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Director Of Software Engineering Jobs in California

General Galactic

Director of Software

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$150 - $210/hr

Led by former SpaceX, Varda, Impulse, and Relativity engineers, our vision is to dominate cislunar ... As Director of Software, you will work directly with the founders and technical team to define and ...

Diality Inc

Director, Software Engineering

Irvine, CA · On-site

$223K - $260K/yr

The Director of Software Engineering reports to Director of Product Development and leads Diality's Software Engineering and Software Verification & Validation organizations. This role serves as the ...

Diality

Director, Software Engineering

Irvine, CA · Hybrid

$223K - $260K/yr

The Director of Software Engineering reports to Director of Product Development and leads Diality's Software Engineering and Software Verification & Validation organizations. This role serves as the ...

E-Space

Head of Software Engineering

Saratoga, CA

$279K/yr

As Director or VP of Software Engineering, you will own the full software engineering organization for our space vehicle programs - from architecture and embedded systems to communications software ...

Ring Inc

Head of Software Engineering

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$100 - $185/hr

As Director or VP of Software Engineering, you will own the full software engineering organization for our space vehicle programs -- from architecture and embedded systems to communications software ...

E-Space

Head of Software Engineering

Saratoga, CA

$279K/yr

As Director or VP of Software Engineering, you will own the full software engineering organization for our space vehicle programs -- from architecture and embedded systems to communications software ...

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

Director Of Software Engineering information

See California salary details

$137.2K

$250.7K

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

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of software engineering in California is $240,723.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $249,700.00 and $249,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Director of Software Engineering, you need deep technical expertise in software development, proven leadership experience, and a relevant degree such as in computer science or engineering. Familiarity with agile methodologies, cloud platforms, project management tools (like Jira), and experience with architectural frameworks are typically required. Outstanding communication, strategic thinking, and the ability to mentor and motivate teams are vital soft skills in this role. These skills ensure effective project delivery, foster innovation, and build high-performing teams aligned with organizational goals.

What does a director of software engineering do?

A Director of Software Engineering leads and manages software development teams within an organization. They oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of software projects, ensuring high quality and timely completion. Their responsibilities include defining technical strategy, mentoring engineering managers and developers, fostering collaboration, and aligning technology initiatives with business goals. Additionally, they often play a key role in recruitment, budgeting, and setting best practices for software development processes.

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

AspectDirector Of Software EngineeringSoftware Development Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple teams, sets strategic goals, manages budgets, and aligns software projects with business objectives.Manages day-to-day software development teams, ensures project delivery, and coordinates technical tasks.
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, strong technical background, experience managing development teams.
Work EnvironmentStrategic, cross-team collaboration, executive communication, often in larger organizations.Technical focus, project management, direct team oversight, often in mid-sized companies.

The main difference is that the Director Of Software Engineering focuses on strategic leadership and organizational oversight, while the Software Development Manager handles daily team management and project execution. Both roles require technical expertise and leadership skills, but the director role involves broader business alignment and higher-level decision-making.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of software engineering when managing cross-functional teams?

A Director of Software Engineering often manages teams composed of engineers, product managers, and designers, which can present challenges in aligning priorities and communication styles. Balancing the technical needs of the engineering team with broader business objectives requires clear communication and strong leadership. Additionally, adapting to rapidly changing technology while ensuring consistent delivery and maintaining team morale is a key challenge. Proactive stakeholder management and fostering a culture of collaboration are essential for success in this role.

What does a director of software engineering do?

As a director of software engineering, your responsibilities are to oversee the daily operations of the software engineering department and the long-term application of strategic planning for the department. You are ultimately responsible for creating policies and objectives for the department in collaboration with other director-level positions in the company. You are also heavily involved in the department’s finances and project management, and you often oversee multiple projects. At larger companies, you may have fewer technical duties, but for small and mid-sized companies, you may code or provide technical and managerial expertise on specific projects.

More about Director Of Software Engineering jobs

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

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

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

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

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

Director Of Software Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Software Engineering job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $240,723 per year, or $115.7 per hour.

