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Engineering Management Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Directs an engineering group responsible for all development of chemical delivery components ... Working knowledge of supplier qualification, component specifications, change management (SNF, SPS ...

Strong people management skills -- coaching engineers, managing performance, and fostering team growth * Excellent prioritization and project management abilities , especially in fast-moving sprint ...

Strong people management skills - coaching engineers, managing performance, and fostering team growth * Excellent prioritization and project management abilities , especially in fast-moving sprint ...

Required : • 3+ years of engineering management experience, with direct people management and hiring accountability • Strong technical foundation -- you've built backend, mobile, or full-stack ...

At least 7 years of direct experience in software engineering and 2 years of engineering management * Bachelor's or advanced degree in computer science or a related discipline * Excellent programming ...

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Engineering Management information

See California salary details

$45.9K

$144.9K

$171.7K

How much do engineering management jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for engineering management in California is $144,945.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $115,000.00 and $170,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What do you do in engineering management?

Engineering management involves overseeing engineering teams, coordinating projects, and ensuring technical goals are met. It includes tasks such as planning, resource allocation, budgeting, and communicating with stakeholders. Strong leadership, technical knowledge, and project management skills are essential in this role.

What are some common challenges faced by engineering managers when balancing technical leadership and people management responsibilities?

Engineering managers often navigate the dual responsibilities of providing technical guidance while also supporting and developing their teams. A common challenge is allocating time between strategic planning, mentoring engineers, resolving interpersonal issues, and staying up-to-date with technology trends. Effective engineering managers build trust with their team, delegate technical tasks appropriately, and set clear priorities to balance both people management and technical oversight. Regular communication and leveraging feedback are key to successfully managing these demands.

Is a degree in engineering management worth it?

A degree in engineering management provides foundational knowledge in engineering principles and leadership skills, which can enhance career prospects in roles such as engineering manager. It often helps in gaining certifications like PMP and developing skills in project management tools, making candidates more competitive in the engineering industry.

What is the difference between Engineering Management vs Mechanical Engineering?

AspectEngineering ManagementMechanical Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, Business, or Management; often an MBABachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering; PE license optional
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles, project oversight, team coordinationDesign, analysis, research, manufacturing
Industry UsageProject management, operations, product developmentProduct design, testing, manufacturing, R&D

Engineering Management focuses on leading engineering teams, managing projects, and aligning technical work with business goals. Mechanical Engineering involves designing and analyzing mechanical systems. While both roles require engineering backgrounds, Engineering Management emphasizes leadership and organizational skills, whereas Mechanical Engineering centers on technical expertise in mechanical systems.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an engineering manager?

To thrive as an Engineering Manager, you need a solid background in engineering principles, leadership experience, and often a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with project management tools (like Jira or Asana), software development methodologies, and sometimes certifications such as PMP or Agile Scrum Master are typically used in the role. Strong communication, problem-solving, and team-building abilities help you motivate teams and bridge technical and business goals. These skills are crucial for delivering high-quality projects, fostering innovation, and ensuring alignment between engineering teams and organizational objectives.

What is engineering management?

Engineering management is a specialized field that combines the technical expertise of engineering with the organizational, administrative, and planning abilities of management. Engineering managers oversee teams of engineers and projects, ensuring that technical solutions are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required standards. They bridge the gap between engineering and business, making decisions about project direction, resource allocation, and process improvements while also mentoring and guiding engineering staff. This role typically requires both engineering experience and strong leadership skills.

What jobs can you get from engineering management?

Engineering management prepares individuals for roles such as engineering manager, project manager, technical director, product manager, and operations manager. These positions involve overseeing engineering teams, managing projects, and coordinating technical efforts, often requiring leadership skills, technical expertise, and certifications like PMP or Six Sigma. Career progression can also lead to executive roles such as director of engineering or chief technology officer.
What are the most commonly searched types of Engineering Management jobs in California? The most popular types of Engineering Management jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Engineering Management jobs? Cities in California with the most Engineering Management job openings:
Infographic showing various Engineering Management job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $144,945 per year, or $69.7 per hour.

Director, Engineering Management

Amat

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

$189K - $260K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday


Job description

Who We Are

Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips - the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world - like AI and IoT. If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world.

