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Lead Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Lead Software Engineer You will be part of the Corporate Technology organization responsible for designing, building, and supporting scalable enterprise-level platform services and shared ...

Lead Software Engineer At Wells Fargo, we are looking for talented people who will put our customers at the center of everything we do. We are seeking candidates who embrace diversity, equity and ...

Lead Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · Hybrid

$139K - $199K/yr

Los Angeles, CA Role Overview Green Dot Corporation is seeking a Lead Software Engineer to join the Firewire team, focusing on building scalable, secure, and resilient payment processing systems ...

A Lead Software Engineer at SirenOpt is a technical and cultural leader with deep expertise across multiple systems. You will make strategic decisions about major components, serve as a subject ...

Lead Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$200K - $250K/yr

Role Overview The Lead Software Engineer will design and scale the foundational backend systems that enable Troveo's massive data delivery, compute, and model-training operations. You'll collaborate ...

STR is hiring experienced Lead Software Engineers to join our multidisciplinary cyber/networking team committed to developing cutting-edge technologies that have an immediate and significant impact ...

STR is hiring experienced Lead Software Engineers to join our multidisciplinary cyber/networking team committed to developing cutting-edge technologies that have an immediate and significant impact ...

Lead Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$180K - $260K/yr

About the Role We are looking for a Lead Software Engineer to drive the architecture, development, and delivery of critical platform and infrastructure systems at Clockwork. In this role, you will ...

About the Role We are looking for a Lead Software Engineer to drive the architecture, development, and delivery of critical platform and infrastructure systems at Clockwork. In this role, you will ...

STR is hiring experienced Lead Software Engineers to join our multidisciplinary cyber/networking team committed to developing cutting-edge technologies that have an immediate and significant impact ...

STR is hiring experienced Lead Software Engineers to join our multidisciplinary cyber/networking team committed to developing cutting-edge technologies that have an immediate and significant impact ...

About the Role We are looking for a Lead Software Engineer to drive the architecture, development, and delivery of critical platform and infrastructure systems at Clockwork. In this role, you will ...

Lead Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$157K - $224K/yr

STR is hiring experienced Lead Software Engineers to join our multidisciplinary cyber/networking team committed to developing cutting-edge technologies that have an immediate and significant impact ...

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Lead Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$81.9K

$144K

$195.4K

How much do lead software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead software engineer in California is $143,980.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $119,400.00 and $166,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior software engineers, especially those in high-demand fields like machine learning, cloud computing, or cybersecurity, can earn $300,000 or more annually, often with bonuses and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills, and working at large tech companies or startups with significant funding.

What are Lead Software Engineers?

Lead Software Engineers are senior-level professionals responsible for overseeing software development teams and guiding the technical direction of projects. They combine strong programming skills with leadership abilities, ensuring that software solutions are designed, developed, and maintained according to best practices and business requirements. Lead Software Engineers mentor junior team members, coordinate tasks, and often collaborate with other departments to deliver high-quality products on time. Their role is crucial in bridging the gap between technical teams and management, ensuring both technical excellence and alignment with organizational goals.

What is a lead software engineer?

A lead software engineer is a senior technical role responsible for guiding the development team, designing software solutions, and ensuring project quality. They often coordinate tasks, review code, and may mentor junior engineers, requiring strong programming skills and leadership abilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Software Engineer, you need advanced programming expertise, software architecture knowledge, and a degree in computer science or a related field, often supplemented by experience in leading development teams. Familiarity with version control systems (like Git), cloud platforms (such as AWS or Azure), and methodologies like Agile or Scrum is typically expected. Exceptional communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities are crucial soft skills for mentoring developers and managing projects. These skills ensure efficient project delivery, high-quality code, and effective team collaboration in complex technical environments.

Can I make 200k a year as a software engineer?

Lead software engineers in high-demand industries or senior roles at large companies can earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with specialized skills in areas like cloud computing, AI, or cybersecurity. Compensation varies based on experience, location, company size, and technical expertise, with some earning bonuses and stock options that increase total compensation.

How does a Lead Software Engineer typically balance hands-on coding with leadership and mentoring responsibilities?

