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Lead Programmer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Lead Developer

San Diego, CA · Remote

$62.75 - $82/hr

Lead Developer responsibilities include leading a team of junior developers, refining business specifications, architecting software, executing on deadlines with project managers and stakeholders ...

Lead Engineer

Fontana, CA · On-site

$105K - $144K/yr

The Lead Engineer will guide engineering design decisions, coordinate validation and test activities, and partner with operations, quality, and manufacturing teams to ensure a seamless transition ...

Lead Engineer

Fontana, CA

$105K - $144K/yr

The Lead Engineer will guide engineering design decisions, coordinate validation and test activities, and partner with operations, quality, and manufacturing teams to ensure a seamless transition ...

Lead Engineer

Fontana, CA · On-site

$105K - $144K/yr

The Lead Engineer will guide engineering design decisions, coordinate validation and test activities, and partner with operations, quality, and manufacturing teams to ensure a seamless transition ...

Lead Engineer

Fontana, CA · On-site

$105K - $144K/yr

The Lead Engineer will guide engineering design decisions, coordinate validation and test activities, and partner with operations, quality, and manufacturing teams to ensure a seamless transition ...

Lead Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

Lead Engineer Location-Type: Onsite LA Start Date Is: ASAP Duration: (contract, perm, etc) FTE Perm Compensation Range: $130K-150K - 12% performance based Benefits: Eligible for Health, Dental ...

May serve as a lead or support programmer If the lead programmer on studies, works with clinical data management staff and biostatisticians to coordinate and schedule data transfers and the delivery ...

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Lead Programmer information

See California salary details

$9

$54

$82

How much do lead programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 15, 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 L1, L2, L3, and L4 developer?

In a development context, L1, L2, L3, and L4 typically refer to different levels of software engineers or developers, with L1 being entry-level and L4 being senior or lead roles. These levels often indicate experience, responsibility, and skill set, with L2 and L3 representing mid-level and advanced developers, respectively. Job responsibilities, expectations, and compensation generally increase with each level, and companies may use these designations to structure career progression and team hierarchy.

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.

Will AI replace coders by 2040?

As a lead programmer, it is unlikely that AI will fully replace human coders by 2040, but automation and AI tools are expected to augment programming tasks, increasing efficiency and changing skill requirements. Coders will need to adapt by developing expertise in AI integration, machine learning, and advanced problem-solving. Human oversight remains essential for complex, creative, and ethical aspects of software development.

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 role of a lead programmer?

A lead programmer is responsible for overseeing the development team, designing software architecture, and ensuring coding standards are met. They coordinate project tasks, review code, and collaborate with other departments to deliver functional software solutions efficiently.

What is the highest paying job in programming?

The highest paying programming roles are often specialized positions such as software architects, machine learning engineers, and technical leads, especially in industries like finance, technology, and healthcare. These roles typically require advanced skills, certifications, and experience, and can offer salaries exceeding $150,000 annually depending on location and company size.

What are Lead Programmers?

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.

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 are popular job titles related to Lead Programmer jobs in CA? For Lead Programmer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Lead Programmer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% As Needed, and 67% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,826 per year, or $54.2 per hour.

88-50100108 Senior Clinical Programmer

F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG

Pleasanton, CA • On-site

$139K - $149K/yr

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

At Roche you can show up as yourself, embraced for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections, where you are valued, accepted and respected for who you are, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. This is how we aim to prevent, stop and cure diseases and ensure everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Join Roche, where every voice matters.
The Position
Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. seeks a Senior Clinical Programmer at its Pleasanton, California location.
Duties: Develop software solutions for statistical modeling and analysis of clinical data for both registration and non-registrational clinical studies for medical diagnostics and serve as lead programmer. Analyze user requirements and implement, update, and enhance software solutions to deliver accurate and complete data/reports to support regulatory submissions in the area. Apply principles and techniques of Information technology in conjunction with application quantitative analysis to contribute to developing, validating, and documenting software applications and programs to meet clinical study needs. Develop and modify SAS programs to analyze and evaluate clinical data along with assessing data accuracy and consistency. Develop all extraction programs to create raw datasets related to the study. Create data specifications to generate source and analysis datasets as defined in study requirements. Build source and analysis datasets from raw data to support clinical trial data analysis. Review and provide input for CRFs (case report form), edit check specifications, SAP (statistical analysis plan), and TLF (table listings figures) mock-ups. Provide software support to supplemental or exploratory analyses for regulatory agencies or any other ad-hoc requests. Review, maintain, and provide approval for validation plans and associated documentation, ensuring alignment with standard operating procedures and regulatory requirements throughout the study data validation lifecycle. Develop standardized procedures to perform analysis across life cycles and projects. Ensure regulatory requirements, including FDA. Telecommuting allowed up to 5 days a week from anywhere within the US. May supervise 0-3 Statistical Programmers.
Education and experience required: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electronics Engineering, Information Technology, Data Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field and 5 years of post-baccalaureate and progressive experience as a Statistical Programmer, SAS Programmer, Clinical Programmer, or closely related position in the medical diagnostics, medical device, or pharmaceutical industry
Alternative education and experience required: Master's degree in Computer Science, Electronics Engineering, Information Technology, Data Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field, and 3 years of professional experience as a Statistical Programmer, SAS Programmer, Clinical Programmer, or closely related position in the medical diagnostics/device or pharmaceutical domains.
Special Requirements: Full term of experience (5 years with a qualifying Bachelor's and 3 years with a qualifying Master's) must include:
1. Statistical software design, including development and validation of statistical programming tools and analysis datasets related to clinical trials.
2. Advanced programming using Base SAS, SAS Macro, SAS/Stat, and SAS SQL for generating clinical study outputs including Tables, Listings, and Figures (TLFs), as well as automation of clinical reporting processes./
3. Oracle, SQL Server, and SAS/ACCESS interfaces, including writing of complex queries, data extraction and transformation, and integrating databases with SAS for clinical programming tasks
Telecommuting allowed up to 5 days a week from anywhere within the US. May supervise 0-3 Statistical Programmers.
Worksite: 4300 Hacienda Drive, Pleasanton, CA 94588
The expected annual salary range for this position based on the primary location for this position of Pleasanton, California is $139,901 to $149,600 per year. Actual pay within the range will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance. This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.
Benefits (https://roche.ehr.com/default.ashx?CLASSNAME=splash)
Who we are
A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100'000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life-changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact.
Let's build a healthier future, together.
Roche is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.
If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants.