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Contract Software Engineering Manager Jobs in Riverside, CA

Masimo

Software Engineering Project Manager

Irvine, CA · On-site

The Software Engineering Project Manager is responsible for leading planning, coordination, and execution across the full software development lifecycle (SDLC) for complex medical device software ...

Cotality

Director, Software Engineering

Irvine, CA · On-site

$271K/yr

You will oversee the architecture, engineering, and 24/7 production support of our critical data ... Strong financial acumen to manage department budgets, vendor contracts, and software licensing.

SIS

Engineering Manager

Corona, CA

Manager of Engineering Corona, CA 92877 On site Salary Top 10% of this industry Our company designs ... Must be able to use CAD software and MS Office products such as excel, word and PowerPoint.

Upcoresolutions

Engineering Manager

Corona, CA

Our client is seeking an Engineering Manager for the company that designs and manufactures high ... Must be able to use CAD software and MS Office products such as excel, word and PowerPoint.

head-huntress.com

Engineering Manager

Corona, CA

$131K - $150K/yr

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES The Sr. Engineering Manager has direct responsibility for Mechanical and ... Must be able to use CAD software and MS Office products such as excel, word and PowerPoint. Strong ...

Kier & Wright

Senior Engineering Manager

Irvine, CA · On-site

Contract & Proposal Management * Budget & Cost Management * Schedule Management * Team & Resource ... Use modeling software to analyze utility systems, stormwater behavior, and water quality ...

Kier & Wright

Senior Engineering Manager

Irvine, CA · On-site

$170K - $200K/yr

Contract & Proposal Management * Budget & Cost Management * Schedule Management * Team & Resource ... Use modeling software to analyze utility systems, stormwater behavior, and water quality ...

Panasonic

Manager, Engineering

Irvine, CA · On-site

$136K - $227K/yr

As a Software Engineering Manager, you will lead teams building next-generation digital and edge ... by contract or law. Due to the high volume of responses, we will only be able to respond to ...

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

Contract Software Engineering Manager information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$103.8K

$176.7K

$209.2K

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

As of Jun 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract software engineering manager in Riverside, CA is $176,710.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $180,500.00 and $180,500.00 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 engineer makes $500,000 a year?

A senior or principal software engineering manager with extensive experience, leadership responsibilities, and expertise in high-demand areas can earn $500,000 or more annually. Such roles often require advanced technical skills, strategic oversight, and may include bonuses, stock options, or profit sharing in large tech companies or successful startups.

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.

How much do contract software engineers make?

Contract software engineers typically earn between $50 and $150 per hour, depending on experience, location, and project complexity. Senior engineers with specialized skills or certifications can command higher rates, especially for short-term or high-demand projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Software Engineering Manager, and why are they important?

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 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.

How much money does a software engineer manager make?

A Contract Software Engineering Manager typically earns between $120,000 and $180,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. They often oversee teams, manage project timelines, and require strong leadership and technical skills.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior software engineering managers, principal engineers, and staff engineers in large tech companies often earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills in areas like cloud computing or AI, and stock options or bonuses included. These roles typically require strong leadership, technical expertise, and often a master's degree or higher in computer science or related fields.
What are popular job titles related to Contract Software Engineering Manager jobs in Riverside, CA? For Contract Software Engineering Manager jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Contract Software Engineering Manager jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Software Engineering Manager jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Contract Software Engineering Manager jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Contract Software Engineering Manager job openings:
Contract Software Engineering Manager jobs near you
Sr Manager, Software Engineering

Sr Manager, Software Engineering

Cox Automotive

Lake Forest, CA • On-site

$148K - $247K/yr

Full-time

PTO

Posted 3 days ago

Cox Automotive rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 134 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