What We Offer

Salary:

$189,000.00 - $260,000.00

Location:

Santa Clara,CA

You'll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible-while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more.

At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We're committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits.

Key Responsibilities

  • Directs an engineering group responsible for all development of chemical delivery components, systems and resolves issues across business unit product line, including the design, development and implementation of unusually complex engineering programs in accordance with project budgets and release schedules.
  • Anticipates future needs and initiates the development and implementation of new approaches to engineering design and development at the business unit level with complex scope and customer impact.
  • Develops long-range plans and creates general engineering or product specific strategies to reach goals and reviews engineering specifications.
  • Interfaces with internal and external customers on engineering issues involving the unit's products
  • Works with senior leaders to ensure that such programs, strategies, and processes address high value problems for the Business Unit and are aligned with the organization's direction.
  • Provides approval guidelines and leadership to reporting team in the area of long-term program, strategy, product and process design.
  • Serve as the executive point of accountability for systemic chemical delivery field issues impacting multiple tools or customers
  • Own supplier engagement model for chemical delivery components, including roadmap alignment, qualification strategy, and escalation ownership
  • Defines performance metrics and reports on the engineering functions' progress against goals.

Functional Knowledge

  • Deep expertise in chemical and gas delivery systems, including mass flow controllers, valves, filters, gas panels, diagnostics, and control architectures
  • Strong understanding of systemlevel integration challenges impacting purity, flow accuracy, pressure stability, response time, and safety
  • Working knowledge of supplier qualification, component specifications, change management (SNF, SPS, PQP), and validation methodologies
  • Familiarity with semiconductor manufacturing requirements for critical inflections (e.g., advanced logic, DRAM, emerging materials, and nextgeneration platforms)

Business Expertise

  • Ability to translate customer and BU technology inflections into clear, prioritized technical strategies and execution roadmaps
  • Experience balancing cost, risk, quality, and timetomarket tradeoffs in highvolume, highreliability product environments
  • Strong understanding of cost of poor quality, field impact drivers, and lifecycle value creation through standardization and reuse
  • Demonstrated skill in aligning COE objectives with broader SPG and corporate business priorities

Leadership

  • Proven ability to lead and scale a global, multidisciplinary engineering organization across systems, components, suppliers, and automation
  • Establishes clear ownership, accountability, and operating mechanisms between the COE, Business Units, Supplier Quality, and Supply Chain
  • Coaches and develops senior technical leaders while building sustainable team capacity through structure, clarity, and focus
  • Leads through influence as well as authority, driving alignment across organizations with competing priorities

Problem Solving

  • Frames ambiguous, crossBU technical problems into structured problem statements, hypotheses, and executable plans
  • Drives rootcause analysis and longterm corrective actions for complex field and supplier issues
  • Anticipates systemic risks in chemical delivery architectures and proactively implements preventative strategies
  • Uses data, engineering judgment, and firstprinciples thinking to guide decisions under uncertainty

Impact

  • Improves tool reliability, yield sensitivity, and customer confidence through disciplined chemical delivery architectures and standards
  • Reduces recurring escalations, field failures, and supplier variability by establishing closedloop feedback and ownership
  • Accelerates adoption of new technologies by ensuring chemical delivery readiness and scalability
  • Creates durable competitive advantage for Applied Materials through differentiated delivery capability and execution excellence

Interpersonal Skills

  • Communicates complex technical and risk topics clearly and concisely to executive, engineering, and supplier audiences
  • Builds credibility and trust with Business Units, suppliers, and crossfunctional partners
  • Operates effectively in highstakes escalation environments with clarity, composure, and decisiveness
  • Encourages healthy technical debate while driving timely decisions and accountability

Position requires understanding of Applied Materials global Standards of Business Conduct and compliance with these standards at all times. This includes demonstrating the highest level of ethical conduct reflecting Applied Materials' core values.

Additional Information

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Type:

Assignee / Regular

Travel:

Yes, 25% of the Time

Relocation Eligible:

Yes

The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.

For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.

Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

In addition, Applied endeavors to make our careers site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us via e-mail at Accommodations_Program@amat.com, or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 877-612-7547, option 1, and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.