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Development Lead Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Wing

Learning & Development Lead

Palo Alto, CA · On-site +1

Wing is looking for a Learning & Development Lead to join our People team. We are seeking someone with a builder mindset who has a deep understanding of how different employees learn and acquire ...

Barry's

Talent Development Lead

Mill Valley, CA · On-site

The Talent Development Lead (TDL) serves as a leader, Barry's culture ambassador and class programming guide for their regional Talent team. They are a responsible and motivated individual ...

Apple

Sales Strategy Development Lead

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$149K - $225K/yr

Description The Sales Strategy Development Lead will partner with teams across sales, product marketing, and developer relations to build and execute go-to-market strategies, market activation plans ...

Skyryse

Defense Business Development Lead

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$120K - $150K/yr

DEFENSE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LEAD - EL SEGUNDO, CA Skyryse is seeking an execution-driven Defense Business Development Lead to support our defense commercialization efforts. This is a utility role ...

Navi AI

Business Development Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

About the role This is a founding business development role. You own how Navi expands across the aviation market - airlines, charter operators, and the training centers that produce the next ...

Apple Inc.

Sales Strategy Development Lead

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$146.80 - $221.20/hr

Description The Sales Strategy Development Lead will partner with teams across sales, product marketing, and developer relations to build and execute go-to-market strategies, market activation plans ...

Skyryse

Defense Business Development Lead

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$120K - $150K/yr

DEFENSE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LEAD - EL SEGUNDO, CA Skyryse is seeking an execution-driven Defense Business Development Lead to support our defense commercialization efforts. This is a utility role ...

Barry's

Talent Development Lead

Mill Valley, CA · On-site

$110 - $160/hr

The Talent Development Lead (TDL) serves as a leader, Barry's culture ambassador and class programming guide for their regional Talent team. They are a responsible and motivated individual ...

Campbell's

Market Development Lead

Los Angeles, CA

$67K - $92K/yr

The Market Development Lead (MDL) drives market growth and execution by partnering with Independent Distributor Partners (IDPs) and retail outlets. This role builds strong relationships with IDPs ...

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Showing results 41-60

All JobsDevelopment Lead JobsDevelopment Lead Jobs in California

Development Lead information

See California salary details

$18.3K

$88.7K

$154K

How much do development lead jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for development lead in California is $88,665.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,400.00 and $129,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a development lead?

A Development Lead is a professional responsible for overseeing a team of software developers or engineers to ensure successful project delivery. They coordinate technical tasks, mentor team members, and act as a bridge between management and the development team. Development Leads also contribute to architectural decisions, code reviews, and help resolve technical issues. Their role often includes project planning, delegating tasks, and tracking progress to meet deadlines and quality standards.

How does a development lead typically balance hands-on coding with team management responsibilities?

Development Leads often split their time between technical tasks, such as reviewing code or architecting solutions, and leadership duties like mentoring team members, planning sprints, and facilitating collaboration. The exact balance depends on the organization's size and structure, but most Development Leads find themselves gradually shifting toward more strategic and people-focused activities as their teams grow. Effective time management and clear communication are key to ensuring both technical excellence and team alignment. Many leads also delegate coding tasks to encourage skill development within the team while focusing on removing blockers and aligning projects with business objectives.

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

To thrive as a Development Lead, you need advanced programming knowledge, experience in software architecture, and a background in leading technical teams, often supported by a degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, project management tools such as Jira, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines is typically required. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities set exceptional Development Leads apart. These skills ensure high-quality deliverables, effective team collaboration, and successful project outcomes in dynamic software environments.

What is the difference between Development Lead vs Software Engineer?

