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Director Of Software Engineering Jobs in California

Cotality

Director, Software Engineering

Irvine, CA · On-site

$271.60K/yr

Our talented team of 5,000 employees globally uses our network, scale, connectivity and technology ... Cotality is seeking a highly experienced and strategic Director of Software Engineering to lead our ...

Cadence

Director of Software Security

San Jose, CA · On-site

Cadence is a technology company seeking a Director of Software Security to lead secure software ... DevOps pipelines across cloud platforms: Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, IBMC cloud ...

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See California salary details

$137.2K

$250.7K

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

As of May 28, 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?

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 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 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 engineering jobs pay $500,000?

Senior engineering roles such as Director of Software Engineering, Principal Engineer, or VP of Engineering can reach or exceed $500,000 in total compensation, especially in high-cost living areas or large tech companies. These positions often require extensive experience, leadership skills, and expertise in areas like cloud computing, software architecture, or technical management.

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.

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:
What are popular job titles related to Director Of Software Engineering jobs in California? For Director Of Software Engineering jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Director Of Software Engineering jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Director Of Software Engineering jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Director Of Software Engineering jobs? 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 May 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $240,723 per year, or $115.7 per hour.

Director of Software Development

Coherent Corp.

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Job Description
Key Stakeholder Relationships:
  • PLM (Product Line Management)
  • Hardware Development
  • Systems Engineering
  • Product Validation
  • Global R&D leadership
  • Key customers (technical engagement & architecture discussions)

Top 3 Essential Requirements:
  1. 15+ years embedded software experience + 5+ years managing software teams
  2. Strong experience in Optical Networking (Layer 0 and/or Layer 1), photonic control, network element management
  3. Proven ability to lead architecture, release roadmap, and cross-functional engineering (HW, FW, Systems)

Skills / Experience:
  • Expert in C/C++ for embedded systems
  • Deep experience with L0/L1 optical networking platforms
  • Experience with management interfaces (NETCONF, RESTCONF, gRPC), YANG models
  • Experience with SONiC, FRR, OVS, Linux multiprocess/multithread design
  • CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices
  • Alarms, PMs, North-bound interfaces, service management
  • Cross-site and global team leadership
  • Understanding of L2/L3 routing protocols

Position Responsibilities:
  • Develop and own GS2000 release roadmap
  • Manage resources and commitments across multiple concurrent releases
  • Translate customer/product requirements into feature requirements
  • Lead architectural reviews and code quality standards
  • Deliver timely resolution of customer issues and patch releases
  • Promote GS2000 software with key customers
  • Ensure software documentation is accurate and current
  • Build and develop a high-performing engineering team, mentor junior engineer
  • Collaborate with PLM, HW Development, Systems, and Validation teams

Biggest Challenges / Problem this person is looking to solve:
  • Achieving fast feature velocity without creating technical debt
  • Maintaining cross-functional integration (HW/SW/FW/Systems) within a Global organization
  • Strengthen technical credibility for GS2000 with Hyperscalers and other Tier 1 customers
  • Ensuring robust quality across complex L0/L1 features with a rapidly growing the team
  • Creating and integrating US software team with existing Global SW team engineering team

What Achievements / Successes would you be looking for in their career?
  • Successfully led embedded SW teams for complex optical/networking systems
  • Delivered multiple releases with high quality and predictable timelines
  • Built or scaled an engineering team (architecture + execution)
  • Demonstrated deep customer-facing leadership (technical roadmap, architecture)
  • Proven record of resolving critical field/customer issues rapidly
  • Implemented modern SW practices (CI/CD, DevOps, automated testing)

Working Conditions
  • This position is hybrid
  • May require occasional off-site meetings or travel
  • Regular use of a computer and other office equipment is necessary
  • Interaction with team members and external contacts is a regular part of the job
  • May require occasional overtime and flexibility in work hours to accommodate the executive's needs

Physical Requirements
  • Sitting for extended periods while working on a computer or conducting meetings.
  • Use of hands and fingers for typing, writing, and handling documents.
  • Occasional lifting of objects or materials up to 20 pounds for administrative tasks.
  • Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
  • Mobility within the office environment to attend meetings or interact with colleagues.

Safety Requirements
All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.
Quality and Environmental Responsibilities
Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.
Culture Commitment
Ensure adherence to company's values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:
Integrity - Create an Environment of Trust
Collaboration - Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
Accountability - Own the Process and the Outcome
Respect - Recognize the Value in Everyone
Enthusiasm - Find a Sense of Purpose in Work
Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talentacquisition@coherent.com.
About Us
Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!
Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.

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