ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Manager Of Software Development Jobs in California

E-Space

Head of Software Engineering

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$279K/yr

Hire, mentor, and develop engineering managers and senior/staff engineers into future technical ... Define career development frameworks, leveling guidelines, and performance standards for the ...

Axos Bank

Software Development Manager

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$120K - $140K/yr

Axos Bank is looking for an experienced, product-oriented Software Development Manager to join our ... Lead one or more development teams of near-shore or local developers * Design and prototype ...

Ingrammicro

Principals, Software Development

Irvine, CA · On-site

$184K - $226K/yr

With the ability to reach nearly 90% of the global population, we play a vital role in the ... Principals, Software Development Job Location: Irvine, CA Job Type: Full Time Rate of Pay: $184,558 ...

Axos Bank

AVP, Software Development Manager

San Diego, CA · On-site

$110K - $140K/yr

About This Job Axos Bank has an exciting leadership opportunity, seeking an AVP of Software Development! As our Software Development Manager, you will be responsible for designing and implementing ...

Ingram Micro

Principals, Software Development

Irvine, CA · On-site

$184K - $226K/yr

With the ability to reach nearly 90% of the global population, we play a vital role in the ... Principals, Software Development Job Location: Irvine, CA Job Type: Full Time Rate of Pay: $184,558 ...

E-Space

Head of Software Engineering

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$279K/yr

Hire, mentor, and develop engineering managers and senior/staff engineers into future technical ... Define career development frameworks, leveling guidelines, and performance standards for the ...

Esri

Software Development Engineer

Redlands, CA

Participate in the development of ArcGIS software products by writing clean, efficient, and ... Collaborate with engineers, designers, and product managers to identify requirements for software ...

Picogrid

Head of Software

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$220K - $270K/yr

... Managers to produce plans and strategy to handle the product and customer development goals. * Act ... As the founding leader of the Software Engineering Department, you will hire, mentor, and build a ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsOf Software Development JobsManager Of Software Development JobsManager Of Software Development Jobs in California

Manager Of Software Development information

See California salary details

$78.5K

$140.2K

$176.2K

How much do manager of software development jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for manager of software development in California is $140,241.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $121,900.00 and $160,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Manager of Software Development do?

A Manager of Software Development oversees teams of software engineers and developers, guiding them through the software development lifecycle. They are responsible for project planning, setting goals, ensuring deadlines are met, and maintaining high-quality standards. Additionally, they facilitate communication between team members and other departments, help resolve technical challenges, and support the professional growth of their team. Their role blends technical expertise with leadership and project management skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Manager of Software Development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Manager of Software Development, you need strong leadership abilities, a solid background in software engineering, and experience with project management, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with development tools like Git, Jira, agile methodologies, and sometimes certifications such as PMP or Scrum Master are typically required. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and team-building skills help you motivate teams and foster a collaborative environment. These skills are essential for delivering high-quality software products on time while supporting the growth and efficiency of your development team.

What are some common challenges faced by a Manager of Software Development, and how can they be addressed?

A Manager of Software Development often navigates challenges such as balancing project deadlines with code quality, managing cross-functional team dynamics, and adapting to rapidly changing technologies. Addressing these requires clear communication, fostering a collaborative team culture, and implementing agile methodologies to stay responsive to change. Regular one-on-one meetings, continuous learning opportunities, and transparent goal-setting also help maintain team engagement and productivity. By proactively addressing these challenges, managers can drive successful project outcomes and support their team's professional growth.

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

AspectManager Of Software DevelopmentSoftware Development Manager
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in CS or related field; often certifications in project managementBachelor's degree in CS or related field; certifications like PMP are common
Work EnvironmentLeads multiple development teams, oversees project delivery, collaborates with stakeholdersManages software development teams, focuses on project execution and team coordination
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in tech companies, software firms, and IT departmentsCommon in software companies, tech startups, and enterprise IT divisions

The main difference is that a Manager Of Software Development typically oversees multiple teams and strategic initiatives, while a Software Development Manager focuses more on managing specific development teams and project execution. Both roles require similar credentials and are used across similar industries, but their scope and focus differ slightly.

What are the most commonly searched types of Of Software Development jobs in California? The most popular types of Of Software Development jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Manager Of Software Development jobs? Cities in California with the most Manager Of Software Development job openings:
Manager Of Software Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Manager Of Software Development job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $140,241 per year, or $67.4 per hour.

