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Director Of Software Engineering Jobs in California

E-Space

Head of Software Engineering

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$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 ...

Diality

Director, Software Engineering (Irvine)

Irvine, CA · On-site

$270K/yr

The Director of Software Engineering is responsible for establishing software engineering strategy, developing high‑performing organizations, guiding execution across multiple product lines, and ...

Ring Inc

Head of Software Engineering

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$125 - $150/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 ...

E-Space

Head of Software Engineering

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$279K/yr

The Head of Software Engineering will lead the software engineering organization for space vehicle programs, defining the technical vision and driving execution while building a high-performing team.

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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 Sep 7, 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 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 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.

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 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 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.

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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 88% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $240,723 per year, or $115.7 per hour.

Head of Software Engineering

E-Space

Saratoga, CA • On-site

$279K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description

Ready to make connectivity from space universally accessible, secure, and actionable? Then you've come to the right place!
At E-Space, we're focused on bridging Earth and space with the world's most sustainable low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network. We're a team of bold thinkers, ambitious leaders and dynamic doers-and we're disrupting NewSpace by fundamentally changing the design of legacy LEO space systems to deliver entirely new satellite capabilities at a fraction of the cost.
We're intentional, we're unapologetically curious and we're 100% committed-to saving space, to protecting our planet and to turning connectivity into actionable intelligence.
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 and mission-critical delivery.
This is a rare opportunity to build and lead a world-class engineering team at the forefront of commercial and government space. You will set technical vision, drive execution, and be a key voice in company strategy - partnering directly with the CEO, CTO, and program leadership to shape the next generation of space vehicles.
The ideal candidate brings deep hands-on roots in embedded systems, Board Support Package (BSP) development, and communications software - combined with the leadership presence and organizational maturity to scale a high-performing engineering team.
What you will be doing:

Technical Leadership

  • Define and drive the software engineering vision, architecture, and roadmap across all space vehicle programs
  • Provide hands-on technical leadership in embedded systems, BSP development (bootloaders, device drivers, RTOS bring-up), and communications software
  • Oversee software design and implementation for spacecraft comms subsystems including SpaceWire, MIL-STD-1553, CCSDS, and RF data link protocols
  • Own the software architecture for Command & Data Handling (C&DH) systems and mission-critical flight software
  • Champion software quality, reliability, and compliance with applicable standards (DO-178B/C, NASA-STD-8739.8, or equivalent)
  • Drive hardware/software co-design and integration with electrical, systems, and mechanical engineering teams

People & Organizational Leadership

  • Build, grow, and retain a high-performing software engineering organization across multiple disciplines and experience levels
  • Hire, mentor, and develop engineering managers and senior/staff engineers into future technical leaders
  • Foster a culture of engineering excellence, psychological safety, and continuous improvement
  • Define career development frameworks, leveling guidelines, and performance standards for the software engineering team
  • Partner cross-functionally with Program Management, Systems Engineering, and Operations to deliver on commitments

Strategy & Execution

  • Own software program execution - schedules, milestones, risk identification, and mitigation across all active programs
  • Represent software engineering in customer briefings, program reviews, and executive leadership meetings
  • Contribute to business development and proposal efforts - defining software technical approaches and resource estimates for new pursuits
  • Drive make/buy decisions, toolchain investments, and software development process improvements at scale
  • Build and maintain technology partnerships with key vendors, tool suppliers, and industry partners
What you bring to this role:
  • 12+ years of software engineering experience, with 5+ years in engineering leadership (managing managers or leading organizations of 15+ engineers)
  • Deep technical foundation in embedded systems and BSP development - bootloaders, device drivers, kernel bring-up, embedded Linux and/or RTOS (VxWorks, RTEMS, FreeRTOS)
  • Proven experience leading software development for space, defense, or other safety-critical platforms
  • Strong background in communications software - protocol stacks, data link layers, or spacecraft comms subsystems
  • Demonstrated ability to build and scale engineering teams in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment
  • Track record of delivering complex, multi-million-dollar software programs on time and on budget
  • Excellent executive communication skills - able to present to customers, boards, and government stakeholders
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related fiel
Extra bonus points for the following:
  • Active U.S. Security Clearance (Secret or above)
  • Experience with spacecraft C&DH (Command & Data Handling) and flight software development
  • Knowledge of CCSDS protocols and space data system standards
  • Familiarity with DO-178B/C software certification and safety-critical verification frameworks
  • Experience supporting DoD, NASA, or other U.S. Government space programs
  • Exposure to radiation-tolerant or radiation-hardened computing environments
  • Experience leading software capture strategy for large government proposals ($50M+)
  • Master's degree or PhD in a relevant engineering or computer science discipline
Additional Requirements
This is a fast-paced, high-impact environment - flexibility to occasionally work extended hours or weekends during critical periods is expected.
$0 - $0 a year
The estimated range is meant to reflect an anticipated salary range for the position in question, which is based on market data and other factors, all of which are subject to change. Individual pay is based on location, skills and expertise, depth of relevant experience, and other relevant factors. For questions about this, please speak to the recruiter if you decide to apply for the role and are selected for an interview.
This is a full time, exempt position, based out of our Saratoga office.  The target base pay for this position is $100,000 - $185,000 annually.  The total compensation packaged will be determined by various factors such as your relevant job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. 
 
We are redefining how satellites are designed, manufactured and used-so we're looking for candidates with passion, deep knowledge and direct experience on LEO satellite component development, design and in-orbit activities. If that's your experience - then we'll be immediately wow-ed.
 
E-Space is not currently able to provide employment sponsorship for candidates who do not hold work authorization for the location of this role.  
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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