Director of Software Engineering, NX Designer

Nextpower LLC, USA

Fremont, CA • On-site

$240 - $260/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Job Description

Nextpower owns the world-leading digital design and optimization platform which enables fully automated, AI-driven engineering for grid-scale solar. The Director of Software Engineering will lead the maintenance, development, and delivery of the next generation of cloud-based, integrated system engineering platform. This leader will drive software modernization, cloud-native architecture, engineering excellence, AI-readiness, and integration across globally distributed teams, ensuring that the system evolves into a scalable digital platform for the full Nextpower product line.

Technical Leadership & Architecture
  • Define the long‑term technical vision and architecture for the platform, transitioning from standalone tools to a unified cloud platform.
  • Lead architectural modernization including microservices, event‑driven workflows, shared computation engines, scalable databases, and high‑performance optimization layers.
  • Architect the next‑generation optimization platform enabling multi‑objective optimization, AI/ANN warm‑starting, evolutionary algorithms.
  • Ensure systems support large‑scale computational loads, high availability, secure multi‑tenant access, and modular design for future product expansion.
  • Ensure engineering readiness for AI agents, optimization engines, and data‑driven automation.
Execution & Delivery
  • Lead global software development teams (India and Brazil).
  • Drive predictable, high‑quality software releases with clear milestones, testing, CI/CD, and DevOps automation.
  • Own end‑to‑end software delivery: requirements → architecture → implementation → QA → production rollout.
People Leadership
  • Manage and grow distributed engineering teams across India, Brazil, and the US (approx. 35+ engineers across software development, QA, DevOps, and analysts).
  • Mentor engineering managers and technical leads; establish a culture of technical excellence, ownership, and innovation.
  • Partner closely with Product Management to align roadmaps with engineering capacity and business priorities.
  • Build organizational clarity across Product, R&D, PJE, Supply Chain, Sales, and Operations.
Required Skills & ExperienceTechnical Skills
  • 10+ years of experience leading cloud software engineering teams.
  • Strong background in cloud architecture (Azure, AWS, GCP), distributed systems, and microservices.
  • Experience architecting complex computational platforms, ideally involving optimization, simulation, or engineering workflows.
  • Expertise in backend architecture (Python, Node.js, Java, or similar), cloud‑native databases, caching strategies, DevOps, CI/CD, automated QA, scalable compute (containers, serverless, orchestration), and API platforms and integration frameworks.
  • Preferred: experience with optimization algorithms, AI/ML integration, agentic AI, or simulation engines.
Leadership Skills
  • Proven ability to scale and lead multi‑country engineering teams.
  • Strong collaboration with Product Management and cross‑functional stakeholders.
  • Ability to manage large roadmaps, budgets, and complex technical dependencies.
  • Excellent communication skills with ability to explain technical decisions at executive level.
Benefits

Nextpower offers a comprehensive benefits package. We provide health care coverage, dental and vision, 401(K) participation including company matching, company paid holidays with unlimited paid time off, generous discretionary company bonuses, life and disability protection, and more. Employees in certain positions may be eligible for stock compensation. All plans are in accordance with relevant plan documents. For more information on Nextpower benefits please view our company website at www.Nextpower.com.

Salary

Pay is based on market location and may vary based on factors including experience, skills, education, and other job‑related reasons. The annual salary range for this position is $240,000.00–$260,000.00 (Applicable to California).

Mission

At Nextpower, we are driving the global energy transition with an integrated clean energy technology platform that combines intelligent structural, electrical, and digital solutions for utility‑scale power plants. Our comprehensive portfolio enables faster project delivery, higher performance, and greater reliability, helping our customers capture the full value of solar power. Our talented worldwide teams are redefining how solar power plants are designed, built, and operated every day with smart technology, data‑driven insights, and advanced automation. Together, we’re building the foundation for the world’s next generation of clean energy infrastructure.

Nextpower is an equal‑opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

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