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Engineering Lead Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Prologue

Engineering Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K - $159K/yr

Lead and mentor a growing team of software engineers while remaining an active individual contributor. * Drive technical architecture decisions across API integrations, platform services, and AI ...

TiltEdge Solutions LLC

PLC Engineering Lead

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$95K - $105K/yr

PLC Engineering Lead Work Location: Sunnyvale, CA 94085 Payrate: $ 95K - 105K/annum Duration: Full-time The PLC Engineering Lead demonstrates the capability of communicating, developing, executing ...

AECOM

Mechanical Engineering Lead

Oakland, CA · On-site

$126K - $153K/yr

The Mechanical Engineering Lead should be capable of leading and developing teams to complete building engineering projects. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with internal and ...

NextDeavor Inc.

Value Engineering Lead

San Jose, CA · Remote

$57.74 - $72.14/hr

Value Engineering Lead Full-time Remote You'll be joining Adobe on a contract opportunity, employed through NextDeavor Benefits You'll Love NextDeavor offers health, vision and dental benefits for ...

New

AECOM

Mechanical Engineering Lead

Oakland, CA

$126K - $153K/yr

The Mechanical Engineering Lead should be capable of leading and developing teams to complete building engineering projects. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with internal and ...

AECOM

Mechanical Engineering Lead

Oakland, CA · On-site

$126K - $153K/yr

The Mechanical Engineering Lead should be capable of leading and developing teams to complete building engineering projects. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with internal and ...

AECOM

Mechanical Engineering Lead

San Francisco, CA

$130K - $157K/yr

The Mechanical Engineering Lead should be capable of leading and developing teams to complete building engineering projects. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with internal and ...

AECOM

Mechanical Engineering Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$130K - $157K/yr

The Mechanical Engineering Lead should be capable of leading and developing teams to complete building engineering projects. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with internal and ...

AECOM

Mechanical Engineering Lead

Oakland, CA

$126K - $153K/yr

The Mechanical Engineering Lead should be capable of leading and developing teams to complete building engineering projects. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with internal and ...

Namespace

Engineering Lead, US

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K - $159K/yr

As the Product Engineering Lead, you will establish the US presence, build a high-performing team, and lead technical decisions to develop user-facing applications that improve workflow efficiency.

Compal USA

Software Engineering Lead

Goleta, CA · On-site

The Software Engineering Lead will be responsible for all aspects of software engineering, including software development, integration and test, problem-solving, and team collaboration. Major ...

K&A Engineering

Substation Engineering Lead

Pleasanton, CA · On-site

$180K - $230K/yr

The Substation Engineering Lead will perform but are not limited to the following duties: * Overseeing design of multiple Electrical Substations projects - Includes both execution/detailed design ...

Compal

Software Engineering Lead

Goleta, CA · Hybrid

The Software Engineering Lead will be responsible for all aspects of software engineering, including software development, integration and test, problem-solving, and team collaboration. Major ...

Compal

Software Engineering Lead

Goleta, CA · On-site

The Software Engineering Lead will be responsible for all aspects of software engineering, including software development, integration and test, problem-solving, and team collaboration. Major ...

Joby Aviation

Equipment Engineering Lead

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$152K - $236K/yr

You'll lead a growing team of mechanical engineers, controls engineers, and high-skill build technicians to advance the safety, quality, and throughput of our production lines. The role spans atoms ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsEngineering Lead JobsEngineering Lead Jobs in California

Engineering Lead information

See California salary details

$41.9K

$122.2K

$178.1K

How much do engineering lead jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for engineering lead in California is $122,163.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $101,200.00 and $133,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $500,000 a year?

Senior engineering roles such as Software Engineering Leads, Principal Engineers, and Engineering Directors can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially in high-cost-of-living areas or large tech companies. These positions typically require extensive experience, advanced technical skills, and often include bonuses, stock options, or profit sharing as part of compensation packages.

What does an engineering lead do?

An engineering lead oversees technical teams, manages project development, and ensures engineering goals are met. They coordinate between stakeholders, review technical designs, and often have expertise in coding, systems architecture, or engineering processes. Strong leadership, communication, and technical skills are essential for this role.

What careers can engineering lead to?

An engineering lead can advance to roles such as engineering manager, director of engineering, or chief technology officer, overseeing teams and strategic projects. They often develop skills in project management, leadership, and technical expertise, which are valuable for senior management positions across various industries.

What is the difference between Engineering Lead vs Software Engineer?

