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Software Engineering Manager Jobs in Santa Maria, CA

Belcan

Software Engineer

San Luis Obispo, CA

$104K - $145K/yr

GPS position management and navigation-related software development * Autonomy and system-level ... Degree in relevant field such as Robotics, Autonomy, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering ...

Omitron, Inc.

Space Systems DevOps Engineer

Lompoc, CA · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

Support vulnerability management and patch remediation in coordination with the ISSE/ISSO, verifying successful deployment of fixes. DevOps and Software * Design, build, and maintain CI/CD pipelines ...

Omitron, Inc.

Space Systems DevOps Engineer

Lompoc, CA · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

Support vulnerability management and patch remediation in coordination with the ISSE/ISSO, verifying successful deployment of fixes. DevOps and Software * Design, build, and maintain CI/CD pipelines ...

Atlas Copco

IE&C Engineer

Santa Maria, CA · On-site +1

$97K - $168K/yr

... using modern engineering software. * Quality & Performance Testing: Perform hands-on factory ... management, sales, manufacturing, and service teams. To succeed, you will need What you already ...

Atlas Copco

IE&C Engineer

Santa Maria, CA · On-site

$97K - $168K/yr

... using modern engineering software. * Quality & Performance Testing: Perform hands-on factory ... management, sales, manufacturing, and service teams. To succeed, you will need What you already ...

Atlas Copco Group

IE&C Engineer

Santa Maria, CA · On-site

$97K - $168K/yr

... using modern engineering software. * Quality & Performance Testing: Perform hands-on factory ... management, sales, manufacturing, and service teams. To succeed, you will need What you already ...

Atlas Copco

IE&C Engineer

Santa Maria, CA

$97K - $168K/yr

... using modern engineering software. * Quality & Performance Testing: Perform hands-on factory ... management, sales, manufacturing, and service teams. To succeed, you will need What you already ...

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All JobsSoftware Engineering JobsSoftware Engineering Manager JobsSoftware Engineering Manager Jobs in Santa Maria, CA

Software Engineering Manager information

See Santa Maria, CA salary details

$102K

$173.6K

$205.5K

How much do software engineering manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for software engineering manager in Santa Maria, CA is $173,622.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $177,300.00 and $177,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a software engineering manager do?

A software engineering manager oversees a team of people who are working on the development of new computer software or the enhancement of existing computer programs. Because this is a management job, your duties may include coordinating and planning with other departments within the company and with company executives. In addition to management skills, you need a firm understanding of the technical aspects of software engineering. Another aspect of this career involves understanding the market and competitor’s products so that your software can compete and meet market demands.

What does a software engineering manager do?

A Software Engineering Manager oversees a team of software engineers, guiding the development of software projects from planning to implementation. They are responsible for managing the team's workflow, ensuring high-quality code, and meeting project deadlines. In addition to technical leadership, they also handle hiring, mentoring, and performance reviews. Their role bridges the gap between technical execution and business objectives, ensuring that software solutions align with strategic goals.

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

To thrive as a Software Engineering Manager, you need a solid background in software development, team leadership, and project management, often backed by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with development tools, agile methodologies, version control systems, and, in some cases, certifications like PMP or Scrum Master are valuable. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and mentoring skills distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies are crucial for successfully guiding technical teams, delivering projects efficiently, and fostering a collaborative and innovative engineering culture.

What are some common challenges faced by software engineering managers when leading diverse development teams?

Software Engineering Managers often encounter challenges such as balancing technical leadership with people management, aligning team members with different backgrounds and skill sets, and ensuring effective communication across remote or cross-functional teams. Navigating these challenges involves fostering an inclusive environment, setting clear expectations, and adapting management styles to individual team members’ needs. Successful managers also prioritize regular check-ins and feedback to keep projects on track and support professional growth within the team.