Head of Software Engineering

E-Space

Saratoga, CA • On-site

$279K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

Ready to make connectivity from space universally accessible, secure, and actionable? Then you've come to the right place!
At E-Space, we're focused on bridging Earth and space with the world's most sustainable low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network. We're a team of bold thinkers, ambitious leaders and dynamic doers-and we're disrupting NewSpace by fundamentally changing the design of legacy LEO space systems to deliver entirely new satellite capabilities at a fraction of the cost.
We're intentional, we're unapologetically curious and we're 100% committed-to saving space, to protecting our planet and to turning connectivity into actionable intelligence.
As Director or VP of Software Engineering, you will own the full software engineering organization for our space vehicle programs - from architecture and embedded systems to communications software and mission-critical delivery.
This is a rare opportunity to build and lead a world-class engineering team at the forefront of commercial and government space. You will set technical vision, drive execution, and be a key voice in company strategy - partnering directly with the CEO, CTO, and program leadership to shape the next generation of space vehicles.
The ideal candidate brings deep hands-on roots in embedded systems, Board Support Package (BSP) development, and communications software - combined with the leadership presence and organizational maturity to scale a high-performing engineering team.
What you will be doing:

Technical Leadership

  • Define and drive the software engineering vision, architecture, and roadmap across all space vehicle programs
  • Provide hands-on technical leadership in embedded systems, BSP development (bootloaders, device drivers, RTOS bring-up), and communications software
  • Oversee software design and implementation for spacecraft comms subsystems including SpaceWire, MIL-STD-1553, CCSDS, and RF data link protocols
  • Own the software architecture for Command & Data Handling (C&DH) systems and mission-critical flight software
  • Champion software quality, reliability, and compliance with applicable standards (DO-178B/C, NASA-STD-8739.8, or equivalent)
  • Drive hardware/software co-design and integration with electrical, systems, and mechanical engineering teams

People & Organizational Leadership

  • Build, grow, and retain a high-performing software engineering organization across multiple disciplines and experience levels
  • Hire, mentor, and develop engineering managers and senior/staff engineers into future technical leaders
  • Foster a culture of engineering excellence, psychological safety, and continuous improvement
  • Define career development frameworks, leveling guidelines, and performance standards for the software engineering team
  • Partner cross-functionally with Program Management, Systems Engineering, and Operations to deliver on commitments

Strategy & Execution

  • Own software program execution - schedules, milestones, risk identification, and mitigation across all active programs
  • Represent software engineering in customer briefings, program reviews, and executive leadership meetings
  • Contribute to business development and proposal efforts - defining software technical approaches and resource estimates for new pursuits
  • Drive make/buy decisions, toolchain investments, and software development process improvements at scale
  • Build and maintain technology partnerships with key vendors, tool suppliers, and industry partners
What you bring to this role:
  • 12+ years of software engineering experience, with 5+ years in engineering leadership (managing managers or leading organizations of 15+ engineers)
  • Deep technical foundation in embedded systems and BSP development - bootloaders, device drivers, kernel bring-up, embedded Linux and/or RTOS (VxWorks, RTEMS, FreeRTOS)
  • Proven experience leading software development for space, defense, or other safety-critical platforms
  • Strong background in communications software - protocol stacks, data link layers, or spacecraft comms subsystems
  • Demonstrated ability to build and scale engineering teams in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment
  • Track record of delivering complex, multi-million-dollar software programs on time and on budget
  • Excellent executive communication skills - able to present to customers, boards, and government stakeholders
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related fiel
Extra bonus points for the following:
  • Active U.S. Security Clearance (Secret or above)
  • Experience with spacecraft C&DH (Command & Data Handling) and flight software development
  • Knowledge of CCSDS protocols and space data system standards
  • Familiarity with DO-178B/C software certification and safety-critical verification frameworks
  • Experience supporting DoD, NASA, or other U.S. Government space programs
  • Exposure to radiation-tolerant or radiation-hardened computing environments
  • Experience leading software capture strategy for large government proposals ($50M+)
  • Master's degree or PhD in a relevant engineering or computer science discipline
$0 - $0 a year
The estimated range is meant to reflect an anticipated salary range for the position in question, which is based on market data and other factors, all of which are subject to change. Individual pay is based on location, skills and expertise, depth of relevant experience, and other relevant factors. For questions about this, please speak to the recruiter if you decide to apply for the role and are selected for an interview.
This is a full time, exempt position, based out of our Saratoga office.  The target base pay for this position is $100,000 - $185,000 annually.  The total compensation packaged will be determined by various factors such as your relevant job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. 
 
We are redefining how satellites are designed, manufactured and used-so we're looking for candidates with passion, deep knowledge and direct experience on LEO satellite component development, design and in-orbit activities. If that's your experience - then we'll be immediately wow-ed.
 
E-Space is not currently able to provide employment sponsorship for candidates who do not hold work authorization for the location of this role.  
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
apply for this job

Apply