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Product Development Manager Jobs in San Rafael, CA

Research & Development Manager

Walnut Creek, CA ยท On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

Lead Product Development * Support the end-to-end product development process - from concept ... Manage multiple projects concurrently, ensuring milestones, deliverables, and communication are ...

Showing results 41-60

Product Development Manager information

See San Rafael, CA salary details

$47.4K

$141.6K

$161.1K

How much do product development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for product development manager in San Rafael, CA is $141,554.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,600.00 and $159,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges a product development manager might face when balancing stakeholder expectations and project timelines?

A Product Development Manager often navigates the challenge of balancing diverse stakeholder expectations with realistic project timelines. Stakeholders, such as marketing, sales, and engineering teams, may have differing priorities or urgency, which can lead to conflicting demands. Effective communication, setting clear project milestones, and regularly updating all parties are essential strategies. Additionally, managing scope creep and ensuring alignment on product vision help prevent delays and maintain focus on deliverables.

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

To thrive as a Product Development Manager, you need expertise in project management, market analysis, and product lifecycle strategies, usually supported by a degree in business, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like Agile methodologies, product management software (e.g., Jira, Trello), and certifications such as PMP or Scrum Master are highly beneficial. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help you motivate teams and navigate cross-functional collaboration. These competencies are crucial for driving innovation, meeting market demands, and ensuring successful product launches.

Is a product development manager a 9-5 job?

A product development manager typically works standard business hours, but the role can require additional hours to meet project deadlines or address issues. Flexibility may be needed during product launches or critical phases, and some managers may work beyond 9-5 depending on company culture and project demands.

What does a product development manager do?

A product development manager helps a company design new goods and merchandise to increase sales and revenue. As a product development manager, you collaborate with market research and product marketing managers to form development and marketing strategy around new product ideas. You also work with teams in the product development and marketing departments to implement strategies and design new goods or services. You oversee quality assurance testing to ensure that the end user is satisfied with the products your company creates.

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

AspectProduct Development ManagerProduct Manager
Primary FocusOversees the development process, managing teams and technical aspectsDefines product vision, strategy, and manages the product lifecycle
Required SkillsTechnical knowledge, project management, team leadershipMarket research, user experience, strategic planning
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with engineering, design, and production teamsWorks closely with marketing, sales, and customer feedback

While both roles are integral to product success, the Product Development Manager primarily focuses on managing the development process and technical teams, whereas the Product Manager concentrates on defining the product vision and strategy. Understanding these distinctions helps organizations assign the right responsibilities and professionals to each role.

What is a product development manager?

A Product Development Manager is a professional responsible for overseeing the process of creating new products or improving existing ones within a company. They coordinate cross-functional teams, manage timelines, and ensure that products meet market needs and business objectives. Their role often includes market research, product design, testing, and working closely with marketing, engineering, and sales teams to bring products to market successfully.

What are the most commonly searched types of Product Development jobs in San Rafael, CA?

The most popular types of Product Development jobs in San Rafael, CA are:

What job categories do people searching Product Development Manager jobs in San Rafael, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Product Development Manager jobs in San Rafael, CA are:

What cities near San Rafael, CA are hiring for Product Development Manager jobs?

Cities near San Rafael, CA with the most Product Development Manager job openings:

Product Development Engineering Lead

Media Design

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

You build things. Not just in SolidWorks. Real things with your hands, your instincts, and a drive to solve problems that most engineers neverencounter.We arelooking for a Product DevelopmentEngineering Lead who thrives at the intersection of precision and creativity, where a parametric model in the morning might give way to a hand-built prototype by afternoon.


This is a role for someone who takes genuine pride in the craft. Someone who can own a project from kickoff to client presentation and still roll up their sleeves whenit'stime to get into the details.


The Nitty Gritty

  • Lead projects from conception through delivery including research, scheduling, third-party resource management, budgets, and scopes of work.
  • Build andmaintainstrong client relationships through direct communication and polished presentations.
  • Lead multidisciplinary teams
  • Nurture design and engineering talent, help others become their best
  • Constantly learn and educate yourself - become a subject matter expert in anything
  • Research emerging technologies and advancedcomponentengineering.
  • Understand client needs and build statement of work proposals
  • Attack challenging engineering problems quickly and creatively. Produce elegant solutions under real constraints.
  • Conduct periodic design reviews with engineers and designers
  • Develop and interpret system-level electrical block diagrams and MCOs.
  • You know how and can teach others to develop 3D CAD parts and assemblies to support detailed engineering, FEA simulation, and prototyping.
  • Drive complex 3D modeling in SolidWorks, including PDM Works, advanced surfacing, and parametric configurable assemblies.
  • Generate precise detail and assembly drawings.
  • Build mockups and prototypes craftsman-style, using hand tools with care and confidence.
  • Conduct system-level tolerance stack-up analyses.
  • Oversee others in quote, order, receive, inspect, and hand-build complex electromechanical prototypes end-to-end.
  • Test, analyzeresults, anditerate.

What You Bring

  • Comfort and energy in a fast-paced,multi-disciplinary, andmulti-project environment.Youcan context-switch without losing(a bit)momentum.
  • Sharp instincts foridentifyingand communicating project risks before they become problems.
  • A collaborative nature. You communicate fluidly across disciplines and know thatgreat workrarely happens alone.
  • The ability to juggle competing priorities with a level head and a positive attitude, even when the pressure is real.
  • Experience preparing timelines, calculations, and client-facing proposals.
  • Resilience. The design world rewards those who are genuinely passionate about making things.

Bonus Points

  • Experience managing externalpartners andvendors, including EE and SWfirms,on joint development projects.
  • A knack for coordinating, shipping, and tracking parts across multiple active projects simultaneously.
  • Ability to assess manufacturing feasibility and selectappropriate processesacross diverse industries.
  • An award-winning sense of humor. (We're serious about this one.)