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Head Of Development Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Dr. Squatch

Head of R&D

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$190K - $210K/yr

Squatch is seeking a Head of R&D to lead the next phase of technical and product innovation across the organization. We are seeking a hands-on technical leader who can help scale and evolve the ...

Dr. Squatch

Head of R&D

Marina Del Rey, CA · On-site

$190K - $210K/yr

Squatch is seeking a Head of R&D to lead the next phase of technical and product innovation across the organization. We are seeking a hands-on technical leader who can help scale and evolve the ...

Wonderschool

Head of Engineering

San Francisco, CA

It is a hands-on leadership role: you will manage the team, drive execution, improve development processes, and partner closely with Product and the Head of AI Agent Systems to increase velocity.

Wonderschool

Head of Engineering

San Francisco, CA · On-site

It is a hands-on leadership role: you will manage the team, drive execution, improve development processes, and partner closely with Product and the Head of AI Agent Systems to increase velocity.

Plaid Inc

Head of Corporate Development

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$199K - $355K/yr

As Head of Corporate Development you will report directly to the CFO and serve as Plaid's primary architect for build-vs-buy decisions. Beyond executing deals, you will be a key voice in shaping ...

Redwood Resources

Head Of People

Culver City, CA

$220K/yr

Head of People The Head of People is a member of the Executive Leadership Team and is responsible ... Establish leadership development and succession planning programs. * Partner with executives on ...

David AI

Head of Engineering

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Responsibilities : • Lead the design and development of core tools that help users make sense of ... Head of Operations - deploying interfaces to collect new data efficiently. Qualifications

Dr. Squatch

Head of R&D

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$190K - $210K/yr

Squatch is seeking a Head of R&D to lead the next phase of technical and product innovation across the organization. We are seeking a hands-on technical leader who can help scale and evolve the ...

Wonderschool

Head of Engineering

San Francisco, CA · On-site

... Head of Engineering is responsible for leading a high-performing engineering team to ensure the ... into the development process. Responsibilities : • Ensure the team consistently ships high ...

Valency Systems Inc

Head of Engineering

Berkeley, CA · On-site

The Position As our Head of Engineering, you will report directly to the CEO. You will own the ... Foster an environment of intellectual humility, open source contribution, and AI-native development ...

Monaco Inc

Head of Talent

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150 - $250/hr

We're looking for our first dedicated Head of Talent to build and scale our recruiting function ... You'll own recruiting, talent development, and foundational people operations as we grow rapidly.

Doist

Head of Product Development Engineering

San Jose, CA · On-site

$220 - $280/hr

Head of Product Development Engineering Summary: The Head of Product Development Engineering will be responsible for taking Ethernovia's products from NPI to HVM. Key Responsibilities * End-to-end ...

New

Motehydrogen

Head of Business Development

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$80 - $120/hr

Source and negotiate MOUs, LOIs, and commercial agreements for joint project development, hydrogen offtake, carbon dioxide offtake, and other kinds of partnerships * Identify and solicit new business ...

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Showing results 41-60

All JobsHead Of Development JobsHead Of Development Jobs in California

Head Of Development information

See California salary details

$84.8K

$100.4K

$114.5K

How much do head of development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for head of development in California is $100,411.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $92,900.00 and $107,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a head of development do?

A Head of Development is responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and delivery of software or product development projects within an organization. They lead development teams, set technical direction, establish best practices, and collaborate with other departments to ensure projects align with business goals. Additionally, they manage budgets, timelines, and resources, while mentoring team members and driving innovation. Their role is crucial in ensuring that development processes are efficient and that products meet quality standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a head of development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Head of Development, you need extensive experience in software engineering, leadership, and project management, often supported by a relevant degree and proven track record in leading development teams. Familiarity with development frameworks, agile methodologies, project management tools (like Jira or Trello), and code versioning systems (such as Git) is essential. Strong communication, strategic thinking, and the ability to mentor and motivate teams are crucial soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure the delivery of high-quality products, effective team performance, and alignment with organizational goals.

What are some common challenges faced by a head of development, and how can they be addressed?

