnership with elite engineers, operators, and mission stakeholders across the IC and defense ecosystem.
  • Growth & Recognition: Access to emerging R&D, industry working groups, and leadership pathways that shape national standards.
  • Purposeful Culture: Integrity, technical excellence, and service—core values that anchor every mission we support.

What Success Looks Like

  • You architect interoperable, cloud-native systems that integrate seamlessly across enterprise and national mission partner environments.
  • You codify software engineering governance models that enhance delivery speed without compromising compliance or security.
  • You are a trusted technical authority to senior mission stakeholders, guiding technology decisions that shape national capabilities.
  • You grow and mentor a cadre of technical leaders skilled in delivering mission-critical capabilities under evolving operational conditions.
  • Your architectural principles become embedded across Galaxia's portfolio—improving performance, assurance, and mission readiness enterprise-wide.
  • Success means advancing both Galaxia's technical posture and the nation's digital advantage through secure, scalable engineering excellence.

What We Offer

  • Competitive salary range of $250,000–$325,000, based on experience
  • Options for 100% company-paid medical, dental and vision premiums
  • 401K Matching up to 6% with immediate 100% vesting
  • 25 days of PTO plus 10 federal holidays

Why Galaxia

Galaxia Technologies delivers beyond innovation—we deliver mission capability. Our software is built to endure, secure by design, and agile by intent.

Join us to engineer solutions that ensure national security, operational continuity, and technological superiority for the missions that matter most.

Galaxia Technologies is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to persons without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, citizenship status, age, veteran status or disability.

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