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

AspectSoftware Engineering ManagerSoftware Developer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in CS or related field, often with leadership experienceBachelor's or higher in CS or related field
Work EnvironmentLeads teams, manages projects, collaborates with stakeholdersFocuses on coding, debugging, and implementing features
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across tech companies, startups, and large enterprisesCommon in all software development settings
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding managerial roles, leadership responsibilitiesFocus on technical skills, coding tasks

The main difference between a Software Engineering Manager and a Software Developer lies in their roles and responsibilities. Managers oversee teams, coordinate projects, and handle strategic planning, while developers focus on coding and technical implementation. Both roles are essential in the software development lifecycle, but they serve different functions within an organization.

More about Software Engineering Manager jobs

What job categories do people searching Software Engineering Manager jobs in Santa Maria, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Software Engineering Manager jobs in Santa Maria, CA are:

What cities near Santa Maria, CA are hiring for Software Engineering Manager jobs?

Cities near Santa Maria, CA with the most Software Engineering Manager job openings:

Software Engineering Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Software Engineering Manager job openings in Santa Maria, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $173,622 per year, or $83.5 per hour.

Software Integration & Test Engineering Manager I

Inspired Flight Technologies, Inc

San Luis Obispo, CA • On-site

$140K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Company Description
Inspired Flight's Purpose Statement says it all - Conserving resources, creating jobs, and saving lives by innovating the American drone manufacturing. Founded in San Luis Obispo, California our entirely U.S. based team designs, builds and supports highly capable and flexible drone platforms for both commercial and government customers.
Our purpose driven team exemplifies our Core Values. We are:
Collaborative: We harness the collective intelligence and energy of our team to surpass individual potentials and achieve shared goals.
Resilient: We approach obstacles with flexibility and creativity, supporting one another to stay focused, resourceful, and determined.
Diverse: We place a high value in people of all heritages, genders, sexual orientations, and points of view to spark innovation and solutions, enriching our work environment and outputs.
Continuously Improving: We are committed to ongoing learning and innovation by always seeking ways to enhance our processes, products, and personal expertise.
Underlying all of this is our deeply rooted belief that the cutting-edge aerial tools we create are advancing an industry that is good for people, good for our planet and good for the United States of America.
Location
This is an in-office position for hire at Inspired Flight's HQ in San Luis Obispo, CA.
Job Description
Inspired Flight is seeking a talented and experienced Engineering Manager to join our team. An Engineering Manager is a specialized role responsible for leading a team that focuses on software development, integration of payloads, and running validation and reliability testing for complex hardware and software systems.
This position is at the core of the engineering department at Inspired Flight and will be part of a rapidly growing company in the growing UAV industry.
Typical responsibilities:
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 4-8 software and test engineers.
  • Provide technical guidance on system architecture and code.
  • Champion best practices in software engineering, drone testing, and DevOps.
  • Manage software development lifecycle from requirements through deployment.
  • Work with product/hardware engineering teams to define integration & test requirements.
  • Interface with Product and Program Management on scope, schedules, and risk communication.

You'll excel in this role if you have:
  • Experience with UAS/drone systems.
  • Experience in working with developing & testing software on hardware systems.
  • Proficiency in Android app development, AWS, C++, Java, C#.
  • Experienced in leading front end web development
  • Familiarity with QGC, ArduPilot, PX4, and MavLink.
  • Strong technical leadership and decision-making abilities.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • UAV Pilot experience and/or a FAA Part 107 License.

Education/Experience Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent discipline.
  • 7+ years experience, with at least 2 years leadership experience.
  • Experience in a related field, preferably: UAS, aviation, aerospace, robotics, autonomy or defense industry.

Salary & Benefits Offered
  • $140,000-$170,000 DOE
  • Unlimited Paid Time Off
  • World Class Health, Dental, Vision Insurance Plan
  • 401k w/ 6% company match
  • Quarterly Team Bonus Plan

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may need to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Inspired Flight is deeply committed to building a workplace where inclusion is not only valued, but prioritized. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer that seeks to create a welcoming and diverse environment. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, or expression, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, neurodiversity, age, or veteran status, or any other non-merit based or legally protected grounds.
The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.

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