A Head of Development often navigates challenges such as balancing strategic planning with hands-on project oversight, managing cross-functional teams, and ensuring consistent code quality across multiple projects. Effective communication, delegation, and fostering a collaborative environment are crucial to overcoming these hurdles. Additionally, staying updated with the latest technologies and development methodologies helps in guiding the team toward best practices and innovation.

What is the difference between Head Of Development vs Software Development Manager?

AspectHead Of DevelopmentSoftware Development Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire development strategy, manages multiple teams, aligns tech goals with business objectivesManages software projects, leads development teams, ensures project delivery on time and within scope
Required CredentialsTypically requires extensive experience in software development, leadership, and strategic planningRequires strong technical background, project management skills, and software engineering experience
Work EnvironmentExecutive-level, cross-departmental collaboration, strategic planningTeam-focused, project-driven, technical environment

The Head Of Development generally holds a higher strategic and leadership role, overseeing multiple teams and aligning development efforts with business goals. The Software Development Manager focuses more on managing specific projects and teams to deliver software solutions. Both roles require technical expertise, but the Head Of Development emphasizes strategic oversight and organizational leadership.

What are the most commonly searched types of Of Development jobs in California?

The most popular types of Of Development jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Head Of Development jobs?

Cities in California with the most Head Of Development job openings:

Head Of Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Head Of Development job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,411 per year, or $48.3 per hour.

Head of R&D

Dr. Squatch

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$190K - $210K/yr

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Why We Exist and What We Do:

At Dr. Squatch (www.drsquatch.com), we're raising the bar on men's personal care with our line of natural, high-performance products. We're on a high-growth, fast-moving ride, continually introducing new product categories, launching into retailers nationwide, and growing internationally. We have been recognized and certified by Great Place to Work® multiple times, and we achieved status as a certified B Corp in 2023. We are looking for passionate, talented people who want to join us in our mission to inspire and educate men to be happier and healthier!

About the Role:

Dr. Squatch is seeking a Head of R&D to lead the next phase of technical and product innovation across the organization. We are seeking a hands-on technical leader who can help scale and evolve the organization's product development capabilities while navigating the increasing operational complexity that comes with rapid growth across retail and omnichannel channels.

The ideal candidate combines deep formulation expertise with strong operational judgment and an entrepreneurial mindset. This person should be equally comfortable evaluating ingredient systems, troubleshooting manufacturing realities, influencing executive stakeholders, and making practical decisions in fast-moving environments. Success in the role will require balancing speed, scalability, quality, cost, and formulation integrity without creating unnecessary process or bureaucracy.

Reporting into executive leadership, the Head of R&D will oversee a multidisciplinary technical organization spanning formulation, product development, and manufacturing/process engineering. They will serve as a key strategic and technical partner internally and with Unilever stakeholders as the company continues expanding across categories and channels. The mandate is not simply to support the current business — it is to help build the technical foundation, team, and operating capabilities needed for the next stage of growth.

This is a full-time, hybrid role with company benefits, based in Marina Del Rey, CA, that requires 3 days per week at Dr. Squatch HQ.
The anticipated base compensation range for this role will be $190,000 to $210,000. Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate's experience and local market rates.

What You'll Do:

