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Director Software Development Jobs in California

Zscaler

Software Development Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

This is an on-site (San Jose, CA) role, reporting to the Director, Software Development Engineering in the Zero Trust Exchange - ZIA Dev Ops/CI/CD/Infra department. In this role, you will be ...

Lucid Motors

Director, Software Programs

Newark, CA

Together, these three roles establish a tightly coupled execution model that aligns software strategy, feature development, integration, and vehicle program needs . The Director, Software Programs ...

Agilent

Software Development Director

Santa Clara, CA · Hybrid

$213K - $333K/yr

About the Role 3 days onsite - hybrid schedule (flexible) We are seeking a Software Development Director to lead global software R&D teams within the Productivity Solutions Division. This role ...

Agilent

Software Development Director

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$213K - $333K/yr

About the Role 3 days onsite - hybrid schedule (flexible) We are seeking a Software Development Director to lead global software R&D teams within the Productivity Solutions Division. This role ...

Adjudicate Inc

Software Development Manager

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$175K - $205K/yr

We are seeking a Software Development Manager who will be responsible for direct leadership of our Software Development team and engage in architecture, development, and ongoing enhancement of the ...

Hermeus

Director, Software Engineering

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$218K - $296K/yr

As the Director of Software Engineering at Hermeus, you will be responsible for overseeing the ... Your primary focus will be on leading the design, development, and integration of software systems ...

Adjudicate Inc

Software Development Manager

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$175K - $205K/yr

We are seeking a Software Development Manager who will be responsible for direct leadership of our Software Development team and engage in architecture, development, and ongoing enhancement of the ...

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All JobsSoftware Development JobsDirector Software Development JobsDirector Software Development Jobs in California

Director Software Development information

See California salary details

$103.1K

$175.6K

$237.8K

How much do director software development jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for director 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?

A Director of Software Development leads and manages software engineering teams to deliver high-quality software products and solutions. They are responsible for setting technical direction, establishing development processes, and aligning projects with business goals. This role involves overseeing project timelines, mentoring engineering managers, collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders, and ensuring teams have the resources needed for success. The Director also plays a key role in recruiting talent, evaluating team performance, and implementing best practices to drive innovation and efficiency.

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

AspectDirector Software DevelopmentSoftware Engineering Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple teams, strategic planning, and long-term goalsManages day-to-day team operations, project delivery, and technical guidance
FocusHigh-level leadership, cross-team coordination, and business alignmentTeam management, technical mentorship, and project execution
Required CredentialsBachelor’s or Master’s in CS or related, extensive experience, leadership skillsBachelor’s or Master’s in CS or related, strong technical background, leadership experience

The main difference is that the Director Software Development focuses on strategic leadership and overseeing multiple teams, while the Software Engineering Manager concentrates on managing individual teams and project execution. Both roles require technical expertise and leadership skills, but the director role involves broader organizational responsibilities.

How does a Director of Software Development typically balance technical leadership with people management responsibilities?

As a Director of Software Development, you are expected to provide both technical direction and effective team leadership. This often means splitting your time between high-level architecture decisions, code reviews, and staying updated on emerging technologies, while also focusing on coaching managers, developing talent, and fostering a collaborative team environment. Balancing these areas requires strong delegation skills, setting clear goals and expectations, and maintaining open communication channels. Many directors find success by empowering technical leads to own day-to-day technical decisions, allowing them to focus on strategic planning, cross-functional alignment, and organizational growth.

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, leadership, project management, and a relevant technical degree. Familiarity with development frameworks, cloud platforms, Agile methodologies, and certifications like PMP or Scrum Master are highly valuable. Strong communication, strategic thinking, and team-building skills help drive cross-functional alignment and motivate high-performing teams. These skills are essential for delivering successful software products, managing complex projects, and fostering innovation within the organization.
What are the most commonly searched types of Software Development jobs in California? The most popular types of Software Development jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Director Software Development jobs? Cities in California with the most Director Software Development job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Director Software Development jobs in CA? For Director Software Development jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Director Software Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Software Development job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $175,648 per year, or $84.4 per hour.
Senior Director of Software Engineering

Senior Director of Software Engineering

Reconstruct

Menlo Park, CA • On-site

$298K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

About the job: Senior Director Software Engineering - SaaS Platform

How often do you get the chance to make a global impact developing the latest AI inside of the built world? Reconstruct's Visual Command Center (VCC) uses AI and Machine Learning inside of computer vision to track the lifecycle of large capital assets like data centers, airports, hospitals, water treatment systems, etc. Come join our team with your talents and leadership as our Senior Director of of Software Engineering SaaS Platform. Check us out at www.reconstructinc.com.

Must be able to work in the company office in Menlo Park, California.

Responsibilities

  • Lead software development team to enhance and maintain best-of-class software development practices while getting hands-on in the code
  • Collaborate with product managers and developers to architect and develop the best SaaS and mobile software for our global base of customers and prospects on six continents
  • Collaborate overall software development with the CEO, product team, and go-to-market team
  • Drive software development roadmaps, operational plans, and execution against project plans and delivery commitments within an agile/scrum environment
  • Report on development progress, quality, operations, and system performance to executive management and act quickly and decisively to resolve customer-impacting issues

Competencies

  • Leadership and Vision - Inspire our people at all levels to accomplish our mission
  • Software Development Experience Bring software development experience that demonstrates excellence and a hands-on attitude
  • Planning and Management Demonstrate effective planning, organizational and operational skills
  • Dynamic Prioritization Prioritize workflows to achieve optimal value delivered to customers
  • Quality Produce high-quality but time-efficient software development best practices

Qualifications and Experience

  • BS or MS in Computer Science or related technical discipline
  • Located in Silicon Valley and work in the office in Menlo Park, California
  • 10+ years of software development experience with at least five years of hands-on cloud environments working with Javascript and Python
  • 5+ years leading agile teams and driving full DevOps software development practices
  • Strong experience in implementing Cloud/SaaS solutions
  • Diverse experience with a hands-on broad range of development platforms, technologies, middleware, frameworks, and programming languages
  • Proven ability to manage multiple teams and meeting aggressive release schedules
  • Strong technical vision and continuous improvement' mindset