As a Lead Software Engineer, you'll find that your role involves a dynamic mix of technical work and team leadership. While you'll still contribute directly to codebases—often tackling complex or critical components—you'll also spend significant time guiding junior engineers, conducting code reviews, and facilitating technical discussions. Balancing these responsibilities requires strong time management and communication skills, as well as the ability to delegate effectively. The role offers the opportunity to shape technical direction while fostering team growth and collaboration.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior software engineers, especially those in high-demand fields like machine learning, cloud computing, or cybersecurity, can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills, and working at large tech companies or startups with significant funding.
What are the most commonly searched types of Lead Software Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Lead Software Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Lead Software Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Lead Software Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Lead Software Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $143,980 per year, or $69.2 per hour.
Lead Software Engineer

$135K - $165K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Williams-Sonoma rating

6.5

Company rating: 6.5 out of 10

Based on 90 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Lead Software Engineer

You will be part of the Corporate Technology organization responsible for designing, building, and supporting scalable enterprise-level platform services and shared infrastructure that power the technology ecosystem across the organization.

The Lead Software Engineer will be responsible for leading the design, development, and delivery of enterprise-grade, scalable platform services and APIs. This role requires strong technical leadership, hands-on development expertise, and close collaboration with cross-functional technology teams to build and maintain foundational platform capabilities.

Responsibilities
  • Leads a team of engineers in designing and delivering scalable microservices and platform solutions from ideation to release
  • Partners with Product Managers to translate business requirements into clear technical and functional specifications
  • Partners with other lead engineers and architects in crafting technical designs, enterprise integration patterns, and reusable platform APIs
  • Participates in all planning, stand-up, and retrospective meetings in an Agile environment using Jira for sprint tracking and estimation
  • Writes high-quality, hands-on code using Java, Spring Boot, RESTful web services, JPA, and related technologies consistent with secure coding standards
  • Writes automated tests and enforces unit testing practices to ensure new features meet enterprise-grade quality, performance, and reliability standards
  • Reviews the work of other engineers in a collegial fashion and enforces code quality standards using tools such as Sonar
  • Designs and implements data solutions including Oracle, Cassandra, Kafka, OpenSearch, and cloud object storage integrations
  • Leads deployments on containerized platforms including Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, and Infrastructure as Code practices
  • Monitors platform health using AppDynamics, ELK, and Grafana, and leads root cause analysis for production incidents
  • Participates in and potentially leads Communities-of-Practice guilds
  • Participates in continuous education programs and champions a culture of continuous learning and improvement
Criteria
  • Bachelor's degree in relevant field of work or equivalent work experience
  • Typically requires minimum of 8 years of related experience
  • 6+ years of experience as a Software Engineer
  • 4-6 years of large-scale application development experience
  • Ability to write code that is of high quality and can be a champion of coding standards
  • Influence the technical direction of the engineering team
  • Expert understanding of Java, Spring Boot, SQL/NOSQL Database and web technologies
  • Enthusiasm for constant improvement as a Software Engineer
  • Ability to communicate clearly and motivate team members
  • Passionate about Ecommerce and retail a plus
  • This role requires being onsite in the San Jose, CA office Monday through Thursday

Our Culture & Values

We believe that taking care of our people is vital to our success and we strive to offer equitable and transparent practices for all. We prioritize connection, growth, and wellbeing.

People First

Putting People First means investing in overall well-being and opportunities to grow and advance within the organization. Depending on the position and location, here are a few highlights of what benefits may be available:

Benefits

  • A generous discount on all WSI brands
  • A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities
  • Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer
  • Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits
  • Tax-free commuter benefits
  • A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health

Continued Learning

  • In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University
  • Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities
  • Resources for self-development
  • Advisor (Mentor) program
  • Career development workshops, learning programs, and speaker series

WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration).

This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.

The expected starting pay range for this position is $135,000 - $165,000. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.

About Us

Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the premier specialty retailer of high-quality products for the kitchen and home in the United States. Our family of brands are Williams Sonoma, Williams Sonoma Home, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, Rejuvenation, West Elm, Mark & Graham, Outward, and GreenRow. These brands are among the best known and most respected in the industry. We offer beautifully-designed, stylish and functional products for every area of the home, including the kitchen, living room, bedroom, home office, closet, laundry room and even outdoor spaces. We've seen some big changes since our first brick-and-mortar store opened more than half of a century ago. What hasn't changed is our passion for high-quality products, functional design, outstanding customer service, and enhancing the lives of our customers and the communities where we operate. Today, we're a multi-brand, multi-channel, global enterprise supported by state-of-the-art technology and some of the most talented teams in retailing - and we're always looking for new energy and ideas.

Job Info
  • Job Identification 18802
  • Locations 1980 Zanker Rd, San Jose, CA, 95112, US
  • Job Schedule Full time
  • Job Shift Day

What Williams-Sonoma employees say

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