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Director Applications Development Jobs in California

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Director Applications Development information

See California salary details

$81.9K

$150.4K

$236.4K

How much do director applications development jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for director applications development in California is $150,398.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,800.00 and $172,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Director of Applications Development do?

A Director of Applications Development is responsible for overseeing the design, development, and implementation of software applications within an organization. They lead teams of developers, set technical direction, and ensure that projects align with business objectives and industry standards. This role involves collaborating with other departments, managing budgets and timelines, and ensuring the quality and security of all application solutions. Additionally, they stay updated on emerging technologies to keep their organization competitive.

What does a director of application development do?

A director of application development oversees the planning, design, and implementation of software applications within an organization. They manage development teams, coordinate project timelines, ensure technical standards are met, and align software solutions with business goals, often using tools like Agile or Scrum methodologies. Strong leadership, technical expertise, and project management skills are essential for this role.

What is the difference between Director Applications Development vs Software Development Manager?

AspectDirector Applications DevelopmentSoftware Development Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple development teams, sets strategic goals, manages budgets, and aligns projects with business objectives.Manages software development teams, oversees project execution, and ensures timely delivery of applications.
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master’s in Computer Science or related field; extensive experience in software development; leadership skills.Bachelor's in Computer Science or related field; experience in software development and team management.
Work EnvironmentCorporate offices, strategic planning meetings, cross-department collaboration.Development labs, project meetings, Agile/Scrum environments.

The main difference between a Director Applications Development and a Software Development Manager lies in scope and strategic focus. The Director typically oversees multiple teams and aligns development efforts with business goals, while the Software Development Manager focuses on managing specific projects and teams to deliver software solutions efficiently.

What tech jobs pay 400,000 a year?

For a Director of Applications Development, salaries of $400,000 or more are typically found in senior or executive-level roles within large organizations, especially those involving extensive management of development teams, strategic planning, and advanced technical expertise. High compensation often correlates with experience, certifications, and leadership in high-demand industries like finance, technology, or consulting. Such roles may also include bonuses, stock options, or other incentives that contribute to total compensation.

What does a development director do?

A development director oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of software development projects, managing teams of developers and ensuring timely delivery of applications. They often collaborate with stakeholders, set technical standards, and utilize project management tools to meet organizational goals.

How does a Director of Applications Development typically collaborate with other departments to ensure successful project outcomes?

A Director of Applications Development frequently works closely with stakeholders from business, IT operations, product management, and quality assurance to align technical solutions with organizational goals. Effective communication and cross-functional teamwork are essential, as the director often leads meetings to gather requirements, provide project updates, and resolve issues. This role also involves mentoring development teams and ensuring that deliverables meet both business and technical standards, fostering an environment of collaboration and continuous improvement.

Is application developer a good career?

Application development is a viable career that offers opportunities in various industries, with demand driven by the need for software solutions. Success often requires strong programming skills, knowledge of development tools, and continuous learning to keep up with evolving technologies. It can provide a stable salary and career growth potential for those with technical expertise.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director Applications Development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director Applications Development, you need extensive experience in software development, project management, and a relevant degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with development frameworks, cloud platforms, Agile methodologies, and certifications like PMP or Scrum Master are often required. Leadership, strategic thinking, and strong communication skills are crucial for managing teams and aligning technology solutions with business goals. These competencies ensure effective delivery of application projects, foster innovation, and support organizational growth.
What are the most commonly searched types of Applications Development jobs in California? The most popular types of Applications Development jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Director Applications Development jobs? Cities in California with the most Director Applications Development job openings:
Infographic showing various Director Applications Development job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $150,398 per year, or $72.3 per hour.
Director Applications Engineering

Director Applications Engineering

Synopsys

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

Other

Re-posted yesterday


Job description

Open to hiring for this role to be located in either Austin or Sunnyvale

We Are:

At Synopsys, we drive the innovations that shape the way we live and connect. Our technology is central to the Era of Pervasive Intelligence, from self-driving cars to learning machines. We lead in chip design, verification, and IP integration, empowering the creation of high-performance silicon chips and software content. Join us to transform the future through continuous technological innovation.


As the Director of Applications Engineering, this role leads a team of Application Engineers who partner with Synopsys' customers to successfully integrate leading-edge Interface IP (IIP) into ASIC SoCs/systems for next-generation products utilizing our PCIe/SERDES IPs.
You will be accountable for team execution, technical quality, customer success, and cross-functional alignment-hiring and developing talent, setting priorities, driving best practices, and owning escalations to ensure predictable, high-quality outcomes across multiple customer programs.