AspectEngineering LeadSoftware Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Engineering/Computer Science, leadership experienceBachelor's or higher in Computer Science or related field
Work EnvironmentLeads teams, manages projects, collaborates with stakeholdersDevelops software, writes code, tests applications
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in tech companies, startups, and large enterprisesCommon across all tech sectors and industries

The main difference is that an Engineering Lead oversees technical teams and project management, while a Software Engineer focuses on coding and software development. The Engineering Lead has leadership responsibilities, whereas the Software Engineer primarily contributes technical expertise.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior software engineers, engineering leads, and specialized roles such as data engineers or cloud engineers often earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and in high-demand industries. Compensation can vary based on location, company size, and technical expertise, with many earning additional bonuses or stock options.

What are Engineering Leads?

Engineering Leads are experienced engineers who oversee technical teams within a company. They are responsible for guiding the team’s development processes, ensuring high-quality code, and aligning technical solutions with business goals. In addition to their technical expertise, Engineering Leads mentor team members, facilitate communication between stakeholders, and help prioritize project tasks. Their role often bridges the gap between engineering and management, making them crucial for successful project delivery.

How does an Engineering Lead typically balance hands-on technical work with team leadership responsibilities?

As an Engineering Lead, you'll often split your time between contributing to technical projects and overseeing your team's progress. While you'll still participate in code reviews, architectural decisions, and sometimes active development, a significant portion of your role involves mentoring team members, facilitating communication, and ensuring project milestones are met. Balancing these responsibilities requires strong time management skills and the ability to delegate effectively, so the team can thrive while you maintain technical oversight. This hybrid focus provides opportunities for both technical growth and leadership development.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Engineering Lead, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Engineering Lead, you need a solid background in software development, project management, and a relevant technical degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, agile project management tools (e.g., Jira), and cloud platforms is often required, along with certifications such as PMP or AWS Certified Solutions Architect. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help you guide teams and foster collaboration. These abilities are crucial for ensuring project success, technical excellence, and a productive, motivated engineering team.
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What cities in California are hiring for Engineering Lead jobs? Cities in California with the most Engineering Lead job openings:
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Engineering Lead jobs near you
Infographic showing various Engineering Lead job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $122,163 per year, or $58.7 per hour.
Engineering Lead

Engineering Lead

Prologue

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$120K - $159K/yr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Prologue has been retained by a rapidly growing AI-powered SaaS platform serving mission-driven organizations to identify an Engineering Lead.
This organization leverages advanced data science, machine learning, and automation to help organizations make smarter decisions, improve outcomes, and maximize their impact. Following continued growth in North America, the company is building out its first US-based engineering team and seeking an Engineering Lead to help shape both the technology and the team.
This role combines technical leadership with hands-on engineering. You'll serve as the senior engineering presence in the United States, partnering closely with global leadership while contributing directly to architecture, development, and delivery.
Responsibilities
  • Lead and mentor a growing team of software engineers while remaining an active individual contributor.
  • Drive technical architecture decisions across API integrations, platform services, and AI-powered products.
  • Establish engineering best practices, code quality standards, and scalable development processes.
  • Collaborate closely with Product, Data Science, and Leadership teams to translate business objectives into technical solutions.
  • Design and build scalable backend systems and integrations that support rapid platform growth.
  • Improve system performance, reliability, observability, and operational efficiency.
  • Conduct code reviews, provide technical coaching, and support hiring efforts.
  • Communicate technical risks, priorities, and progress to stakeholders across the organization.
  • Support customer-facing teams on technical initiatives, escalations, and strategic opportunities.
Requirements
  • 5+ years of software engineering experience with strong backend development expertise.
  • Prior experience leading engineers while maintaining hands-on technical ownership.
  • Strong experience with Python and modern backend development frameworks.
  • Expertise designing and supporting RESTful APIs and third-party integrations.
  • Experience working within AWS or similar cloud environments.
  • Strong understanding of scalable system architecture and distributed applications.
  • Experience working with AI, machine learning, LLMs, or intelligent automation platforms.
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively across technical and non-technical teams.
  • Experience operating in fast-paced startup or scale-up environments preferred.
Benefits
  • Competitive compensation package
  • Equity opportunity
  • Comprehensive healthcare coverage
  • Flexible PTO
  • Remote-first environment
  • Opportunity to help build and lead a US engineering organization from the ground up

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply directly or send their updated resume to matt@prologuerecruit.org

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