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Principal Development Manager Jobs in California

Kinder's

Culinary Development Manager

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

$135K - $155K/yr

The Culinary Development Manager will be a critical leader in contributing to our culinary ... Strong understanding of food safety principals and regulatory basics * ServSafe certification ...

Avnet, Inc.

Account Development Manager

San Jose, CA · On-site

$140K - $150K/yr

Principal Responsibilities: * Serves as the primary point of contact for the customer interface to ... Closely manages profitability by minimizing profit leaks and maximizing gross profit. * Other ...

Avnet, Inc.

Account Development Manager

San Jose, CA · On-site

$140K - $150K/yr

Principal Responsibilities: * Serves as the primary point of contact for the customer interface to ... Closely manages profitability by minimizing profit leaks and maximizing gross profit. * Other ...

Avnet, Inc.

Account Development Manager

San Jose, CA

$140K - $150K/yr

Principal Responsibilities: * Serves as the primary point of contact for the customer interface to ... Closely manages profitability by minimizing profit leaks and maximizing gross profit. * Other ...

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All JobsPrincipal Development JobsPrincipal Development Manager JobsPrincipal Development Manager Jobs in California

Principal Development Manager information

What is a principal development manager?

A Principal Development Manager is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing multiple development teams, guiding project strategy, and ensuring the successful delivery of software products or technology solutions. They collaborate closely with stakeholders, set technical direction, mentor engineering managers, and manage resources to meet business goals. This role often requires extensive experience in software engineering, project management, and team leadership, as well as strong communication and organizational skills.

How does a principal development manager balance strategic leadership with hands-on technical involvement in projects?

A Principal Development Manager often operates at the intersection of strategy and execution. While they are responsible for setting technical direction and managing high-level planning, they also remain closely involved with teams to troubleshoot complex issues, mentor senior engineers, and ensure quality standards. Balancing these aspects requires effective delegation, clear communication, and occasionally stepping into technical discussions to guide architectural decisions. This blend of leadership and technical oversight helps drive project success and fosters the professional growth of the team.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal development manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Development Manager, you need deep experience in software architecture, project management, and team leadership, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with agile methodologies, cloud platforms, and development tools like Git, Jira, and CI/CD systems is typically required. Outstanding communication, strategic thinking, and mentoring abilities set exceptional leaders apart in this role. These skills are vital for driving technical excellence, aligning teams, and delivering successful products in complex, fast-paced environments.

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

AspectPrincipal Development ManagerSoftware Development Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple projects, strategic planning, high-level leadershipManages software teams, project execution, team coordination
Required CredentialsTypically requires extensive experience, advanced degrees, leadership skillsUsually requires a bachelor's or master's in CS or related field, leadership experience
Work EnvironmentStrategic, cross-team collaboration, executive interactionsTeam management, project delivery, technical oversight
Industry UsageCommon in large tech companies, R&D divisionsWidely used across tech firms, startups, and software companies

The Principal Development Manager role focuses on strategic leadership and overseeing multiple projects at a high level, often in larger organizations. In contrast, a Software Development Manager concentrates on managing software teams and project execution. Both roles require leadership skills and technical knowledge, but the Principal Development Manager typically operates at a higher strategic level.

What cities in California are hiring for Principal Development Manager jobs?

Cities in California with the most Principal Development Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Principal Development Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution.

Learning and Development Manager

Long Beach, CA • On-site

Common Arts
See more jobs at Common Artsexternal

$85K - $100K/yr

Full-time

PTO

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Company Overview:
A collection of distinctive design studios serving the built environment.
RDC-S111 is now named Common Arts. Common Arts integrates a family of specialized design studios including RDC, Studio One Eleven, Dyelot Interiors and PDO. Our family of studios provide targeted expertise across the built environment to address our clients' unique design challenges.
Role Summary
The Learning and Development Manager leads company training and performance efforts, working closely with partners, principals, and other firm leaders. This role plays a key part in shaping how the company grows: helping people build stronger skills, greater capability, and deeper engagement so they can deliver real value to clients and their profession. When employees grow, Common Arts and its brands grow too, strengthening their edge, reputation, and long-term success.
Key Responsibilities
  • Continue open communication with principals and leaders of each work group on the implementation, customization, and optimization of training programs, ensuring forward progress.

  • Work with People Services, Finance, and Talent teams to maintain talent budget.

  • Lead the development and implementation of the annual performance program, using our HRIS.

  • Gather participation and effectiveness statistics to drive decision making in training, talent, and performance areas.

  • Implement and improve training and performance programs that allow for flexibility and scalability across locations.

Career Pathing & Performance Development
  • Partner with supervisors and practice leaders to shepherd individualized soft and tech skill training maps that align staff development with both personal growth and firm capability.

  • Build scalable development frameworks (skills, credentials, leadership behaviors) that raise the overall talent bench and strengthen the firm's competitive position.

  • Facilitate leadership development programs, which may include on-site/online training, 1:1 coaching, and small-group discussions, or other modalities.

  • Determine when to outsource leadership development initiatives versus manage them internally.

  • Coordinate the firm's Leadership Program, including retreats, promotion criteria, and nomination processes, incorporating management's input.

  • Work with Senior Director, People Services to develop annual performance check-in program.

Recruitment & Onboarding
  • Own pipeline-building initiatives, including career fairs, university relationships, and the summer internship program, in partnership with the Talent Acquisition Specialist.

  • Partner with People Services to refine onboarding programs, accelerating new hires' time-to-productivity through training maps.

Training & Knowledge Development
  • Coordinate and schedule professional training programs with Technical Management, BIM, and Materials leaders to advance technical rigor and design excellence.

  • Lead state of California "Employer Training Program" for company credit.

  • Introduce new learning technologies and methods as needed; willingness to learn new AI tools.

  • Publish a monthly newsletter highlighting training programs that support firm objectives, licensure, and career advancement.

  • Audit major project kick-off and close-out meetings to link lessons learned to ongoing training priorities.

  • Promote a culture of excellence, accountability, and recognition that reflects Common Arts' brand as an employer of choice and industry leader.

  • Support workforce licensure and certification programs, including tracking professional licenses, assisting employees in obtaining credentials, and aligning licensure progress with career development and firm goals.

Qualifications
  • 6+ years of progressive leadership in training, learning & development, organizational development, or HR preferably within architecture, engineering, or professional services environments.

  • Proven ability to design and implement programs that measurably improve organizational performance.

  • Strong analytical and communication skills; familiarity in ADP, and other HRIS/analytics tools.

  • Experienced in aligning development strategies with corporate growth goals and operational priorities.

  • Demonstrated commitment to developing people as a means of strengthening firm capability and industry reputation.

  • Ability to work both individually and with a team.

  • Well organized and has an ability to maintain and advance multiple talent programs simultaneously.

  • Based in our Long Beach office, with willingness to travel to remote locations as needed; open to a hybrid schedule.

The base salary is estimated between $85,000 - $100,000 plus bonuses and benefits and is contingent on location & relevant experience.
Common Arts is an equal opportunity employer.
Locations Long Beach Office Remote status Hybrid Yearly salary $85,000 - $100,000

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