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Lead Programmer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Howmet Aerospace

CNC Lead Programmer

Brea, CA

$35 - $45/hr

Responsibilities CNC Lead / Programmer Position Summary The CNC Lead / Programmer is responsible for supporting daily operations within a CNC manufacturing cell, providing hands-on programming, setup ...

Howmet Aerospace

CNC Lead Programmer

Brea, CA · On-site

$35 - $45/hr

CNC Lead / Programmer Position Summary The CNC Lead / Programmer is responsible for supporting daily operations within a CNC manufacturing cell, providing hands-on programming, setup, troubleshooting ...

Howmet Aerospace

CNC Lead Programmer

Brea, CA · On-site

$35 - $45/hr

CNC Lead / Programmer Position Summary The CNC Lead / Programmer is responsible for supporting daily operations within a CNC manufacturing cell, providing hands-on programming, setup, troubleshooting ...

Howmet Aerospace

CNC Lead Programmer

Brea, CA · On-site

$35 - $45/hr

Responsibilities CNC Lead / Programmer Position Summary The CNC Lead / Programmer is responsible for supporting daily operations within a CNC manufacturing cell, providing hands-on programming, setup ...

Howmet

CNC Lead Programmer

Brea, CA · On-site

$35 - $45/hr

... Lead / Programmer Position Summary The CNC Lead / Programmer is responsible for supporting daily operations within a CNC manufacturing cell, providing hands-on programming, setup, troubleshooting ...

Lead

Developer Experience Lead

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$158.88 - $220/hr

Today, Lead is one of the only API-first, developer-focused partner banks with the financial, regulatory, and legal expertise required to help fintechs succeed. We operate offices in San Francisco ...

Lead

Developer Experience Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$158.88 - $220/hr

Today, Lead is one of the only API-first, developer-focused partner banks with the financial, regulatory, and legal expertise required to help fintechs succeed. We operate offices in San Francisco ...

Gulfstream Strategic Placements

Lead Engineer

Daly City, CA · On-site

$118K - $156K/yr

Lead Engineer Daly City, CA We are searching for a Lead Engineer in the California area. Someone who has Plumbing design skills and is a leader by nature. Responsibilities for Lead Engineer: Ensure ...

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All JobsLead Programmer JobsLead Programmer Jobs in California

Lead Programmer information

See California salary details

$9

$54

$82

How much do lead programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for lead programmer in California is $54.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42.69 and $67.84 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a lead programmer?

Lead Programmers, also known as Lead Developers, are senior software engineers responsible for guiding a team of programmers through the development lifecycle of a software project. They make crucial technical decisions, oversee code quality, and ensure that the team meets project requirements and deadlines. In addition to hands-on coding, Lead Programmers often coordinate with project managers and other departments, mentor junior developers, and help resolve technical challenges that arise during development.

How does a lead programmer typically balance hands-on coding with team leadership responsibilities?

As a Lead Programmer, you'll often split your time between writing code and overseeing the development process for your team. While you may still handle complex coding tasks or set technical standards, a significant part of your role involves mentoring team members, conducting code reviews, and coordinating with other departments like QA and product management. Effective Lead Programmers are skilled at delegating tasks, ensuring code quality, and facilitating clear communication to keep projects on track. Striking the right balance between technical contribution and leadership is key to both your team's success and your own career growth.

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

To thrive as a Lead Programmer, you need expertise in software development, advanced programming languages, and project management, often supported by a computer science degree or relevant certifications. Familiarity with version control systems (like Git), integrated development environments (IDEs), and agile methodologies is typically required. Leadership, problem-solving ability, and strong communication are essential soft skills to guide teams and coordinate stakeholders. These skills ensure efficient project delivery, high-quality code, and productive team collaboration in technical environments.

What is the difference between Lead Programmer vs Software Developer?

AspectLead ProgrammerSoftware Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field; experience in coding and project leadershipBachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field; strong coding skills
Work EnvironmentTeam leadership, project planning, code reviewIndividual coding, feature development
Employer & Industry UsageSoftware companies, tech firms, game developmentWide range of industries including tech, finance, healthcare
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles in programming teamsFocus on coding and development tasks

The main difference between a Lead Programmer and a Software Developer lies in their responsibilities. Lead Programmers oversee project direction, coordinate teams, and review code, while Software Developers primarily focus on writing code and developing features. Both roles require strong programming skills and relevant education, but Lead Programmers have additional leadership duties within the development process.

What does the lead programmer do?

A lead programmer oversees the development team, designs software architecture, writes and reviews code, and ensures project deadlines are met. They often coordinate with project managers and use programming languages like C++, Java, or Python, while also mentoring junior developers.

What are popular job titles related to Lead Programmer jobs in CA?

For Lead Programmer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Lead Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Programmer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,826 per year, or $54.2 per hour.

Sr.Lead Programmer

West Advanced Technologies (WATI)

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

Sr. Lead Programmer
Los Angeles, CA
6+ months
Roles & Responsibilities:
Programming & Technical
• Research, design and implement technical specifications for projects based on user requirements as indicated in scope of work, wireframes and/or sitemap documents.
• Ability to create procedures from specifications.
• Ensure projects are built to meet performance, security, and functional requirements.
• Architecting, designing, building, and implementing scalable Microsoft Azure solutions within a hybrid cloud environment.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of systems, applications, websites, and other custom programming tasks as applicable.
• Ability to perform backend/database programming.
• Preparing test data and test programs for error checking.
• Assist with testing, debugging, documentation and overall quality assurance of projects.
• Networking fundamentals
• Stay up-to-date on industry standards and incorporate them appropriately.
Leadership & Management
• Manage and mentor a team of programmers.
• Review requests (tasks) and provide time estimates.
• Attend management and end-user meetings.
• Other duties as assigned by Technology Project Manager.
Required Skills:
• Azure DevOps Engineer (CI/CD)
• Agile Software Development
• Code versioning/Version control using GIT
• Solution architect specializing in cloud-based application modernization; data services; and infrastructure technologies.
• Data scientist/engineer skills to design data models that address unique business issues, ensure efficient data accessibility, and secure data resources.
• Microservices/Serverless development.
• Extensive programming skills using C#, JavaScript, PowerShell, Python.
• Website development using ASP.Net, HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript.
• Database programming using SQL (SQL Server/Oracle).
• Familiarity with various libraries (Bootstrap, jQuery, etc.) and Frameworks (Angular, Node.JS, etc.)
Thanks & Regards
Rajeev
West Advanced Technologies, Inc
E: rajeev.g@wati.com
C:9162095915 | T: 5072292946

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