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Program Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

OVERVIEW The Graduate Development Program (GDP) is a two (2) year structured learning and development program for select new graduates who hired into the ASR Group Engineering team. An Engineering ...

SENIOR PROGRAM ENGINEER

Inglewood, CA

$109.10K - $149.80K/yr

The role requires an Engineer that thrives in cross-functional environments, balancing technical rigor with program execution excellence. The successful candidate will be a motivated doer that ...

SENIOR PROGRAM ENGINEER

Inglewood, CA

$108.80K - $149.40K/yr

The role requires an Engineer that thrives in cross-functional environments, balancing technical rigor with program execution excellence. The successful candidate will be a motivated doer that ...

Alongside the Chief Program Engineer and other project leadership, the Program Director will coordinate a team of over 30 engineers and multiple subcontractors to bring this critical warfighter ...

Program Director

Irvine, CA · On-site

$225K - $245K/yr

Alongside the Chief Program Engineer and other project leadership, the Program Director will coordinate a team of over 30 engineers and multiple subcontractors to bring this critical warfighter ...

Director, Technical Program Management

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$150.60K - $194.90K/yr

... with engineering and architecture teams. • Drive governance, program dashboards, OKRs, and reporting mechanisms that create transparency for executives and global teams. • Work closely with ...

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Program Developer information

See California salary details

$26.2K

$59.2K

$97.2K

How much do program developer jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for program developer in California is $59,194.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,900.00 and $74,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Is a Program Developer?

A program developer creates or enhances software to meet company needs. As a program developer, you make work on applications for different departments, such as human resources, sales, or data processing. Your job duties include designing software solutions that make the company procedures more efficient, programming the computer language, and troubleshooting the code to resolve bugs and errors. Program developers may work independently or on a team of software designers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Program Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Program Developer, you need strong programming skills, knowledge of software development methodologies, and typically a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with tools like version control systems (e.g., Git), integrated development environments (IDEs), and frameworks relevant to the target platform is essential. Problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication are important soft skills that set top developers apart. These competencies enable the creation of robust, maintainable software solutions and efficient collaboration within development teams.

What are some common challenges faced by Program Developers when collaborating with cross-functional teams?

Program Developers often work closely with designers, product managers, and quality assurance teams. A common challenge is ensuring clear communication across these diverse groups, as each may have different priorities and technical backgrounds. Balancing feature requests with technical feasibility and project deadlines can also be demanding. Successful Program Developers proactively seek feedback, clarify requirements, and use collaborative tools to keep everyone aligned, which helps minimize misunderstandings and bottlenecks.

What are Program Developers?

Program Developers are professionals who design, plan, and implement new software programs or systems. They analyze user needs, write code, test applications, and work collaboratively with other team members like designers and project managers. In addition to technical skills, Program Developers often manage project timelines and ensure that software solutions meet both user and business requirements. Their work is crucial in creating functional, efficient, and user-friendly software products.

What is the difference between Program Developer vs Software Engineer?

AspectProgram DeveloperSoftware Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in computer science or related fieldUsually requires a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or software engineering
Work EnvironmentOften works on specific projects, coding, and debuggingDesigns, develops, tests, and maintains software systems
Industry UsageCommon in software development firms, tech companies, and IT departmentsWidely used across tech, finance, healthcare, and other industries
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for coding roles and project workCompared for system design and software architecture roles

While both Program Developers and Software Engineers work in software creation, Program Developers typically focus on coding and implementing specific programs, whereas Software Engineers are involved in designing and architecting entire software systems. The roles often overlap, but Software Engineers usually have broader responsibilities in system design and integration.

What are popular job titles related to Program Developer jobs in California? For Program Developer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Program Developer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Program Developer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Program Developer jobs? Cities in California with the most Program Developer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Program Developer jobs in CA? For Program Developer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
PROGRAM ENGINEER (R&D Fabrication)

PROGRAM ENGINEER (R&D Fabrication)

Marvin Group

Inglewood, CA

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago


Job description

The Marvin Group is a Strategic Partner for Global Alternate Mission Equipment and Sustainment

The Marvin Group, a leading defense contractor, plays a crucial role in the development and manufacturing of various systems for military aerospace and vehicles. Based in Southern California near the Los Angeles International Airport, The Marvin Group consists of Marvin Engineering (MEC), Marvin Test Solutions (MTS) and Marvin Land Systems (MLS).  Marvin Engineering designs and produces military Alternate Mission Equipment.  Marvin Test Solutions designs and manufactures armament Test Equipment. Marvin Land Systems specializes in the design and build of power and thermal management systems. For over 60 years we have maintained “A Tradition of Excellence”, serving as a trusted source for our unwavering commitment to supporting all branches of the Department of Defense and our global allies. Our collaboration extends across a diverse array of programs and platforms, including major military prime contractors such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon.

