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Engineering Manager Jobs in Santa Maria, CA (NOW HIRING)

Imerys

Production Supervisor (Engineer)

Lompoc, CA · On-site

$85K - $100K/yr

Following the successful completion of this rotation, you will transition into other engineering and leadership functions (such as Process Engineering, Reliability, or Project Management) to develop ...

Imerys

Production Supervisor (Engineer)

Lompoc, CA · On-site

$85K - $100K/yr

Following the successful completion of this rotation, you will transition into other engineering and leadership functions (such as Process Engineering, Reliability, or Project Management) to develop ...

City of Lompoc, CA

Principal Civil Engineer

Lompoc, CA · On-site

$11K - $13K/mo

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Plan, organize, and manage the engineering services of the City * Supervise, train, and evaluate the work of professional, technical, and support staff * Prepare comprehensive engineering and ...

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All JobsEngineering JobsEngineering Manager JobsEngineering Manager Jobs in Santa Maria, CA

Engineering Manager information

See Santa Maria, CA salary details

$47.7K

$150.5K

$178.4K

How much do engineering manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for engineering manager in Santa Maria, CA is $150,545.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $119,400.00 and $177,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

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 is an engineering manager?

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.

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 technical staff and other departments, often providing leadership, mentorship, and strategic planning. Strong communication, technical expertise, and management skills are essential for this role.
More about Engineering Manager jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Engineering jobs in Santa Maria, CA?

The most popular types of Engineering jobs in Santa Maria, CA are:

What job categories do people searching Engineering Manager jobs in Santa Maria, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Engineering Manager jobs in Santa Maria, CA are:

What cities near Santa Maria, CA are hiring for Engineering Manager jobs?

Cities near Santa Maria, CA with the most Engineering Manager job openings:

Engineering Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Engineering Manager job openings in Santa Maria, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $150,545 per year, or $72.4 per hour.

Software Integration & Test Engineering Manager I

Inspired Flight Technologies, Inc

San Luis Obispo, CA • On-site

$140K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

Company Description
Inspired Flight's Purpose Statement says it all - Conserving resources, creating jobs, and saving lives by innovating the American drone manufacturing. Founded in San Luis Obispo, California our entirely U.S. based team designs, builds and supports highly capable and flexible drone platforms for both commercial and government customers.
Our purpose driven team exemplifies our Core Values. We are:
Collaborative: We harness the collective intelligence and energy of our team to surpass individual potentials and achieve shared goals.
Resilient: We approach obstacles with flexibility and creativity, supporting one another to stay focused, resourceful, and determined.
Diverse: We place a high value in people of all heritages, genders, sexual orientations, and points of view to spark innovation and solutions, enriching our work environment and outputs.
Continuously Improving: We are committed to ongoing learning and innovation by always seeking ways to enhance our processes, products, and personal expertise.
Underlying all of this is our deeply rooted belief that the cutting-edge aerial tools we create are advancing an industry that is good for people, good for our planet and good for the United States of America.
Location
This is an in-office position for hire at Inspired Flight's HQ in San Luis Obispo, CA.
Job Description
Inspired Flight is seeking a talented and experienced Engineering Manager to join our team. An Engineering Manager is a specialized role responsible for leading a team that focuses on software development, integration of payloads, and running validation and reliability testing for complex hardware and software systems.
This position is at the core of the engineering department at Inspired Flight and will be part of a rapidly growing company in the growing UAV industry.
Typical responsibilities:
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 4-8 software and test engineers.
  • Provide technical guidance on system architecture and code.
  • Champion best practices in software engineering, drone testing, and DevOps.
  • Manage software development lifecycle from requirements through deployment.
  • Work with product/hardware engineering teams to define integration & test requirements.
  • Interface with Product and Program Management on scope, schedules, and risk communication.

You'll excel in this role if you have:
  • Experience with UAS/drone systems.
  • Experience in working with developing & testing software on hardware systems.
  • Proficiency in Android app development, AWS, C++, Java, C#.
  • Experienced in leading front end web development
  • Familiarity with QGC, ArduPilot, PX4, and MavLink.
  • Strong technical leadership and decision-making abilities.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • UAV Pilot experience and/or a FAA Part 107 License.

Education/Experience Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent discipline.
  • 7+ years experience, with at least 2 years leadership experience.
  • Experience in a related field, preferably: UAS, aviation, aerospace, robotics, autonomy or defense industry.

Salary & Benefits Offered
  • $140,000-$170,000 DOE
  • Unlimited Paid Time Off
  • World Class Health, Dental, Vision Insurance Plan
  • 401k w/ 6% company match
  • Quarterly Team Bonus Plan

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may need to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Inspired Flight is deeply committed to building a workplace where inclusion is not only valued, but prioritized. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer that seeks to create a welcoming and diverse environment. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, or expression, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, neurodiversity, age, or veteran status, or any other non-merit based or legally protected grounds.
The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.

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