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Developer Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Engineering Manager

Camarillo, CA ยท On-site

$149K - $219K/yr

The product design engineering manager leads a team of product design engineers responsible for: Internal research and development, new product development (NPD/NPI), sustaining engineering for ...

To learn more, visit Developer Marketing Manager Location: Mountain View, CA or McLean, VA (Full-time, in-office) Role Overview We're hiring a Developer Marketing Manager to own how developers and ...

To learn more, visit Developer Marketing Manager Location: Mountain View, CA or McLean, VA (Full-time, in-office) Role Overview We're hiring a Developer Marketing Manager to own how developers and ...

To learn more, visit Developer Marketing Manager Location: Mountain View, CA or McLean, VA (Full-time, in-office) Role Overview We're hiring a Developer Marketing Manager to own how developers and ...

The Engineering Manager is responsible for all technical aspects relating to the support of various product lines within the Microwave Systems and MRO Value Stream. The successful candidate will ...

Developer Marketing Manager Location: Mountain View, CA or McLean, VA (Full-time, in-office) Role Overview We're hiring a Developer Marketing Manager to own how developers and technical evaluators ...

Engineering Program Manager

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$139K/yr

The Engineering Program Manager supports JLL's client, Amazon Global Real Estate & Facilities (GREF), holding responsibility for engineering program support within the assigned Area and back-up ...

The Engineering Manager is responsible for all technical aspects relating to the support of various product lines within the Microwave Systems and MRO Value Stream. The successful candidate will ...

Engineering Program Manager

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$152K/yr

The Engineering Program Manager supports JLL's client, Amazon Global Real Estate & Facilities (GREF), holding responsibility for engineering program support within the assigned Area and back-up ...

Engineering Manager

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site +1

$185K - $235K/yr

Production stability, incident response, deployment pipeline health, and coordination with DevOps. ... Experience managing both full-time employees and contractors as a unified team * Hands-on ...

Engineering Manager Location: San Francisco, CA (5 days/week onsite) About The Role At Mochi, our engineering team operates with exceptional leverage. We believe in high talent density, where a ...

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Showing results 1-20

Developer Manager information

See California salary details

$24.2K

$58.7K

$114.5K

How much do developer manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for developer manager in California is $58,746.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,400.00 and $67,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Developer Manager vs Software Engineer?

AspectDeveloper ManagerSoftware Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in CS or related field; management experience often preferredBachelor's or higher in CS or related field; strong coding skills
Work EnvironmentLeads teams, manages projects, collaborates with stakeholdersFocuses on coding, testing, and developing software solutions
Industry UsageCommon in tech companies, startups, and software firmsWidespread across tech, finance, healthcare, and other industries

The main difference is that a Developer Manager oversees development teams and manages projects, while a Software Engineer primarily focuses on coding and technical tasks. Developer Managers handle team coordination and strategic planning, whereas Software Engineers concentrate on building software solutions.

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

To thrive as a Developer Manager, you need a deep understanding of software development principles, project management, and several years of experience in coding and leading teams. Familiarity with tools such as Jira, Git, CI/CD pipelines, and certifications in Agile or Scrum methodologies are often required. Strong leadership, effective communication, and problem-solving skills help motivate teams and facilitate collaboration. These competencies are crucial for delivering high-quality software solutions on time while fostering a productive and positive development environment.

What are some common challenges Developer Managers face when balancing team productivity with individual growth?

Developer Managers often find it challenging to simultaneously meet project deadlines and foster individual team member growth. Balancing the delivery of high-quality software with providing mentorship, career development opportunities, and regular feedback can require careful planning and prioritization. These managers typically address this by establishing clear communication channels, setting realistic expectations, and allocating time for one-on-one meetings to support both team and personal development goals.

What are Developer Managers?

Developer Managers are professionals who oversee software development teams, ensuring that projects are completed on time and meet quality standards. They act as a bridge between developers and upper management, handling tasks such as project planning, team coordination, and performance evaluations. Developer Managers also mentor team members, help resolve technical challenges, and align development work with business goals. Their role is crucial for fostering a productive and collaborative work environment in software organizations.
What are the most commonly searched types of Developer jobs in California? The most popular types of Developer jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Developer Manager jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Developer Manager jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Developer Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Developer Manager job openings:
Software Engineering Manager

Software Engineering Manager

Palomar Products, Inc.

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA โ€ข On-site

$200K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

Palomar Products is a global leader in secure military communications technology, developing mission-critical communication systems used across fighter aircraft, helicopters, naval platforms, and next-generation defense programs worldwide.


Would you like to lead the development of next-generation secure communication systems deployed across military aircraft, naval platforms, and mission-critical defense programs worldwide?

Are you currently leading a small software team and looking for a genuine succession-planning opportunity that could ultimately lead to Director , VP Engineering, and executive leadership positions across a multi-billion-dollar aerospace group?


Position Summary :


Palomar is seeking a Software Engineering Manager to lead a team of skilled engineers developing safety critical software for secure communications systems. Youโ€™ll oversee a small team of highly experienced subject matter experts (SME) and manage third-party developers. Your time will be split between technical oversight, team leadership, process improvement, and occasional hands-on support. Youโ€™ll also collaborate on proposals, departmental planning, and tool/license management .


Reporting directly to the VP of Engineering, this role is ideal for experienced Software Engineering Managers, as well as Principal Engineers and Technical Leads looking to take the next step into formal engineering leadership.


As a Software Engineering Manager, you will:


  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 5 Software Engineers through coaching, career development, and regular 1-to-1s
  • Drive software architecture, development, integration, verification, certification, and SDLC activities
  • Guide daily engineering activities, remove blockers, and support successful project execution
  • Collaborate with Program and Project Engineering on proposals, estimates, staffing forecasts, and resource planning
  • Work closely with Systems, Hardware, FPGA, and Test Engineering teams to deliver mission-critical communications technology


The ideal Software Engineering Manager will bring:


  • Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline
  • 8+ years of software development experience, including 2+ years in a formal management or leadership role.
  • Strong background in safety critical software development in aerospace or defense.
  • Experience with DO-178C, RTOS (e.g., VxWorks, Wind River), and real-time embedded environments.
  • Familiarity with open system architectures such as SOSA, MOSA, or FACE.
  • Experience across the software development lifecycle within aerospace, defense, communications, avionics


Desirable Experience of the Software Engineering Manager:


  • Secure Communications Architectures
  • Software Defined Radio (SDR) Systems
  • Tactical Data Links
  • Voice & Data Communication Systems
  • Airborne Communication Platforms


Why Join Palomar as a Software Engineering Manager?


  • Succession-planning opportunity with future growth into Director / VP Engineering leadership
  • Opportunity to influence software strategy, engineering processes, and future product roadmaps
  • Join a company backed by TransDigm, a multi-billion-dollar publicly traded aerospace group with an engineering legacy supporting Aerospace/defense & military platforms worldwide
  • Long-term career opportunities across 55 operating companies


Compensation: Truly flexible compensation starting at $200,000+ DOE

Benefits : Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and more

9/80 schedule with every other Friday off


This opportunity offers exposure to advanced secure communications technology, airborne mission systems, and next-generation defense programs while providing a genuine long-term leadership career path.


All suitable applicants will be contacted within one working day. Apply today to avoid missing out!