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Director Of Software Development Jobs in California

Mango, Inc.

Director of Software

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$180 - $280/hr

Director of Software Join a fast growing startup in a role that blends cutting edge biotech with ... Design and Development: Act as principal architect for a complex full stack software product that ...

General Galactic

Director of Software

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$150 - $210/hr

As Director of Software, you will work directly with the founders and technical team to define and own the software architecture, development roadmap, verification approach, and operational stack for ...

BioTalent Ltd

Director of Software (San Diego)

San Diego, CA · On-site

$268K/yr

Director of Software (San Diego, CA - On-site) An innovative medical device company at a growth ... This is a builder's leadership role reporting to the VP of R&D, combining hands-on technical depth ...

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All JobsOf Software Development JobsDirector Of Software Development JobsDirector Of Software Development Jobs in California

Director Of Software Development information

See California salary details

$103.1K

$175.6K

$237.8K

How much do director of software development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of software development in California is $175,648.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $151,000.00 and $203,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of software development do?

As a director of software development, your responsibilities are to oversee the organization and daily operations of a software development department. You manage multiple projects, meet with customers to determine their needs, and then pass on the work to project managers who assemble development teams that include QA testers, coders, programmers, and developers. As the director of the department, you are also responsible for HR and administrative duties, such as hiring and orienting new employees and meeting regularly with other department directors.

What does a director of software development do?

A Director of Software Development leads and manages software engineering teams, overseeing the design, development, and delivery of software products. They are responsible for setting technical direction, ensuring high-quality code, mentoring managers and engineers, and aligning software projects with business goals. Additionally, they collaborate with other departments, manage budgets, and help develop strategic plans to ensure the success of software initiatives within the organization.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of software development, and how can they be effectively managed?

Directors of Software Development often encounter challenges such as balancing strategic leadership with day-to-day technical oversight, aligning team goals with business objectives, and managing multiple projects with competing priorities. Effective communication across cross-functional teams and stakeholders is crucial for success. To navigate these challenges, directors typically implement agile methodologies, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and prioritize mentorship and career development for their teams.

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

To thrive as a Director Of Software Development, you need extensive experience in software engineering, strong leadership abilities, and often a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with agile methodologies, cloud platforms, project management tools, and relevant certifications such as PMP or Scrum Master are commonly expected. Excellent communication, strategic thinking, and conflict resolution skills help you lead teams and align technology goals with business objectives. These skills ensure effective project delivery, team motivation, and a strong alignment between technical solutions and organizational strategy.

What is the difference between Director Of Software Development vs Software Engineering Manager?

AspectDirector Of Software DevelopmentSoftware Engineering Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple teams, strategic planning, and long-term goalsManages day-to-day engineering teams, project execution, and technical guidance
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS or related, leadership experienceBachelor's/Master's in CS or related, technical expertise
Work EnvironmentExecutive-level, cross-department collaborationTechnical team management, project-focused
Industry UsageCommon in large organizations and tech companiesCommon in mid to large tech companies and startups

The main difference is that the Director Of Software Development focuses on strategic leadership and overseeing multiple teams, while the Software Engineering Manager handles daily technical management and project execution. Both roles require technical background and leadership skills, but the director role is more strategic and broad in scope.

More about Director Of Software Development jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Of Software Development jobs in California?

The most popular types of Of Software Development jobs in California are:

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For Director Of Software Development jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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The top searched job categories for Director Of Software Development jobs in California are:

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Cities in California with the most Director Of Software Development job openings:

Director Of Software Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Software Development 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 $175,648 per year, or $84.4 per hour.

Director of Software Development

KORE1 Technologies

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Contractor

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description


KORE1, a nationwide provider of staffing and recruiting solutions, has an immediate opening for  Director of Software Development in the SF Bay area.


Position Summary:
The Director of Software Development will provide strategic and technical leadership over all software development initiatives within the organization. This role will oversee the full software development lifecycle, systems architecture, infrastructure integration, information security, and web development efforts. The Director will manage both internal teams and external contractors to ensure quality, security, performance, and alignment with business goals. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in the Microsoft .NET technology stack, a proven background in team leadership and project delivery, and strong experience with agile and waterfall methodologies.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Direct and manage enterprise software development operations, including project planning, resource management, budgeting, and goal-setting.
  • Oversee teams responsible for software development, systems architecture, web platforms, DevOps, and information security to ensure timely and secure delivery of technical solutions.
  • Lead the end-to-end development lifecycle—from requirements gathering and architecture through testing, deployment, and post-release support.
  • Supervise quality control activities including code reviews, automated testing, user acceptance testing (UAT), and deployment validation.
  • Guide the adoption of modern development methodologies including Agile, Scrum, and Waterfall, tailoring approaches to project needs.
  • Develop, issue, and oversee requests for proposals (RFPs) for software products, architectural solutions, technical services, and vendor support; manage contractor selection, performance, and deliverables.
  • Collaborate with business stakeholders, IT infrastructure, and information security teams to ensure alignment and support for enterprise applications.
  • Provide technical mentorship to development staff and create a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and quality.
  • Evaluate and refine operational processes, team structures, and workflow tools to maximize efficiency and delivery capability.
  • Manage division-level budgets, forecasts, and financial planning related to software development and IT initiatives.
  • Represent the software development organization in meetings with executive leadership, public agencies, and industry partners.
  • Ensure all development efforts align with compliance, privacy, and cybersecurity regulations—including adherence to NIST standards.
  • Drive the selection and adoption of development tools, platforms, and cloud technologies that align with long-term strategic goals.



Qualifications:
Education & Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
  • 10-15 years of progressively responsible experience in software development, with at least 5-7 years in a senior leadership or director role.
  • Proven success leading software engineering teams in the delivery of complex, enterprise-grade applications.
Technical Skills:
  • Expert-level proficiency in the Microsoft .NET technology stack=
  • Strong experience with SQL Server, including database design, optimization, and T-SQL.
  • Familiarity with Azure DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, Git repositories, and automated build/test systems.
  • Knowledge of cloud platforms, especially Microsoft Azure, for deploying and scaling modern web applications..
Leadership & Management:
  • Strong track record of building and mentoring high-performing engineering teams.
  • Experience managing hybrid teams composed of internal developers and external vendors or contractors.
  • Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving, communication, and decision-making skills.
  • Demonstrated success managing project portfolios, budgeting, and cross-functional stakeholder collaboration.



ABOUT KORE1
Specializing in professional and technical recruiting, KORE1 is committed to supporting top IT, Engineering, Creative, Scientific, Accounting and Finance professionals in their career paths. We build deep relationships with leading companies, connecting them to exceptional talent every day. With extensive industry expertise and unmatched opportunities, our goal is to provide a unique experience for our contractors and consultants as they prepare for their next role. We are passionate about matching the right people with the right companies.

Kore1 provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Kore1 complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. Kore1 expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Kore1's employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.
Education:Employment Type: CONTRACTOR

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