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Project Development Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Onigilly Inc

Development Project Manager

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$115K - $130K/yr

As our Development Project Manager, you'll be at the forefront of this exciting journey, guiding our food services projects to success. You'll oversee every detail, ensuring our onigiri reaches more ...

Onigilly Inc

Development Project Manager

San Mateo, CA

$115K - $130K/yr

As our Development Project Manager, you'll be at the forefront of this exciting journey, guiding our food services projects to success. You'll oversee every detail, ensuring our onigiri reaches more ...

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Project Development Manager information

See California salary details

$42.4K

$93.3K

$140.1K

How much do project development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for project development manager in California is $93,303.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,500.00 and $107,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Project Development Manager?

A Project Development Manager is a professional responsible for overseeing and coordinating the planning, execution, and completion of projects within an organization. They manage project teams, set timelines, allocate resources, and ensure that project objectives are met on time and within budget. Project Development Managers often serve as the main point of contact between stakeholders, clients, and team members, ensuring clear communication and alignment throughout the project lifecycle.

How does a Project Development Manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a project's lifecycle?

A Project Development Manager regularly works with cross-functional teams, including engineering, finance, marketing, and operations, to ensure project objectives are met. They facilitate communication between departments, align goals, and address any conflicts or dependencies that arise. Effective collaboration often involves leading meetings, tracking progress, and ensuring all stakeholders are informed of updates or changes. This collaborative approach is essential for maintaining project momentum and achieving successful outcomes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Project Development Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Project Development Manager, you need expertise in project planning, budgeting, and risk management, often supported by a degree in business, engineering, or construction management. Familiarity with project management software such as MS Project, Primavera, or Asana, and certifications like PMP or PRINCE2, are highly beneficial. Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and communication skills help foster effective teamwork and client relationships. These skills and qualifications are essential to deliver projects on time, within budget, and to the desired quality standards.

What is the difference between Project Development Manager vs Project Coordinator?

AspectProject Development ManagerProject Coordinator
ResponsibilitiesOversees project planning, execution, and delivery; manages teams and budgetsSupports project tasks, schedules meetings, and tracks progress
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in relevant field; PMP or similar certifications often preferredTypically requires a bachelor's degree; certifications are optional
Work EnvironmentLeads teams in office or on-site; interacts with clients and stakeholdersWorks closely with project teams; often in an office setting
Industry UsageCommonly used in construction, engineering, and IT projectsUsed across various industries for project support roles

The Project Development Manager focuses on leading and managing entire projects, ensuring successful completion, while the Project Coordinator provides support and assists with day-to-day project tasks. Both roles are essential but differ in scope, responsibility, and level of leadership.

What are popular job titles related to Project Development Manager jobs in California? For Project Development Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Project Development Manager jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Project Development Manager jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Project Development Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Project Development Manager job openings:
Project Development Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Project Development Manager job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,303 per year, or $44.9 per hour.

Development Project Manager

Outform Group, Inc.

Union City, CA

Full-time

Posted yesterday

Job description

$80,000 to $120,000

JOB SUMMARY

The Development Project Manager (DPM) leads the development lifecycle of permanent display programs from initial concept through prototyping, estimating, and manufacturing readiness. This role bridges Sales, Engineering, Vendors, and Manufacturing to deliver high‑quality, cost‑effective solutions. The DPM is expected to bring strong mechanical aptitude, hands‑on problem‑solving ability, and a maker mindset to ensure prototypes, materials, and manufacturing strategies meet functional, aesthetic, and cost targets.

SCOPE & ACCOUNTABILITY

· Full ownership of development for assigned display programs, driving concept-to-production execution with an emphasis on manufacturability, feasibility, and build quality.

· Applies strong mechanical intuition and hands-on skills to evaluate physical builds, resolve issues, and guide engineering direction.

· Makes strategic decisions around materials, fabrication methods, vendors, and cost drivers to support profitability and mitigate risks.

· Ensures timely, accurate documentation including specifications, BOMs, ERP entries, prototype evaluations, and vendor communications.

· Acts as a technical problem-solver, performing root‑cause analysis and ensuring underlying issues—not symptoms—are addressed.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

· Partner with Sales and Account Management to define project scope, budgets, fabrication methodology, and timelines.

· Develop precise project specifications translating sales requirements into engineering direction.

· Provide manufacturing and material guidance to Engineering, informed by practical fabrication limitations and spatial awareness.

· Participate directly in mockups and prototypes, applying hands‑on skills to evaluate functionality, assembly, fit, and manufacturability.

· Lead cross-functional teams to ensure alignment on cost, quality, engineering direction, and readiness for mass production.

· Conduct root‑cause analysis on mechanical or manufacturing challenges and drive corrective action.

· Manage vendor communications, including negotiating pricing, lead times, and production strategies.

· Oversee first article inspections with a maker‑oriented, detail‑driven approach to ensure specifications are met.

· Maintain accurate ERP documentation, including BOM modifications and revisions.

· Balance speed, cost, quality, and technical feasibility across multiple simultaneous projects.

KEY INTERFACES (NON-REPORTING)

· Account Management

· Engineering

· Purchasing / Procurement

· Estimating

· Manufacturing / Production

· Domestic & Global Vendors (including Asia)

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Success in this role will be measured against metrics including but not limited to:

· On‑time milestone completion rate – Development milestones delivered according to schedule.

· Prototype turnaround time – Average time required to produce and evaluate prototypes or mockups.

· Mechanical issue resolution time – Speed and effectiveness in diagnosing and resolving development or mechanical challenges.

· First‑pass prototype success rate – Ensuring prototypes are meeting functional, aesthetic, and manufacturing criteria without rework.

· Budget vs. target on development builds – Variance between estimated and actual development costs.

QUALIFICATIONS

· 5–10 years of project management experience within a manufacturing or product development environment.

· Strong mechanical and hands‑on problem‑solving skills; ability to understand assemblies and diagnose issues quickly.

· Experience building prototypes, mockups, or test models; strong manual dexterity and spatial awareness.

· Proven ability to independently manage complex, large‑scale development programs.

· Strong understanding of fabrication methods and manufacturing processes for materials such as acrylic, metal, and wood.

· Ability to read engineering drawings and translate into actionable build direction.

· Strong curiosity and technical depth; proven root‑cause problem-solving capabilities.

· Experience working with international suppliers, including long lead‑time partners in Asia (preferred).

· Proficiency in MS Office; advanced Excel skills a plus.

· Experience with MS Dynamics 365 or similar ERP systems (preferred).

· Strong communication, organization, and cross-functional alignment skills.

LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES & PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

· Strong mechanical intuition: Understands how things fit together and can diagnose issues quickly.

· Prototype‑driven, maker mindset: Enjoys hands‑on work, testing ideas, and iterating with real materials.

· Technical curiosity: Naturally explores how things work and proactively resolves core problems, not symptoms.

· Ownership mentality: Drives programs from concept through mass production with discipline and accountability.

· Fabrication awareness: Understands real-world constraints and has strong spatial and hand skills.

· Strategic and innovative thinker with strong autonomy.

· Clear and concise communicator who can distill technical information for non-technical audiences.

· Highly organized, proactive, and action-oriented with strong follow‑through.

· Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and drive decision-making.

· Thoughtful listener who values collaboration and continuous learning.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Working conditions include office and plant environments. Duties require walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, reaching, and manual handling of materials. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. Extended computer and phone use required. Travel up to 10% of the time is required and is an essential function of this position.

DISCLAIMER

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of the Employer. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.