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Contract Software Engineering Manager Jobs in Irvine, CA

Socket.dev

Flight Software Engineering Manager

Irvine, CA · On-site

$180 - $230/hr

Terran Orbital is seeking an experienced Flight Software Engineering Manager to join our dynamic team. Reporting to the Director of Program Engineering, the Flight Software Engineering Manager will ...

GoTo Meeting

Flight Software Engineering Manager

Irvine, CA · On-site

$150 - $210/hr

Terran Orbital is seeking an experienced Flight Software Engineering Manager to join our dynamic team. Reporting to the Director of Program Engineering, the manager will be involved in all aspects of ...

Alteryx, Inc.

Manager, Software Engineering

Irvine, CA · On-site

$136 - $175/hr

Manager, Software Engineering - Dataplane Meet the Moment with Alteryx We're living through a once-in-a-generation shift in how work gets done. Data, automation, and AI are quickly becoming the ...

loco

Sr. Manager, Software Engineering

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

The Senior Manager of Software Engineering is a senior technical leader responsible for setting the vision, standards, and execution strategy for the company's software engineering function. This ...

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All JobsContract Software Engineering JobsContract Software Engineering Manager JobsContract Software Engineering Manager Jobs in Irvine, CA

Contract Software Engineering Manager information

See Irvine, CA salary details

$106.8K

$181.8K

$215.2K

How much do contract software engineering manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract software engineering manager in Irvine, CA is $181,812.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $185,700.00 and $185,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract software engineering manager?

A Contract Software Engineering Manager is a professional who leads and oversees software development teams on a contractual basis, rather than as a permanent employee. They are responsible for managing engineering projects, guiding developers, and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality software solutions. Typically, they work for a specific duration or on particular projects, providing leadership, technical expertise, and process improvements. This role is ideal for organizations seeking temporary management support or specialized leadership for critical projects. Contract Software Engineering Managers often bring diverse experience from various industries and projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract software engineering manager?

To thrive as a Contract Software Engineering Manager, you need strong leadership abilities, deep software development knowledge, and experience managing engineering teams, typically supported by a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with project management tools (like Jira or Trello), cloud platforms (such as AWS or Azure), and relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, Scrum Master) is often required. Outstanding communication, adaptability, and conflict-resolution skills help build trust and drive team performance in diverse, dynamic environments. These competencies ensure timely project delivery, high code quality, and effective collaboration with stakeholders.

What are some unique challenges faced by contract software engineering managers compared to full-time managers?

Contract software engineering managers often face the challenge of quickly integrating into new teams and company cultures while rapidly understanding ongoing projects. They must establish trust and effective communication in a short period, all while delivering results within limited contract timelines. Additionally, contract managers may need to balance stakeholder expectations and project deliverables without the long-term context or authority that permanent managers might have. Adaptability, strong onboarding skills, and proactive relationship-building are key to thriving in this role.

What is the difference between Contract Software Engineering Manager vs Contract Software Developer?

AspectContract Software Engineering ManagerContract Software Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS or related field, management experienceBachelor's in CS or related field, coding skills
Work EnvironmentOversees teams, manages projects, collaborates with stakeholdersFocuses on coding, debugging, implementing features
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, consulting firms, startupsSoftware firms, tech startups, enterprise IT
Common Search & ComparisonManagement responsibilities, leadership rolesTechnical skills, coding focus

The Contract Software Engineering Manager typically oversees development teams, manages projects, and ensures delivery, requiring management experience and leadership skills. In contrast, the Contract Software Developer primarily focuses on coding and implementing software features. Both roles are common in tech industries but differ significantly in responsibilities and required credentials.

What are popular job titles related to Contract Software Engineering Manager jobs in Irvine, CA?

For Contract Software Engineering Manager jobs in Irvine, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Contract Software Engineering Manager jobs in Irvine, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Software Engineering Manager jobs in Irvine, CA are:

What cities near Irvine, CA are hiring for Contract Software Engineering Manager jobs?

Cities near Irvine, CA with the most Contract Software Engineering Manager job openings:

Contract Software Engineering Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Software Engineering Manager job openings in Irvine, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, and 8% Temporary. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $181,812 per year, or $87.4 per hour.

Flight Software Engineering Manager

Terran Orbital Corporation

Irvine, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago

Job description

Terran Orbital is seeking an experienced Flight Software Engineering Manager  to join our dynamic team. Reporting to the Director of Program Engineering, the Flight Software Engineering Manager will be involved in all aspects of a spacecraft's lifetime, with an in-depth vision to guide and mentor members of the team, in addition to their managerial responsibilities.  These include, but not limited to, scheduling and resource planning to support programs, proposals and other business activities, interfacing with other teams and business units to provide guidance and context to create processes and standards. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities

  • Tasking and oversight of Flight Software Engineers, who design and develop flight software applications
  • Attend program meetings and develop work breakdowns for the engineers
  • Function as a lead program software engineer when necessary
  • Represent engineers in bi-weekly Sprint planning
  • Contribute to Code Reviews as necessary
  • Managing direct reports from human resource perspective, providing technical mentorship, and conducting team meetings, performance reviews, interviews as necessary to meet the work demand and expectations for the team being managed.
  • Providing presentations, reports, summary, and status updates to upper management on a weekly basis
  • Other duties may be assigned as needed

Required Qualifications and Skills 

  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aerospace, or equivalent degree required
  • Minimum of 8 years of direct industry experience working on embedded software in Aerospace, Space, or a similar sector
  • Minimum of 3 years of experience in managing engineering teams working on embedded software in Aerospace, Space, or a similar sector
  • Strong and effective leader who has proven history leading technical teams
  • Must have previous mentorship experience to train junior level engineers
  • Experience developing software in C/C++, deploying and testing on the target environment, and delivering product to the market
  • Ability to work independently and manage priorities in a multi-disciplinary and fast-paced environment
  • Exceptional critical thinking and decision-making skills
  • Strong communication and presentation skills to interface with executive members of the team, customers, and vendors
  • Experience in a production environment within the space or aerospace industry
  • U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

  • MS or PhD in Computer Science or Engineering with an embedded focus
  • Experience developing on Linux
  • Familiarity with Zynq 7000 series and/or microprocessors
  • Familiarity with FPGA
  • Familiarity with HW testing equipment such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers

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