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Engineering Manager Jobs in Goleta, CA (NOW HIRING)

Umbra

Engineering Manager

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

As the Engineering Manager, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with hardware, software, and product-focused teams, as well as senior leadership, to drive the development of innovative ...

Umbra

Engineering Manager

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

As the Engineering Manager, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with hardware, software, and product-focused teams, as well as senior leadership, to drive the development of innovative ...

Teledyne

Sr. Software Engineering Manager

Goleta, CA

$177K - $236K/yr

Note: the chosen candidate will manage embedded software engineers and/or calibration software engineers depending on experience/qualifications. Qualifications Embedded Programming * 6+ years of ...

AppFolio

Manager, Software Engineering

Goleta, CA

S.? We are hiring an Engineering Manager to lead a high-performing team responsible for bringing this mission to reality. Mixed Portfolio is an enormously complex domain, comprising both Student ...

UNICO Engineering

Resident Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

$150K - $190K/yr

UNICO Engineering provides high quality Construction Management, Land Surveying, and Systems Integration services to public and private clients. With a spirit of cooperation and partnership, UNICO ...

UNICO Engineering

Resident Engineer

Goleta, CA

$150K - $190K/yr

UNICO Engineering provides high quality Construction Management, Land Surveying, and Systems Integration services to public and private clients. With a spirit of cooperation and partnership, UNICO ...

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All JobsEngineering JobsEngineering Manager JobsEngineering Manager Jobs in Goleta, CA

Engineering Manager information

See Goleta, CA salary details

$50.2K

$158.5K

$187.7K

How much do engineering manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for engineering manager in Goleta, CA is $158,465.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $125,700.00 and $186,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as an Engineering Manager, you need a strong background in engineering principles, project management, and leadership, typically with a degree in engineering and prior technical experience. Familiarity with project management tools (such as Jira or Asana), version control systems (like Git), and potentially certifications such as PMP or Scrum Master are highly beneficial. Exceptional communication, conflict resolution, and team-building skills distinguish top performers in this role. These abilities are crucial for successfully leading technical teams, delivering projects on time, and aligning engineering output with organizational goals.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior software engineers, engineering managers, and specialized roles such as principal engineers or staff engineers often earn $300,000 or more annually, especially in high-cost-of-living areas or large tech companies. These roles typically require extensive experience, advanced technical skills, and leadership responsibilities, often involving expertise in cloud computing, system architecture, or machine learning.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior engineering roles such as Principal Engineer, Staff Engineer, or Engineering Director can reach or exceed a $500,000 annual salary, especially in high-demand industries like technology, finance, or specialized fields. These positions typically require extensive experience, advanced technical skills, and often involve leadership responsibilities or equity compensation.

What are Engineering Managers?

Engineering Managers are professionals responsible for leading and overseeing engineering teams within an organization. They coordinate projects, manage team members, allocate resources, and ensure that engineering goals align with company objectives. Their role often involves a combination of technical expertise, leadership, and administrative skills to deliver successful engineering solutions on time and within budget.

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

AspectEngineering ManagerSoftware Development Manager
Primary FocusOversees engineering teams, technical projects, and product developmentManages software development teams, project timelines, and coding processes
Required CredentialsBachelor's or master's in engineering, computer science, or related field; technical expertiseBachelor's or master's in computer science, software engineering, or related field; strong coding background
Work EnvironmentEngineering departments, cross-disciplinary teams, technical environmentsSoftware development teams, Agile/Scrum environments, coding-focused settings
Industry UsageCommon in tech, manufacturing, and engineering firmsPrimarily in tech companies, software firms, and IT services

While both roles involve managing technical teams, Engineering Managers typically oversee broader engineering projects and cross-disciplinary teams, whereas Software Development Managers focus specifically on software projects and coding teams. Understanding these distinctions helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior software engineers, engineering managers, and specialized roles such as data engineers or cloud architects often earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with experience, advanced skills, and working in high-demand industries or companies. Compensation can include base salary, bonuses, and stock options, particularly in technology and finance sectors.

What Is an Engineering Manager?

Engineering managers supervise teams of engineers and other professionals whose jobs are to collaborate on designing and developing products ranging from medical equipment to computer hardware to electrical components. Your job duties are to coordinate with teams and departments, help engineers troubleshoot and problem-solve, and make sure everyone stays on schedule to meet design and production deadlines. You need strong project management skills, extensive engineering knowledge, and excellent communication and leadership skills to succeed as an engineering manager.

How does an Engineering Manager typically balance technical leadership with people management responsibilities?

Engineering Managers are often required to split their time between technical oversight—such as code reviews, architecture decisions, and project planning—and people management tasks like mentoring, performance reviews, and team development. Striking this balance can be challenging, especially in fast-paced environments. Successful Engineering Managers usually prioritize regular one-on-ones, foster open communication, and delegate technical tasks wisely to ensure both project goals and team morale are maintained. This dual focus helps nurture a high-performing, collaborative team while ensuring technical excellence.

What do you do as an engineering manager?

