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Director Of Software Engineering Jobs in San Ramon, CA

Pixar

Director, Core Engineering

Emeryville, CA

$243K - $314K/yr

Collaborates with the VP of Software R&D, Directors of Engineering, Engineering Team Leads, and key Production partners to help develop the vision and long-term strategy for the Tools group

DocuSign

Director, Software Engineering

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$202K - $299K/yr

What you'll do As the Director of Engineering for Search, you serve as the strategic architect ... software engineering leadership, specifically managing teams focused on large-scale distributed ...

Walmart

(USA) Director, Software Engineering

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$169K - $338K/yr

The Director, Software Engineering leads the execution and delivery of complex software and AI/ML systems, ensuring scalability, reliability, and alignment with strategic objectives. This role ...

Walmart

(USA) Director, Software Engineering

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$169K - $338K/yr

The Director, Software Engineering leads the execution and delivery of complex software and AI/ML systems, ensuring scalability, reliability, and alignment with strategic objectives. This role ...

Walmart

(USA) Director, Software Engineering

Fremont, CA · On-site

$169K - $338K/yr

The Director, Software Engineering leads the execution and delivery of complex software and AI/ML systems, ensuring scalability, reliability, and alignment with strategic objectives. This role ...

Walmart

(USA) Director, Software Engineering

San Jose, CA · On-site

$169K - $338K/yr

The Director, Software Engineering leads the execution and delivery of complex software and AI/ML systems, ensuring scalability, reliability, and alignment with strategic objectives. This role ...

Walmart

(USA) Director, Software Engineering

Hayward, CA · On-site

$169K - $338K/yr

The Director, Software Engineering leads the execution and delivery of complex software and AI/ML systems, ensuring scalability, reliability, and alignment with strategic objectives. This role ...

Walmart

(USA) Director, Software Engineering

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$169K - $338K/yr

The Director, Software Engineering leads the execution and delivery of complex software and AI/ML systems, ensuring scalability, reliability, and alignment with strategic objectives. This role ...

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All JobsOf Software Engineering JobsDirector Of Software Engineering JobsDirector Of Software Engineering Jobs in San Ramon, CA

Director Of Software Engineering information

See San Ramon, CA salary details

$155.3K

$283.9K

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

As of Jul 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of software engineering in San Ramon, CA is $272,582.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $282,700.00 and $282,700.00 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 San Ramon, CA? The most popular types of Of Software Engineering jobs in San Ramon, CA are:
What job categories do people searching Director Of Software Engineering jobs in San Ramon, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Director Of Software Engineering jobs in San Ramon, CA are:
What cities near San Ramon, CA are hiring for Director Of Software Engineering jobs? Cities near San Ramon, CA 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 San Ramon, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $272,582 per year, or $131 per hour.

Director, Core Engineering

Pixar

Emeryville, CA

$243K - $314K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago

Job description

The Software R&D Core team designs and develops foundational libraries and technologies used by software engineers across Pixar and the broader industry to build high performance graphics applications. These technologies include USD, Hydra, Storm, our proprietary rigging engine, and our in-house application framework. The Core team also includes our UX design team which drives user experience for our proprietary software.

The Director of Core Engineering sets the strategy and execution plans for the Core team in alignment with both short-term and long-term studio priorities. They oversee Team Leads to directly influence the design and evolution of proprietary software solutions supporting and empowering production. This role also maintains relationships with other groups and teams within Software R&D, Systems, RenderMan and various production departments and engineering teams within Disney for technical collaboration and distills incoming feedback into a clear direction and priorities for their Group. The Director of Core oversees key external-facing technologies such as USD, Hydra, OpenExec and OpenSubdiv and is a driver of collaboration with industry partners.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Leads a group of high-performing engineers to identify and deliver foundational technologies enabling novel and innovative tools and workflows

  • Collaborates with the VP of Software R&D, Directors of Engineering, Engineering Team Leads, and key Production partners to help develop the vision and long-term strategy for the Tools group

  • Interfaces and collaborates with industry partners regarding USD, Hydra, OpenExec and OpenSubdiv, delivering open-source technologies with industry-wide impact

  • Leads teams to plan and deliver against production driven roadmaps, both in quality and quantity, in a sustainable way, balancing priorities from a diverse set of stakeholders

  • Collaborates with technical leads and project managers in Studio Tools, Systems, RenderMan and Production to align goals and priorities, identifying and negotiating cross-team dependencies, facilitating a cohesive, harmonious team dynamic

  • Initiates, implements and evangelizes engineering practices to build high quality software in a sustainable way

  • Directly manages a high performance group of team leads, providing technical oversight, promoting collaboration across teams and helping guide recruiting, personnel management and career development

  • Builds a diverse, inclusive, fair, collaborative, and dynamic environment

REQUIREMENTS:

  • BS or MS in Computer Science or equivalent

  • 10+ years of industry experience (as an engineer or engineering lead)

  • 5+ years of experience managing or leading a development team

  • Strong working knowledge of modern software development methodologies and design patterns and experience leading significant software projects/products

  • Demonstrated success building world class software

  • Expertise in C++ and Python

  • Practical knowledge of commercial software used in production and/or for software development

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

The hiring range for this position in Emeryville is $243,100.00 to $314,600.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.

Pixar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We know our storytelling is at its best when we include, celebrate and embrace difference. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. We are committed to building a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Pixar participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

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