  • Technical Development & Formulation Leadership
    • Own technical strategy and decision-making across the full product development lifecycle
    • Lead formulation development across soaps, deodorants, body care, hair care, skincare, and adjacent categories
    • Evaluate ingredient systems, raw materials, and manufacturing processes to ensure product performance, scalability, and brand alignment
    • Serve as the company's senior technical authority across formulation, quality, and product performance discussions
    • Translate complex scientific concepts into clear, actionable recommendations for commercial and executive stakeholders
    • Ensure speed-to-market without compromising formulation integrity, product quality, or technical rigor
  • Innovation & Pipeline Leadership
    • Lead the innovation pipeline from concept through commercialization across new products, reformulations, and adjacent category expansion
    • Partner cross-functionally to identify whitespace opportunities and prioritize future growth platforms
    • Drive a consumer- and insight-led innovation agenda while balancing operational feasibility and regulatory considerations
    • Build scalable development processes and ways of working that improve agility, execution, and cross-functional collaboration
    • Help evolve the organization's long-term R&D and innovation capabilities as the business continues to scale
  • Manufacturing & External Partnerships
    • Lead technical relationships with contract manufacturers, raw material suppliers, and external development partners
    • Oversee manufacturing scale-up and troubleshooting activities across co-manufacturing networks
    • Support cost optimization and continuous improvement initiatives without compromising consumer experience or product quality
    • Navigate technical tradeoffs and stakeholder alignment with strong judgment and influence
  • Team Leadership
    • Lead, mentor, and develop a team spanning formulation, product development, and manufacturing/process engineering
    • Foster a culture of accountability, technical excellence, curiosity, and collaboration
    • Help attract, develop, and retain high-potential technical talent
    • Operate as a player-coach leader capable of moving fluidly between strategic leadership and hands-on problem solving

About You:

  • Required Experience
    • 10+ years of progressive R&D leadership experience within personal care, beauty, or adjacent consumer products categories
    • Deep hands-on formulation experience; candidates must have meaningful time spent "at the bench," not solely in oversight positions
    • Proven experience scaling formulations through external manufacturing partners and co-manufacturers
    • Demonstrated success leading and developing technical teams
    • Strong ability to communicate effectively with executive, commercial, and technical stakeholders
    • Experience operating effectively in high-growth, fast-paced environments
    • Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related scientific discipline; advanced degree preferred
    • Willingness to relocate to or work in the Los Angeles area on a hybrid basis
  • Strongly Preferred
    • Experience within natural, naturally derived, or clean formulation systems
    • Familiarity with standards such as ISO 16128
    • Experience operating within a founder-led or entrepreneurial brand that later scaled within a larger enterprise environment
    • OTC or sunscreen category experience
    • Exposure to cost optimization and margin improvement initiatives
    • Experience balancing innovation speed with technical rigor and operational scalability

#LI-TC1 #LI-HYBRID #LI-FULLTIME

Who We Are:

Our core values come naturally and make us a better, more whole, and unique team. We are Bold & Innovative - we are creative, rethink how things are done, and find a way. We Play to Win - we have high standards, we encourage ownership of work, we are scrappy, we act with urgency, and we invest in the outcome of our work. We are Team Squatch - we are humble, help others outside our own wheelhouse, stay positive, have fun, and have approachable and transparent leadership.

We offer a competitive salary in a growth-focused & collaborative team environment. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401k with Squatch match, and PTO. We also have great perks like healthy snacks, frequent company events, and of course, free products!

For Applicants with Disabilities. Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified applicants with disabilities may participate in the application process. If you need any accommodations during the hiring process, please let us know when you submit your application and we'll do our very best to adjust as needed.

For Information regarding Data Privacy, please review https://privacy.drsquatch.com/.

Unsolicited Resume Policy. Dr. Squatch ("DRSQ") employs an internal Talent Acquisition department. Exceptionally, DRSQ may choose to supplement that internal team with support from temporary staffing agencies, placement services, and/or recruiting agencies ("Agency"). Agencies are hereby specifically directed NOT to contact DRSQ employees directly in an attempt to present candidates. DRSQ's Talent Acquisition team is responsible for all candidate presentations to our hiring managers.

To protect the interests of all parties, Dr. Squatch will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to DRSQ, including unsolicited resumes sent to a DRSQ email address or mailing address, directly to DRSQ employees, or to DRSQ's resume database will be considered property of Dr. Squatch.

DRSQ will not pay a placement, service or other fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. This also includes partial resumes, LinkedIn profiles, general candidate profiles, and/or candidate details or information. DRSQ will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees.

DRSQ's Talent Acquisition team must provide advance written approval to an Agency to submit resumes and/or profiles for a specific job-opening, and the approval must be in conjunction with a valid fully executed staffing, placement or other service agreement. DRSQ will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have a fully executed agreement in place prior to submission, receipt and placement of candidates.