JOB DESCRIPTION

This position requires a strong background in Department of Defense (DoD) and/or Aerospace Programs, ideally spanning the engineering product development lifecycle including systems engineering, design, analysis, prototyping, qualification testing, technical documentation generation, transition to production, and technical project management. The role requires an Engineer that thrives in cross-functional environments, balancing technical rigor with program execution excellence. The successful candidate will be a motivated doer that performs and/or manages program/project engineering tasks within the product development lifecycle for pneumatic, mechanical and electro-mechanical components, assemblies, and systems of varying complexities, driving programmatic execution and maturity in support of transitioning engineering development programs into their sustained production environments. Prior experience as an Engineer and/or in a Manufacturing Environment for Aerospace or Defense products for Commercial or Military Aviation is a plus. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Support program/project engineering activities across the engineering product development lifecycle: from Contract Award, through conceptualization, design, and testing, and into production and sustainment. 
  • Develops strong technical understanding of MEC’s products and systems to become the communication bridge between Research & Development Engineering and other disciplines within MEC (e.g., Contracts, Systems Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality Engineering) to solicit their support for Engineering Development Programs. 
  • Drives and contributes to Systems Engineering Technical Review (SETR) Events, including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, etc. with content preparation, presentation delivery, and applicable action items resulting from SETR events. Provides inputs for Milestone decisions in DoD technical and manufacturing readiness assessments. 
  • Contributes inputs and commitments to support development and maintenance of Program Schedules, and mitigations of Risk and Opportunity profiles, for Engineering Development Programs. 
  • Interfaces with all Stakeholders in Engineering Development Programs, internally and externally, to drive programmatic execution and technical and programmatic deliverables to customers; and assure program success with compliance to requirements.  
  • Liaison with Technical Program Managers (TPM) to ensure configuration of hardware builds aligns to latest released Bill of Material (BOM) from R&D Engineering and to Contractual requirements.
  • Supports and contributes to technical and programmatic sections of new business proposals: evaluates and prepares technical content, defines WBS structures, collects and/or estimates cost and/or schedule requirements, and develops and/or contributes to risk and opportunity profiles. 
  • Highlights technical, hardware, and other issues precluding successful build activity to appropriate internal and external Stakeholders: TPM, Systems Engineering, R&D Engineering, Test Engineering, Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Subject Matter Experts, Supply Chain, External Suppliers, etc. Coordinates cross-functional meetings, actions, and follow up activity to identify and resolve issues and implement corrective actions.
  • Lead Program as needed.
  • Other tasks and duties as assigned. 

 SKILLS / REQUIREMENTS

  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, Aerospace, or Systems Engineering, with 0 to 3 years of experience in Aerospace, Defense, or similar Industry. Other STEM degrees will be considered contingent on relevant experience. 
  • Good working knowledge of CAD systems. Understanding of how to read and interpret engineering drawings, including GD&T, critical features/dimensions, and drawing notes. 
  • Demonstrated understanding of engineering product development lifecycle: from requirements generation/allocation to transition to production; and contributing to program/project engineering tasks for engineering development programs. 
  • Demonstrated technical writing skills: engineering documentation, Plans, Reports, Memorandums, PowerPoint Presentations, etc. 
  • Excellent technical communication skills, written and verbal. Ability to digest technical information, process and tailor it, and convert it to actionable information. 
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. 
  • Self-starter that operates as an individual contributor or within a team environment, balancing multiple priorities in a fast-paced technical development environment. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (NICE TO HAVE)

  • Previous experience supporting DoD acquisition programs and/or aerospace systems development. 
  • Familiarity with AS9100, MIL-STD-810, or other DoD and Aerospace quality and compliance standards. 
  • Experience with ERP systems, preferably SAP. 
  • Experience leading, contributing to, and participating in SETR events. 
  • Working knowledge of electronics and circuits. 
  • Knowledge of airborne weapon systems and /or weapon carriage equipment is strongly desirable. 

 

This position must meet export control compliance requirements. All applicants must be “U.S. persons” within the meaning of ITAR, as defined: a U.S. Citizen, a lawful permanent resident, political asylee, or refugee.
Interested parties please apply online and submit resume to https://jobs.marvingroup.com/ 

Visit us at https://marvingroup.com 
The Marvin Group is an EEO/Disability/Vets Employer.
Our company uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact People & Culture at 310.674.5030.

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