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Software Developer Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Software Developer

Solana Beach, CA · On-site +1

$120K - $180K/yr

The Software Developer is part of an agile development team responsible for building enterprise ... Architect cloud-native solutions across managed services such as serverless compute, managed ...

Since 2001, Procede Software has been a leading provider of enterprise-level Dealer Management ... The Software Developer is part of an agile development team responsible for building enterprise ...

Software Developer

Brea, CA · On-site

$115K - $130K/yr

Software Developer Job Location: Brea, CA Job Summary: The Software Developer III co-designs ... Present software solutions and changes to managers and employees * Coordinate with software ...

Software Developer

Los Angeles, CA

$209.52K - $240.95K/yr

Build efficient software pipelines, as well as design and build software enterprise tools that enable multiple non-engineering teams to efficiently manage Ads lifecycle. Support application ...

Software Developer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$209.52K - $240.95K/yr

Build efficient software pipelines, as well as design and build software enterprise tools that enable multiple non-engineering teams to efficiently manage Ads lifecycle. Support application ...

Software Developer III

Poway, CA · On-site

$98.10K - $171.40K/yr

Ensure engineering work aligns with configuration management processes, release procedures, and quality standards. * Provide technical oversight of software architecture, implementation approaches ...

The Software Developer role involves designing, developing, and maintaining software solutions that ... management tasks. • Support the implementation of DevSecOps and Infrastructure as Code (IaC ...

The Software Developer will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software ... management tasks. • Support the implementation of DevSecOps and Infrastructure as Code (IaC ...

IBM is a leading technology company known for its enterprise data management solutions. As a Software Developer for IBM InfoSphere Optim, you will design, develop, and maintain core product ...

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Showing results 1-20

Software Developer Manager information

See California salary details

$10.9K

$137.4K

$159.9K

How much do software developer manager jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for software developer manager in California is $137,377.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,400.00 and $150,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

A Software Developer Manager needs a strong background in software engineering, leadership experience, and typically a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with project management tools (like Jira), version control systems (such as Git), and methodologies like Agile or Scrum is essential, along with relevant certifications. Exceptional communication, team-building, and problem-solving skills help leaders motivate teams and resolve conflicts effectively. These skills ensure efficient project delivery, foster innovation, and maintain high team morale in dynamic tech environments.

How does a Software Developer Manager typically balance hands-on coding with leadership responsibilities?

A Software Developer Manager often splits their time between technical tasks and managerial duties. While they may participate in code reviews, technical planning, and occasionally contribute code, a significant portion of their role involves mentoring team members, facilitating collaboration, and aligning projects with business objectives. Balancing these responsibilities requires strong time management and delegation skills, as well as the ability to adapt to the needs of both the team and the organization. This hybrid focus allows manager-developers to stay technically engaged while guiding the team's growth and productivity.

What is a Software Developer Manager?

A Software Developer Manager is a professional who leads and oversees a team of software developers, guiding them through the design, development, and maintenance of software applications. They are responsible for managing project timelines, setting goals, and ensuring the team delivers high-quality code. In addition to technical expertise, they must possess strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills to effectively coordinate between their team and other departments. Their role also often includes mentoring developers, conducting performance reviews, and helping to shape the overall technical strategy of the organization.

What is the difference between Software Developer Manager vs Software Engineer?

AspectSoftware Developer ManagerSoftware Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in CS or related field; often leadership experienceBachelor's or Master's in CS or related field
Work EnvironmentLeads teams, manages projects, oversees development processesDesigns, develops, tests software solutions
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in tech companies, software firms, and IT departmentsCommon across tech, finance, healthcare, and other industries
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding managerial roles, leadership responsibilitiesFocus on technical skills, coding, and development tasks

The main difference between a Software Developer Manager and a Software Engineer lies in their responsibilities. The manager oversees teams and projects, focusing on leadership and strategic planning, while the Software Engineer concentrates on coding and technical development. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but their day-to-day tasks and career focus differ significantly.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Developer jobs in California? The most popular types of Software Developer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Software Developer Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Software Developer Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Software Developer Manager job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 75% Physical, and 25% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $137,377 per year, or $66 per hour.
Software Engineering Manager, Developer Publications

Software Engineering Manager, Developer Publications

Apple

Cupertino, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago


Apple rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 661 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 30 rated technology retailers


Job description

The documentation engineering team is responsible for creating developer tools and framework-level support for the documentation workflows in Xcode and the developer website. ..We're looking for a software engineering manager to manage our Cupertino based Platform engineering team - the team is responsible for the services, Xcode integrations, and work on DocC - Apple's open source documentation compiler - that power documentation both internally and externally at Apple. The ideal candidate wants to tackle big problems, has a vision for the product, and cares about getting the little details right. ..As a manager on this team, you will be responsible for leading the design, development and delivery of features and products that 3rd party developers and Apple engineers will use every day. This is an excellent opportunity to work with us to build an extraordinary development team and deliver high quality products. ..We are looking for an individual with a strong desire to learn. Nobody is expected to have experience with all the skills below, we value candidates from all experiences and backgrounds. Please don't hesitate to apply if you don't meet all of the below criteria..
This will be your opportunity to be part of a highly motivated team who build first-class developer tools and apply them in innovative ways. Our team is diverse, dynamic and passionate about the products we build. Your responsibilities will include: - Participation in product development discussions, mapping functional requirements to a technical design and project schedule - Tracking delivery schedules and related dependencies - Writing detailed architecture and design proposals - Communication with external teams on various aspects such as technical design, project schedule, and project status- Participation in design and code reviews produced by engineers - Driving quality improvement initiatives and processes - Growing the team by hiring great and diverse engineers - Providing growth opportunities by mentoring / coaching engineers in the team
3+ years of experience in a leadership role managing software engineering teamsPrior experience as a software engineer with a strong understanding of the software development lifecycle and engineering best practices.Demonstrated ability to coach and develop engineers.Experience with project planning and resource allocationExperience shipping high quality user facing products and featuresBS/MS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Informatics (or equivalent experience)
Experience with: Xcode, Swift and developing for Apple's platformsExperience fostering a collaborative and inclusive environmentAbility to understand problems and designs at a very low level, with the expectation to contribute to and challenge decisions related to architecture, development, and operational processes Ability to communicate with cross-functional teams about various engineering topics such as system architecture, detailed design, APIs, project schedules, testing strategies, etc.

What Apple employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Apple logo

About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976