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Executive Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$66.1K

$128K

$221.1K

How much do executive software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for executive software engineer in California is $127,980.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,600.00 and $139,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an executive software engineer?

Executive Software Engineers are senior-level professionals who combine deep technical expertise with leadership responsibilities within an organization. They often oversee software development teams, set technical direction, and bridge communication between technical staff and executive management. Their role includes making high-level architectural decisions, ensuring project alignment with business goals, and mentoring other engineers. Executive Software Engineers are expected to have extensive experience in software development, as well as strong leadership and strategic planning skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an executive software engineer?

To thrive as an Executive Software Engineer, you need advanced software development expertise, leadership experience, and a strong background in computer science or a related field, often supported by a bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with modern programming languages, cloud platforms, architectural frameworks, and certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect or similar are highly valuable. Exceptional communication, strategic thinking, and team management skills help you guide cross-functional teams and align technology with business goals. These qualifications ensure you can drive innovation, oversee complex projects, and deliver scalable solutions that support organizational growth.

How does an executive software engineer typically collaborate with upper management and technical teams?

Executive Software Engineers play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between technical teams and upper management. They are often responsible for translating business objectives into actionable technical strategies, facilitating communication between developers, project managers, and executives. This collaboration may involve leading architectural discussions, guiding project priorities, and ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Regular meetings, strategic planning sessions, and cross-departmental initiatives are common, allowing Executive Software Engineers to influence both technical direction and business outcomes.

What is the difference between Executive Software Engineer vs Software Development Manager?

AspectExecutive Software EngineerSoftware Development Manager
ResponsibilitiesDesigning complex software solutions, coding, technical leadershipManaging development teams, project oversight, strategic planning
Required SkillsAdvanced programming, system architecture, technical expertiseTeam management, communication, project management
Work EnvironmentHands-on coding, technical problem-solvingTeam coordination, stakeholder communication
Common UsageTech companies, engineering teamsLarge organizations, software firms

While both roles require strong technical skills, the Executive Software Engineer focuses on technical design and coding, whereas the Software Development Manager emphasizes team leadership and project management.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Software Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Executive Software Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Executive Software Engineer job openings:

Executive Software Engineer jobs near you

Software Engineer, Manufacturing Test

Anduril Industries

Mountain View, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago

Anduril rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Anduril

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 76,770 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

ABOUT THE JOB

As a Software Engineer in the Manufacturing Test organization, you will join a software development team tasked to ensure that we build quality products - in land, sea, and air. You will work with test executive software that can systematically and thoroughly test our products and create analytics to improve our development cycle. You will champion automation, and work to reduce operator time and instruction complexity through the use of parallel execution, data acquisition, automated deployment tools. You will be presented complex, multiplatform problems with heavy reliance on cloud data systems. In this role you'll need to think creatively and continuously improve our methods of automation, throughput, user interfaces, and data analytics.

WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • Develop applications for Windows and Linux desktop environments.
  • Integrate cloud data and deployment features while maintaining user authentication and security.
  • Generate automation scripts (python) for debug and prototype development.
  • Triage issues, root cause failures, and coordinate next-steps.
  • Partner with end-users to turn needs into features while balancing user experience with engineering constraints.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • BS or MS in CS/CE/EE or equivalent industry experience.
  • Expertise in software development with Python.
  • Experience integrating or developing low-level code and device libraries or drivers.
  • Experience working in CI/CD and designing and delivering DevOps automation for app deployment and testing.
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field.
  • Experience working on multi-disciplinary projects, working closely with Electrical / Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineers.
  • Experience in automated unit, integration and system-level testing.
  • Expertise in version control using git.
  • Ability to travel to Costa Mesa Headquarters 25-50%  
  • Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • 5+ years of relevant industry experience.
  • Experience in manufacturing or industrial software.
  • Understanding of device communication protocols like USB, SPI, I2C, CAN, RS232, RS485, Ethernet, etc.
  • Expertise in desktop application development with WPF and C#.
  • Experience in embedded systems.
  • Experience in automated unit, integration and system-level testing for non-software products.
  • Proficient in RESTful services in AWS/Azure infrastructure.
  • Hands-on working knowledge of a major relational database (DB2, SQL Server etc.) and/or NoSql.
  • Pursuing a Master's of Computer Science or related field.
  • Experience with test automation or cloud deployment tools.

Working at Anduril

About Anduril, in their own words

From Anduril

As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril delivers cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the warfighter in months, not years.

What Anduril employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Anduril Industries logo

About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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