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Lead Coder Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Cosm

Lead Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$180K - $200K/yr

Set forth quality code guidelines and standards, lead code reviews, and ensure solutions are aligned to pre-defined architectural specifications. * Contribute to high-level strategic decisions with ...

Lead

Software Engineer II (San Francisco)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$113K - $155K/yr

Join to apply for the Software Engineer II role at Lead Join to apply for the Software Engineer II ... Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining a high quality code base, and consistently ...

Code Campus

Lead Instructor - Rosemead

Alhambra, CA · On-site

$27/hr

... coding experience required) About codeCampus codeCampus is California's largest provider of in ... As a Lead Instructor, you will: * Work with site staff at our partner schools in the area * Lead ...

Vibehackers

Technical Lead

Pleasanton, CA · On-site

$150 - $210/hr

Explicitly mentions vibe coding as a required modern development practice for the role. About the Role Senior GCP Engineer / Technical Lead to design, develop, and maintain scalable cloud data ...

New

Echo IT Solutions

Tech Lead

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

Code generation and refactoring, Test case creation, Documentation and design acceleration ... Lead by example in coding standards, testing practices, CI/CD, and DevOps automation. • ...

Code Campus

Lead Instructor - Ventura

Ventura, CA · On-site

$25/hr

... coding experience required) About codeCampus codeCampus is California's largest provider of in ... As a Lead Instructor, you will: * Work with site staff at our partner schools in the area * Lead ...

Code Campus

Lead Instructor - Lawndale, CA

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$25/hr

... coding experience required) About codeCampus codeCampus is California's largest provider of in ... As a Lead Instructor, you will: * Work with site staff at our partner schools in the area * Lead ...

Code Campus

Lead Instructor- El Cerrito

El Cerrito, CA · On-site

$28/hr

... coding experience required) About codeCampus codeCampus is California's largest provider of in ... As a Lead Instructor, you will: * Work with site staff at our partner schools in the area * Lead ...

Green Dot Corporation

Lead Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$139K - $199K/yr

You will lead engineering efforts in a dynamic, AI-enhanced development lifecycle (AIDLC ... Leverage code assistants and go through large code bases, identify opportunities and make changes.

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All JobsLead Coder JobsLead Coder Jobs in California

Lead Coder information

See California salary details

$10

$23

$40

How much do lead coder jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for lead coder in California is $23.01, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.55 and $26.35 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the main responsibilities of a lead coder in managing software development projects?

As a Lead Coder, you'll oversee the technical aspects of software projects, including designing system architecture, reviewing code, and ensuring coding standards are met. You will coordinate with other developers, assign tasks, and provide mentorship to junior team members. Regular collaboration with project managers and stakeholders is also essential to align technical solutions with business goals and timelines. This role requires balancing hands-on coding with leadership and communication responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lead coder, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Coder, you need advanced programming expertise, a deep understanding of software development lifecycles, and often a degree in computer science or a related field. Experience with code versioning tools like Git, familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, and certifications such as AWS Certified Developer or Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer are highly valuable. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills help a Lead Coder effectively guide teams and manage complex projects. These competencies ensure high-quality code delivery, efficient team collaboration, and the successful execution of software projects.

What is a lead coder?

Lead Coders are experienced software developers who oversee and guide a team of programmers on a project. They are responsible for setting coding standards, reviewing code, and ensuring that the team follows best practices throughout the development process. In addition to writing code themselves, Lead Coders mentor junior developers, coordinate tasks, and act as a bridge between technical and non-technical stakeholders. Their leadership helps ensure that projects are completed efficiently, on time, and to a high standard of quality.

What is the difference between Lead Coder vs Software Developer?

AspectLead CoderSoftware Developer
CredentialsTypically requires coding certifications and experience in specific languagesRequires a degree in computer science or related field, with or without certifications
Work EnvironmentLeads coding teams, reviews code, and sets coding standardsFocuses on writing, testing, and maintaining software code
Industry UsageCommon in tech companies, software firms, and development teamsWidely used across all software development sectors
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for leadership roles in coding teamsCompared for general software development roles

The main difference is that a Lead Coder oversees coding projects and guides team members, while a Software Developer primarily focuses on writing and maintaining code. Lead Coders have leadership responsibilities, whereas Software Developers concentrate on technical tasks.