An engineering manager oversees engineering teams, manages project timelines, allocates resources, and ensures technical goals are met. They coordinate between team members, stakeholders, and other departments, often using project management tools and technical expertise to deliver products efficiently.
More about Engineering Manager jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Engineering jobs in Goleta, CA? The most popular types of Engineering jobs in Goleta, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Engineering Manager jobs in Goleta, CA? For Engineering Manager jobs in Goleta, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Engineering Manager jobs in Goleta, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Engineering Manager jobs in Goleta, CA are:
What cities near Goleta, CA are hiring for Engineering Manager jobs? Cities near Goleta, CA with the most Engineering Manager job openings:
Engineering Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Engineering Manager job openings in Goleta, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $158,465 per year, or $76.2 per hour.
Engineering Manager

Engineering Manager

Umbra

Santa Barbara, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Umbra is an American space technology company delivering advanced systems, from sensors to spacecraft, that empower customers worldwide with unmatched access to critical information from space. Our mission is simple and ambitious: redefine space-for people, systems, and missions in every domain. Umbra's ecosystem operates through three business units: Remote Sensing (the data), Space Systems (the components), and Mission Solutions (the platforms).Together, our teams develop capabilities that deliver persistent access, resilient performance, and mission-ready solutions, advancing U.S. space leadership while keeping the world safe and informed.
About the Team
Space Systems is where Umbra turns hardware and software designs into on-orbit realities; developing, implementing and iterating mission-ready core technology, while simultaneously advancing the next generation of our own satellite constellation. Space Systems is vertically integrated across the satellite architecture, thus the team designs, builds, and tests an array of critical components and subsystems, including GNC systems, power systems, communications, control systems, deployment hardware, avionics, and payloads, as well as the flight software, firmware and digital design solutions to support the entire hardware stack. Our focus is on first principles engineering, and our mandate is simple: it has to work when it counts. Every bolt, board, and binary is proven on our own SAR constellation, ensuring flight-proven reliability where failure is not an option.
If you want to work on cutting edge space technology while maintaining the highest standard for innovation and mission ready performance, you belong here at Umbra.
About the Job
We are looking for an experienced Engineering Manager to join the Space Systems Business Group, where you will provide leadership and guidance to both personnel and programs while managing Umbra's highly skilled Engineering teams. This role reports directly to the Vice President of Space Systems and involves overseeing a multi-disciplined team responsible for design, test, implementation and support of cutting-edge satellite technology. As the Engineering Manager, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with hardware, software, and product-focused teams, as well as senior leadership, to drive the development of innovative technologies and support the professional growth of a talented group of engineers.
This position is based on-site in either our Santa Barbara/Goleta, CA office or Arlington, VA office.
Key Responsibilities
  • Manage personnel, oversee programmatic initiatives, and take accountability for the technical quality and schedule performance for a multi-disciplined team within the Space Systems Business Group.
  • Support the professional growth and career development of spacecraft engineers, incorporating feedback from technical leadership.
  • Drive innovation and implement process improvements to Umbra's engineering and space vehicle design practices to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Work closely with project, product, and technical leads to understand project scope, ensuring team members execute tasks with high quality and efficiency.
  • Manage team members in areas such as workload, task assignments, support, development, and conflict resolution.
  • Hold regular one-on-one meetings with team members and conduct quarterly performance evaluations.
  • Partner with various stakeholders to execute headcount planning, recruitment, onboarding and training of new personnel.
  • Represent the team's needs and capacity in technical meetings, collaborating with subject matter experts to ensure well-informed solutions.
  • Work directly with the VP of Space Systems to coordinate and report on departmental efforts.
  • Apply agile methodologies to support sprint planning, track progress, and manage individual performance.
  • Ensure the team adheres to legal, security, and company policy requirements.
  • Perform other professional duties as assigned.

Requirements
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related STEM field.
  • 10+ years of professional experience in aerospace engineering, with at least 5+ years of hands-on experience in space vehicle design.
  • 5+ years of direct engineering personnel management, with proven experience managing senior technical staff members.
  • Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams, including hiring, performance management, career development, succession planning, workload allocation, and accountability for technical quality and schedule performance.
  • Proficiency in traditional project management practices, including critical path analysis, resource planning, and schedule management tools (e.g., MS Project).
  • Working knowledge of Agile methodologies (Scrum, SAFe) and associated tooling (e.g., Jira).
  • Proven ability to build, mentor, and sustain high-performing engineering teams in complex technical environments.
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills, with the ability to engage effectively across technical and executive stakeholders.

Desired Qualifications
  • Advanced degree in Engineering or a related STEM field.
  • 20+ years of professional experience in aerospace engineering, with at least 10+ years of hands-on experience in space vehicle design.
  • 8+ years of direct engineering personnel management, with proven experience managing senior technical staff members.
  • Experience leading engineering teams through full lifecycle programs, from concept development through integration, test, and launch.
  • Demonstrated ability to apply both traditional and Agile management frameworks in aerospace program execution.
  • Experience operating in a fast-paced, development-driven or startup aerospace environment.
  • Professional certifications such as PMP, CAPM, CSM, or equivalent are a plus.

Benefits
  • Flexible Time Off, Sick, Family & Medical Leave
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, STD (employer funded)
  • Vol Life, Critical Illness, Accidental, Hospital Indemnity, Pet Insurance (employee funded)
  • 401k with 3% non-elective company contribution
  • Stock Options
  • Free Parking
  • Free lunch in office daily

Umbra is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
Employment Eligibility Verification
In compliance with federal laws, all hired persons will be required to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States by completing the required Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) upon hire.
ITAR/EAR Requirements
This position may include access to technology and/or data that is subject to U.S. export controls pursuant to ITAR and EAR. To comply with federal export controls, all persons hired must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee or asylee as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), or must otherwise be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or U.S. Department of Commerce as applicable.
Pay Transparency
This job posting may cover multiple career levels. To ensure greater transparency, we provide base salary ranges for all roles, regardless of location. Our standard pay ranges are based on the role's function and level, benchmarked against similar growth-stage companies. Compensation may vary based on geographical location, as certain regions may have different cost-of-living factors. The final offer will also be influenced by the candidate's skills, responsibilities, and relevant experience.
Compensation Range
The Compensation Range for this role is $195,000 - $235,000 DOE.

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