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Program Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Marvin Group

SENIOR PROGRAM ENGINEER

Inglewood, CA · On-site

$109K - $149K/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 ...

Knightscope, Inc.

K1 Program Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$130K - $160K/yr

K1 Program Engineer About Knightscope Knightscope (NASDAQ: KSCP) is a security technology company building the nation's first Autonomous Security Force - autonomous machines, AI-driven software, and ...

Marvin Group

SENIOR PROGRAM ENGINEER

Inglewood, CA · On-site

$108K - $149K/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 ...

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Showing results 21-40

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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 Aug 15, 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 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 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 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.

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Cities in California with the most Program Developer job openings:

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Program Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Program Developer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,194 per year, or $28.5 per hour.

Operations Program Engineer 4

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Los Angeles, CA

$129K - $193K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 23 days ago

Northrop Grumman rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 363 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

88th of 540 rated manufacturers

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Defense System is seeking an Operations Program Engineer 4 to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Advanced Weapons (AW) business unit.

This position is required to be full-time, on-site in the Northridge, CA location. No remote/telework arrangement is available for this position. Applicants must have the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government DoW Secret security clearance.

The Operations Program Engineer 4 will drive endtoend delivery of strategic operational projects that enhance production efficiency, supplychain resilience, and compliance with defensespecific regulations. This role partners with senior leadership, engineering, quality, logistics, and external partners to define scope, create detailed plans, manage resources, mitigate risks, and ensure successful project outcomes while adhering to security and exportcontrol requirements. The Operations Program Engineer 4 must be a self-starter, self-motivated individual who can work in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Managing and maintaining the day-to-day interfaces and communications between the assigned Program Management Office (PMO), Manufacturing, Test, Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP), Mission Assurance (MA), Supply Chain (SCM), Engineering, and Shipping.
  • Achieving targeted cost and schedule requirements.
  • Facilitating internal meetings in a way to support design, production, and problem resolutions.
  • Reporting Earned Value Management System (EVMS) and serving as the Cost Account Management (CAM) for manufacturing projects.
  • Leading or participating on a product team, responsible for product-level requirements analysis, engineering and manufacturing of the products assigned, product tracking, and product visibility.
  • Representing manufacturing at the program Risk Review Board (RRB) meetings and creating / managing any applicable manufacturing risks and/or opportunities from the program risk register.
  • Supporting and generating proposal documentation as needed to foster new work.

Note: This is an individual contributor role and not a manager position.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, operations management, or related field with 8 years of relevant experience or a Master's degree with 5 years of relevant experience. 12 years of experience are required in lieu of a formal degree,
  • Leadership and project management prior experience
  • Experience with cost, schedule, project leadership, and/or process improvement
  • Experience with SAP or other Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system
  • Strong MS Office applications including Excel, Word, Project, and Power Point
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government DoD Secret Security Clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master's degree in Engineering or Business Management
  • Manufacturing or Engineering experience
  • Experience with bases of estimates, shop order creation, and Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS)
  • Active Secret clearance

#LI-MA1

Primary Level Salary Range: $129,300.00 - $193,900.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

What Northrop Grumman employees say

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939

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