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Engineering Management Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Triumph Arcade, Inc

Engineering Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$275K - $400K/yr

Track record of developing engineers: promotions, lateral growth, performance management when needed * Experience in fast-moving consumer product environments where roadmap changes are a feature, not ...

Triumph

Engineering Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$275K - $400K/yr

Track record of developing engineers: promotions, lateral growth, performance management when needed * Experience in fast-moving consumer product environments where roadmap changes are a feature, not ...

L3HHCM20

$127K - $236K/yr

This Systems Engineering management position provides leadership support and is accountable for the technical engineering management of AR rocket propulsion programs that require the design ...

Mochi Health

Engineering Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

They are seeking an Engineering Manager to mentor and scale their engineering team, align technical ... Through direct feedback, empathetic mentorship, and clear performance management, you will ...

Vast

Manager, Engineering

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$150K - $215K/yr

Drive technical decisions and risk management across performance, safety, and compliance. * Lead design reviews, trades, root cause investigations, and corrective actions. * Mentor engineers and ...

ALO

Engineering Manager, Platform Engineering

San Ramon, CA · On-site

$188K - $235K/yr

This role combines technical leadership, people management, and cross-functional collaboration . You will help shape platform strategy, guide architectural decisions, and enable engineering teams to ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsEngineering Management JobsEngineering Management Jobs in California

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:
Engineering Management jobs near you
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.

Engineering Manager

Thinking Machines Lab

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$400K - $500K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

About the Role

We're hiring an Engineering Manager to lead a team of senior and staff-level engineers across ML infrastructure and product. You will help the team build and scale systems that are reliable, performant, and easy to operate.

This role combines collaboration with hand-on work. You'll partner with tech leads to set the technical direction for your team and own its execution. You should also be ready to go deep on system design and contribute directly when needed.

What You'll Do
  • Lead and grow a team of senior and staff-level engineers, setting clear expectations and maintaining a high bar for execution.
  • Own architecture, system design, and long-term technical direction for your team's systems, with emphasis on reliability and performance.
  • Contribute directly to design reviews, prototyping, and debugging critical issues.
  • Partner with researchers and product teams to define roadmaps and prioritize work.
  • Hire and close senior engineering talent. Mentor engineers into technical leaders.
Skills and Qualifications

Minimum qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent industry experience in computer science, engineering, or similar.
  • 8+ years of experience building and scaling production systems, including system design and distributed systems.
  • 3+ years of engineering management experience in high-growth environments.

Preferred qualifications - we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all preferred qualifications, but at least some:

  • Experience managing teams of senior or staff-level engineers.
  • Background in infrastructure, systems engineering, or developer productivity.
  • Familiarity with AI/ML systems, data infrastructure, or high-performance computing.
  • Track record of building or contributing to widely used systems, platforms, or tools.
Logistics
  • Location: This role is based in San Francisco, California. 
  • Compensation: Depending on background, skills and experience, the expected annual salary range for this position is $400,000 - $500,000 USD.
  • Visa sponsorship: We sponsor visas. While we can't guarantee success for every candidate or role, if you're the right fit, we're committed to working through the visa process together.
  • Benefits: Thinking Machines offers generous health, dental, and vision benefits, unlimited PTO, paid parental leave, and relocation support as needed.

Apply