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Product Development Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Mat3ra

Product Development Lead

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site +1

$120K - $180K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Work will focus on (1) identifying strategic pathways for product development, (2) preparing ways ... Ability to influence multiple stakeholders without direct authority * strong analytical and problem ...

Next City

Development Director

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$157.50 - $192.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Based in El Segundo, CA, we are currently seeking a Development Director who embodies our values ... Evaluation and modification of financial models for retail, residential, and other products

PragerU

Development Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

The Development Director will report directly to the Head of Development while working closely with the CDO, CEO, and other key departments including Marketing, Production, and Administration. This ...

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All JobsProduct Development JobsProduct Development Director JobsProduct Development Director Jobs in California

Product Development Director information

See California salary details

$72K

$161.5K

$241.3K

How much do product development director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for product development director in California is $161,541.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $129,800.00 and $183,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a product development director do?

A Product Development Director oversees the creation and improvement of products from concept to launch. They lead cross-functional teams, manage project timelines and budgets, and ensure that products meet market needs and company goals. This role involves strategic planning, market research, and collaboration with engineering, marketing, and sales departments. Product Development Directors also monitor industry trends and customer feedback to guide future product innovation.

What are the typical cross-functional collaborations for a product development director, and how do they influence project outcomes?

Product Development Directors frequently work with teams across marketing, engineering, design, finance, and supply chain to ensure projects align with business goals and customer needs. These collaborations are crucial for balancing technical feasibility, market demands, budgeting, and timelines. Engaging stakeholders early and maintaining open communication channels helps anticipate challenges and maintain project momentum, ultimately leading to more successful product launches and stronger market positioning.

What is the difference between Product Development Director vs Product Manager?

AspectProduct Development DirectorProduct Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple product teams, sets strategic direction, manages product portfoliosFocuses on specific products, manages product lifecycle, gathers customer requirements
Required CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business, engineering, or related fields; extensive experience in product management or developmentUsually requires a bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or related fields; experience in product management
Work EnvironmentStrategic, leadership-focused, often in senior management settingsOperational, detail-oriented, often in cross-functional teams

The Product Development Director and Product Manager roles differ mainly in scope and strategic focus. The Director oversees multiple products and sets long-term strategies, while the Product Manager handles specific products' day-to-day development and customer needs. Both roles require relevant experience and credentials, but the Director's position is more leadership and strategy-oriented.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a product development director?

To thrive as a Product Development Director, you need expertise in product lifecycle management, strategic planning, market analysis, and typically a bachelor's or master's degree in business, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with project management software, product roadmap tools, and methodologies like Agile or Scrum is frequently required, as well as experience with budgeting and cross-functional team leadership. Exceptional communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills help you inspire teams, align stakeholders, and drive innovation. These competencies are vital for successfully guiding products from concept to market, ensuring they meet customer needs and business goals.

What are the most commonly searched types of Product Development jobs in California?

The most popular types of Product Development jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Product Development Director jobs in California?

For Product Development Director jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Product Development Director jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Product Development Director jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Product Development Director jobs?

Cities in California with the most Product Development Director job openings:

Product Development Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Product Development Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $161,541 per year, or $77.7 per hour.

Product Development Lead

Mat3ra

Walnut Creek, CA • On-site, Remote

$120K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

Overview

We are building the real-world J.A.R.V.I.S. for materials RnD (https://exabyte.io/img/iron-man-creates-material.gif).

Calling out experienced product managers - people with strong technical backgrounds (STEM degree, experience in similar industries) seeking to design and build a comprehensive web-based platform (think AutoDesk, SAP, Adobe Creative Cloud, Azure ML Studio) for digital materials RnD.

Work will focus on (1) identifying strategic pathways for product development, (2) preparing ways to and collecting user feedback, and (3) drafting and implementing the product features. Successful candidates will continue into leadership roles as we grow.

This is a full-time permanent position.


Responsibilities
  • planning and organizing product development work
  • communicating with the platform users to solicit feedback
  • developing marketing materials: case studies, publications, etc.
  • product design and concept development
  • work closely with the engineering team, relay and explain design concepts

Why Join
  • highly creative role in a rapidly growing industry (https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/01...)
  • see the results of your work used directly by the world's leading enterprises
  • realize your ambitions and directly define how materials research is done in the future
  • work with top-tier human capital in research, engineering, and venture capital

Requirements

Specific

  • Bachelor's degree in a technical field or equivalent experience building/shipping technical products.
  • 5 or more years of experience developing/launching products/technologies within one or more of the following: Cloud, SaaS, enterprise, internal tools, or supply chain networks.
  • 2 or more years of experience with Jira, Confluence, or similar
  • Experience driving product vision, go-to-market strategy, and design discussions

Other

  • experience creating strategic product roadmaps, and working with cross-functional teams.
  • strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to effectively collaborate with management and engineering
  • strong time-management and organization skills for coordinating multiple initiatives, priorities, and implementations of new technology and products into very complex projects
  • Ability to influence multiple stakeholders without direct authority
  • strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • ability to learn and apply new concepts rapidly
  • extreme attention to details

Plus

  • prior background in enterprise software, materials science, chemistry, physics or related
  • experience with machine learning

Benefits

Company Benefits Include

  • Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
  • Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
  • Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
  • Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
  • Short Term & Long Term Disability
  • Training & Development
  • Work From Home
  • Free Food & Snacks
  • Wellness Resources
  • Stock Option Plan

Compensation

  • $120,000 - $180,000 salary range
  • 0.25 - 0.75% stock options

Apply