What cities in California are hiring for Lead Coder jobs? Cities in California with the most Lead Coder job openings:
Lead Coder jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Coder job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,866 per year, or $23 per hour.

Lead Software Engineer

Cosm

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$180K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

Cosm is a global technology company that brings experiences to life in immersive environments. We help our partners create spaces and content that blur the lines of real and virtual across three primary markets: Sports and Entertainment, Science and Education, and Parks and Attractions. Cosm was born from the fusion of some of the greatest innovators in the history of technology. Evans & Sutherland, Spitz, Inc., and Cosm Immersive combined forces to power the immersive experiences of the future as Cosm. Innovation is in our DNA.
IMPORTANT NOTICE FROM THE COSM HUMAN RESOURCES & RECRUITING TEAM REGARDING A RECRUITING SCAM: Your security and trust matter to us. Please note that Cosm Recruiters will ALWAYS communicate with you from an official "@Cosm.com" email address or through authorized platforms such as LinkedIn. We will NEVER request payments, banking details, or personal financial information during the recruitment process. If you receive a suspicious communication or job offer claiming to be from Cosm, please do not respond or share personal information. For official Cosm opportunities, always visit www.cosm.com/careers.
Summary:
We are looking for a talented Software Engineer to implement solutions to enhance the video and media capabilities of our CX Engine application and its integration with Unreal Engine. The ideal candidate has significant hands-on experience developing with Unreal Engine, with either a video technology or graphics programming background to complement it. You are solutions oriented, unafraid to get your hands dirty, and fluent in C++ and object-oriented concepts. We expect our engineers to be versatile, display leadership qualities, and enthusiastic when taking on new problems across the full-stack as we continue to push our technology forward.
Responsibilities:
  • Provide mentoring to less senior members of the development team.
  • Set forth quality code guidelines and standards, lead code reviews, and ensure solutions are aligned to pre-defined architectural specifications.
  • Contribute to high-level strategic decisions with the rest of the Engineering and Executive teams.
  • Stay on top of industry trends and emerging technologies.
  • Proactively search for the best solutions and ideas in the marketplace, taking calculated risks and pushing the limits of what is possible.
  • Work independently and as part of a team, remaining flexible and agile to meet quick turnarounds and hard deadlines.

Experience:
  • BS degree in Computer Science or related field or equivalent practical experience.
  • 6-8+ years of significant experience as a software engineer in a media related field.
  • Significant experience in modern C++ required.
  • Experience with low latency hardware and software encoding/decoding for high quality (8K+) real-time video, or proven experience with real-time rendering, shading, lighting, and visual effects - ideally both.
  • Experience optimizing performance including memory management, CPU and GPU utilization to ensure smooth playback and efficient resource utilization.
  • Development experience with Microsoft Visual Studio and Git.
  • Driven to automate your processes, test continually, and document your work.
  • Must be highly organized, proactive, and collaborative.
  • Inform opinions on application design and library development while being willing to listen to differing opinions.
  • You're not afraid of an open, candid, and respectful work environment.
  • Experience with 3D realtime engines such as Unreal Engine is a plus - modifying engine source code, developing plugins in C++, writing shaders, and integrating with rendering pipelines such as DirectX.
  • Familiarity with nDisplay or other multi-node rendering systems is a plus.
  • Knowledge of broadcast (SMPTE) standards is a plus.
  • Knowledge of GStreamer / FFmpeg is a plus.
  • Knowledge of machine vision camera technology is a plus.
  • Passion for gaming, video live-streaming, sports, or eSports is a plus.

The annualized base salary range for this position in California is $180,000- $200,000. The base salary offered will factor in internal equity and may also vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and relevant experience, among other factors.
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of employment. This requirement is in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local labor laws. Cosm is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

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