What You'll Be Doing:

  • Lead and develop a team of Application Engineers (hiring, onboarding, coaching, and performance management) to deliver excellent customer outcomes.
  • Set priorities,allocateresources, and manage execution across multiple customer engagements and internal deliverables;establishoperating rhythms and clear accountability.
  • Own customer escalations for Interface IP integration, driving structured debug and resolution plans in partnership with R&D, Product, and Program teams.
  • Define and standardize best practices for pre-silicon integration reviews, signoff checklists, and milestone-based customer engagement to improve predictability and quality.
  • Lead AI initiatives to define and implement an AI-empowered flow that accelerates pre-silicon IP integration, debug, and customer engagement processes.
  • Drive strong cross-functional collaboration and feedback loops to improve product quality, documentation, collateral, and enablement based on field learnings.
  • Track and report on key metrics (e.g., milestone health, issue trends, response times, customer satisfaction) and continuouslyimprovingteam processes.
  • Stay current on relevant standards and market trends (e.g., PCIe, SERDES and related ecosystem requirements) and translate them into team readiness and customer guidance.
  • Travel occasionally to support strategic customer engagements, executive reviews, and critical milestones.


The Impact You Will Have:

  • Enhancing the usability and adoption of Synopsys' Interface IP products by providing expert technical support.
  • Facilitating successful integration of IP into customer designs, contributing to their product development timelines.
  • Improving customer satisfaction by resolving technical issues efficiently and effectively.
  • Driving innovation by working withcutting-edgetechnologies and industry specifications.
  • Strengthening Synopsys' market position through successful customer engagements and support.
  • Contributing to the development of next-generation products thatleveragehigh-speed protocols and advanced IP.


What You'll Need:

  • Bachelor's orMaster'sdegree in electrical engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
  • 20+ years of experience in SoC/ASIC development, applications engineering, design, verification, or silicon/IP bring-up;witha track recordof customer-facing technical leadership.
  • Strong project/program management skills with a focus on execution and problem-solving: build and drive plans, manage risks/dependencies, lead escalations, and communicate clearly with internal and external executives.
  • Provenpeopleleadership: set team vision and operating rhythm; hire, coach, and develop an inclusive, high-performing team; drive execution across multiple customer programs.
  • Experience with high-speed protocols such asPCIe,Ethernet; Experience with High-Speed SerDes developmentor supportis a plus.
  • Technical depth in at least one domain: Front-End (RTL/SystemVerilog, CDC/RDC, lint, verification) and/or Back-End (synthesis, STA, place & route, signoff), or Analog/Mixed-Signal design and integration.
  • Strong understanding of SoC tape-out flows and milestones (integration, verification signoff, timing closure, and handoff), and experience supporting customers through critical tape-out schedules.


Who You Are:

  • Creative and results-oriented, capable of managing multiple tasks concurrently.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
  • Ability to work collaboratively across teams to deliver solutions to customers.
  • Strong analytical, reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
  • Willingness to travel occasionally to support customer engagements.


The Team You'll Be A Part Of:

The team focuses on enabling our Interface IP customers to integrate the IP into their SoC and assist them through their design flows and debugging critical issues. This collaborative team works closely with customers to ensure the successful deployment of Synopsys' leading Interface IP products in various market segments.

At Synopsys, we want talented people of every background to feel valued and supported to do their best work. Synopsys considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, military veteran status, or disability.

In addition to the base salary, this role may be eligible for an annual bonus, equity, and other discretionary bonuses. Synopsys offers comprehensive health, wellness, and financial benefits as part of a competitive total rewards package. The actual compensation offered will be based on a number of job-related factors, including location, skills, experience, and education. Your recruiter can share more specific details on the total rewards package upon request. The base salary range for this role is across the U.S.

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About Synopsys

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS) is the Silicon to Software partner for creative companies developing the electronic products and software applications we rely on every single day. As the world's 15th largest software company, Synopsys has a long history of being a global leader in electronic design automation (EDA) and semiconductor IP and is also growing its leadership in software quality and security solutions. Whether you're a system-on-chip (SoC) designer building advanced semiconductors, or a software developer writing applications that require the highest quality and security, Synopsys has the solutions needed to deliver exceptional, secure products for the era of connected everything. The company is headquartered in Mountain View, California, and has approximately 113 offices located throughout North America, South America, Europe, Japan, Asia and India. Since 1986, Synopsys has been at the heart of accelerating electronics innovation with engineers around the world having used Synopsys technology to successfully design and create billions of chips and systems that are found in the electronics that people rely on every single day.

Industry

Computer and computer peripheral equipment and software wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Mountain View, CA, US

Year founded

1986

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