88th of 138 rated financial services

Job description

Cox Automotive is seeking a Senior Manager, Software Engineering to lead and work side by side with teams modernizing the Dealer.com platform, a cornerstone of Cox Automotive's digital retail ecosystem powering thousands of dealership websites and connecting millions of consumers to their next vehicle.
This role is at the center of the AI transformation of both the teams and the platform. It is not a steady-state management position. It is a transformation role, one that requires equal parts, technical judgment, people leadership, and the ability to drive structural change while keeping delivery on track.
This role will report to the AVP of Software Engineering and works across engineering, product, design, and architecture, spanning both the Dealer.com platform and AI-driven initiatives, in close alignment with the AVP and Director of Engineering. The Sr. Manager will lead a team of Engineering Managers and a group of individual contributors working across consumer-facing dealer websites and the dealer tooling that powers them, systems that run on a significant scale with real consequences when they go wrong.
This role operates with a high degree of autonomy. The Sr. Manager will set technical direction, make decisions, and move the organization forward.
What You'll Do
Provides leadership and oversight to the Software Engineering group. Oversee team efforts to apply the principles of secure software engineering to the design, development, maintenance, testing and evaluation of software and cloud infrastructure. Engages with cross-functional leadership to understand business requirements, architecture and technology direction and evaluate alternative approaches, ensuring software and systems are designed accordingly. Incorporates state-of-the-art concepts and practices to facilitate system functionality, scalability, resilience and security, as well as ease-of-use (developer / user experience). Ensures appropriate application of agile principles to software development with a focus on delivery of business value, collaboration and continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
  • Directs the efforts of subordinate managers and professional staff.
  • Creates and/or reviews technical assessments, rough order of magnitudes and high-level requirements for assigned projects.
  • Works with customer facing organizations to produce final specifications.
  • Collaborates with software and other engineers on developing and maintaining Solution Architecture's roadmap and vision.
  • Drives execution of solution development through allocation and management of resources.
  • Drives decision-making processes to consensus and ensures that steps are taken to implement the solution roadmap.
  • Defines and monitors the team's success metrics.

Who You Are:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field, and 8 years' experience in a related field. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master's degree and 6 years' experience; a Ph.D. and 3 years' experience in a related field; or 20 years' experience in a related field.
  • Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship. No OPT, CPT, STEM/OPT or visa sponsorship now or in future.
  • Skilled in analytical thinking, business acumen, requirements analysis, software installation and support and technology savvy.
  • Skilled in building partnerships, engaging others, guiding team success, leading change and leading with vision.
  • Experience with an Agile or SCRUM/KANBAN based methodology.
  • Effective communicator both verbal and written.
  • Exceptional and proven leadership skills.
  • Ability to diagnose and resolve problems independently with creative approaches.
  • Ability to create clear goals and foster accountability/ownership.
  • Skilled in balancing risk with time-to-market objectives.

How We Work
  • AI-First: AI accelerates. Engineers decide. Every team defaults to AI tooling before reaching for a human solution - then a senior engineer owns the outcome.
  • Spec Before Code: Nothing ships without a spec. Acceptance criteria, architecture decisions, tests, and observability requirements are written before the first line of code is committed.
  • Outcomes Over Output: We measure delivery by platform health and business impact, not lines of code or ticket velocity.
  • Data Before Opinion: Decisions come from production telemetry and measured outcomes, not seniority or whoever spoke last in the room.
  • Operate With Autonomy: Bring recommendations, not questions. Bring solutions, not status updates.
  • Cross-Functional Alignment: Work across Product, Design, Architecture, and Engineering to align on direction and delivery. Engineering does not execute in isolation.

AI and AI-Transformed (AIT) Engineering model
  • Stand up and sustain AI-Transformed team structures across all engineering domains - smaller, more leveraged teams that deliver at a pace traditional staffing models cannot match.
  • Establish spec-driven development as the non-negotiable default. Every feature is fully specified before a line of code is written, with AI used to accelerate spec scaffolding and test generation.
  • Integrate AI coding assistants as production-grade team tools, not optional experiments. Track AI-assisted throughput as a performance signal and use it to inform resourcing decisions.
  • Establish clear quality gates for AI-generated output. Engineers own review, validation, and production accountability for everything AI assists in producing. AI accelerates; humans are accountable.

USD 148,500.00 - 247,500.00 per year
Compensation:
Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $148,500.00 - $247,500.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.
Benefits:
The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company's needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.
EOE, including disability/vets

What Cox Automotive employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

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About Cox Automotive

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Cox Automotive, people of every background are driven by their passion for mobility, innovation and community. We transform the way the world buys, sells, owns and uses cars, accelerating the industry with global powerhouse brands like Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim and more. What's more, we do it all with an emphasis on employee growth and happiness. Drive your future forward and join Cox Automotive today! Cox empowers employees to build a better future and has been doing so for over 120 years. With exciting investments and innovations across transportation, communications, cleantech and healthcare, our family of businesses - which includes Cox Automotive and Cox Communications - is forging a better future for us all. Ready to make your mark? Join us today! Benefits of working at Cox may include health care insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement planning (401(k)), and paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, flexible vacation/wellness days, and/or PTO). For more details on what benefits you may be offered, visit our benefits page . Cox is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer - All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to that individual's age, race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law. Cox provides reasonable accommodations when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with disability, unless such accommodations would cause an undue hardship. Statement to ALL Third-Party Agencies and Similar Organizations: Cox accepts resumes only from agencies with which we formally engage their services. Please do not forward resumes to our applicant tracking system, Cox employees, Cox hiring manager, or send to any Cox facility. Cox is not responsible for any fees or charges associated with unsolicited resumes.

Industry

Automobile dealers and technology, communication and media

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Atlanta, GA, US

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