AspectDevelopment LeadSoftware Engineer
ResponsibilitiesOversees project development, manages teams, and coordinates technical effortsDevelops, tests, and maintains software applications
Required SkillsTechnical expertise, leadership, project managementProgramming, problem-solving, technical knowledge
Work EnvironmentTeam leadership, project planning, cross-functional collaborationIndividual coding tasks, software development teams
Common CertificationsRelevant certifications like PMP, Scrum Master, technical certificationsProgramming certifications, specific technology certifications

The main difference between a Development Lead and a Software Engineer lies in their scope of responsibilities. The Development Lead focuses on guiding teams, managing projects, and ensuring successful delivery, while a Software Engineer primarily concentrates on coding and technical problem-solving. Both roles require strong technical skills, but the Development Lead also needs leadership and project management abilities.

What are popular job titles related to Development Lead jobs in CA?

For Development Lead jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Development Lead jobs near you
Infographic showing various Development Lead job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,665 per year, or $42.6 per hour.

Learning & Development Lead

Wing

Palo Alto, CA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Design, launch, and scale Wing's centralized corporate training function, including building the blueprint, strategy, and system foundation.

  • Evaluate, select, and implement modern, AI-driven learning tools and knowledge systems to create adaptive learning paths and real-time support mechanisms.

  • Partner with various teams and leadership to develop and deliver training programs aligned with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.

Job description

About the Role:

Wing is looking for a Learning & Development Lead to join our People team. We are seeking someone with a builder mindset who has a deep understanding of how different employees learn and acquire skills and are passionate about creating the environment and systems that promote a learning oriented  culture. This role is hybrid based in Palo Alto, CA or based remotely in the United States.  

We are looking for a forward thinking, technologically savvy Learning & Development Lead to design, launch, and scale Wing's centralized corporate training function. Initially acting as a high impact individual contributor, you will design the foundation for how Wing's workforce learns, develops skills, and aligns with critical operational imperatives. This is not a traditional L&D role focused on licensing legacy Learning Management Systems (LMS) or rolling out static corporate modules. Instead, you will champion a next generation learning paradigm that leverages AI, LLM-driven knowledge engines, and contextual delivery mechanisms to provide adaptive learning solutions built for a highly technical and operational workforce that is rapidly evolving and scaling.  

What You'll Do: 

  • Build the blueprint, strategy, and system foundation for Wing's first centralized corporate training function to serve the global workforce
  • Evaluate, select, and implement modern, AI-driven learning tools and knowledge systems. Think beyond static, archaic LMS tools, this is an opportunity to build or implement adaptive learning paths and realtime support mechanisms driven by automated content contextualization
  • Act as the architect of core learning pillars, utilizing strong foundational learning science to ensure learning pathways drive specific, measurable business goals. Core initial programs will include:
    • Safety, Compliance, and Environmental Health & Safety
    • Build upon Wing's existing leadership frameworks that define how Wing managers lead, mentor, and build high-performing teams
    • Elevating engineering and operational skill sets through cutting-edge workflows.  Partner with our AI Champions across the organization to help cascade key AI training & development
  • Partner closely with various client groups and executive leadership to align learning objectives with organizational metrics and dynamic regulatory requirements including: 
    • Partnering with the Aviation Safety team on core learning modules that support our Safety Management System.
    • Partnering with the Legal, Compliance and EH&S teams on critical compliance and EH&S training for our employees and extended field teams
  • Facilitate training sessions for Winglets (virtual and in person), depending on the content
  • Operate initially as an entrepreneurial individual contributor who designs and delivers materials directly.  Over time, you will strategically build out a small, scrappy team to expand impact 

What You'll Need: 

  • 10+ years of total experience in instructional design, corporate learning, or people development, with a proven track record of standing up programs in fast growing technology companies or aviation/robotics/hardware industries
  • Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Education, Business Administration, or a related field
  • Strong background in instructional design theories and learning psychology. Proven ability to design training modules that balance different learning archetypes (from desk-based software engineers to field-based employees)
  • Active experience incorporating AI solutions into dynamic learning workflows
  • Ability to link learning interventions to core business metrics (e.g., incident rate reduction, engineering speed, leadership retention) rather than vanity completion rates
  • A passion for operating as an individual contributor in the early stages, writing content, organizing materials, and building courses yourself, combined with the strategic maturity required to set up a new function within the people function
  • Excellent public speaking & presentation skills

Apply