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Software Engineering Jobs in Pasadena, CA (NOW HIRING)

Director, Software Engineering

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site +1

$272K/yr

Position Overview As the Director of Engineering, you will lead a high-performing global team of software engineers and engineering managers responsible for the S365 and SmartShopper applications.

Manager, Software Engineering

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site +1

$195K - $257K/yr

Lead agile software processes for engineering teams and introduce best-in-class industry practices * Partner with stakeholders to ensure the teams' contributions align with company objectives ...

Showing results 41-60

Software Engineering information

See Pasadena, CA salary details

$69.3K

$160.9K

$224.2K

How much do software engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for software engineering in Pasadena, CA is $160,919.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $130,900.00 and $188,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is software engineering?

Software engineering is the discipline of designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software applications and systems. It involves applying engineering principles and systematic methods to ensure software is reliable, efficient, and meets user requirements. Software engineers work with programming languages, frameworks, and tools to solve problems and build solutions for various industries. The field encompasses many specializations, including front-end development, back-end development, DevOps, and more.

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

To thrive as a Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills in languages such as Python, Java, or C++, along with a solid understanding of computer science fundamentals and a relevant degree. Familiarity with development tools like Git, cloud platforms, version control systems, and knowledge of software development methodologies are typically required. Problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and teamwork are valuable soft skills that help engineers collaborate and deliver high-quality solutions. These skills and qualities are essential to create efficient, maintainable software and to adapt to rapidly evolving technologies and project requirements.

What are some common challenges software engineers face when working on large-scale projects, and how can they be addressed?

Software engineers working on large-scale projects often encounter challenges such as managing codebase complexity, coordinating with distributed teams, and ensuring consistent coding standards. To address these issues, teams typically implement version control systems, conduct regular code reviews, and use agile methodologies to break tasks into manageable sprints. Effective communication tools and clear documentation also play a crucial role in keeping everyone aligned and minimizing misunderstandings.

What is the difference between Software Engineering vs Software Development?

AspectSoftware EngineeringSoftware Development
CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or related, certifications like CSWA or AWSBachelor's in Computer Science or related, coding bootcamps
Work EnvironmentDesigning, planning, and managing software projectsWriting, testing, and debugging code
Industry UsageUsed across tech, finance, healthcare, and more for complex systemsCommon in startups, small teams, and for app development

Software engineering involves designing and managing software projects, focusing on architecture and lifecycle. Software development primarily centers on coding and building applications. While both roles require similar educational backgrounds, software engineers often handle broader project planning, whereas developers focus on coding tasks.

Is software engineering a well paying job?

Software engineering is generally a well-paying profession, with median salaries often higher than many other fields, especially for those with experience, specialized skills, or certifications. Salaries can vary based on location, industry, and level of expertise, but it is considered a lucrative career choice overall.

What jobs can a software engineer do?

A software engineer can work in roles such as application developer, systems engineer, web developer, mobile app developer, or software architect. They often design, develop, test, and maintain software solutions using programming languages like Java, Python, or C++, and may work in various industries including technology, finance, healthcare, and gaming.

What work will a software engineer do?

A software engineer designs, develops, tests, and maintains software applications and systems. They write code using programming languages, collaborate with teams to solve technical problems, and often use tools like version control systems and development environments. Their work may also involve debugging, documentation, and ensuring software meets quality standards.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Engineering jobs in Pasadena, CA?

The most popular types of Software Engineering jobs in Pasadena, CA are:

What cities near Pasadena, CA are hiring for Software Engineering jobs?

Cities near Pasadena, CA with the most Software Engineering job openings:

Infographic showing various Software Engineering job openings in Pasadena, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $160,919 per year, or $77.4 per hour.

Senior Director of Software Engineering

GPL Technologies

Los Angeles, CA โ€ข On-site

$272K/yr

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago


Job description

Senior Director of Software Engineering
ABOUT US
Since 2003, GPL Technologies has helped studios around the world run faster, more reliable production environments. Trusted by 500+ studios in media, entertainment, post-production, and VFX, our team of engineers, consultants, and specialists understands the real pressure of creative deadlines. Our services span managed IT, software services, security & compliance (TPN), cloud, and production-ready technical staffing.
THE ROLE
GPL Technologies is recruiting a Senior Director of Software Engineering on behalf of our client. This is a hands-on technical leadership role reporting to the SVP of Technology, leading the software development function while remaining actively involved in building software. You will write production code, design solutions, make architecture decisions, review code, troubleshoot complex issues, and lead a team of 5-10 engineers. This is not a meetings-only management position; the role requires staying close to the technology and contributing directly to development.
The client's environment is primarily Microsoft Azure, but they are not tied to a specific programming language or framework. They value strong engineering fundamentals, modern cloud architecture, adaptability, and the ability to select the right technology for the problem.
A major focus of this role is AI-native software development. You will actively use tools such as Cursor, Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, AI coding agents, and LLM APIs to build software, and will help establish how AI is applied throughout the engineering lifecycle, with AI amplifying strong engineering judgment rather than replacing it. Our client is looking for a leader who builds: someone equally comfortable partnering with executive leadership on business problems, developing technical strategy, guiding the engineering team, reviewing architecture, mentoring developers, debugging production issues, and writing production code.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a software engineering team of 5-10
  • Personally write and ship production code
  • Design and build applications, APIs, integrations, automation, and internal tools
  • Own software architecture, technical direction, engineering standards, software quality, security, and reliability
  • Use AI-assisted development tools (Cursor, Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, AI coding agents) as part of the daily development workflow
  • Establish standards for AI-assisted coding, testing, debugging, documentation, and code review, and help the engineering team become highly effective at developing software with AI
  • Design scalable, secure, and reliable solutions within Microsoft Azure
  • Review code and help engineers solve complex technical problems
  • Improve engineering practices including CI/CD, automated testing, deployment, monitoring, and observability
  • Identify and reduce technical debt
  • Lead technical planning, development priorities, resource planning, delivery commitments, and the technical roadmap
  • Partner with the SVP of Technology and business leaders to translate business needs into software solutions
  • Identify opportunities where AI, automation, and custom development can improve business operations
  • Evaluate emerging AI tools, models, frameworks, development platforms, and technologies
  • Recruit, coach, and develop engineering talent as the team grows

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED
  • 10+ years of professional software engineering experience
  • 5+ years of engineering leadership or management experience
  • Significant hands-on experience designing and building production software; currently coding and committed to remaining hands-on
  • Experience leading software engineering teams and developing technical talent
  • Strong software architecture and system-design skills
  • Experience building modern applications, APIs, integrations, and cloud-based systems
  • Strong experience with Microsoft Azure or comparable cloud platforms
  • Strong understanding of databases, APIs, authentication, application security, distributed systems, and cloud architecture
  • Experience with modern DevOps practices, CI/CD, automated testing, monitoring, and source control
  • Demonstrated hands-on use of Cursor, Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, or similar AI development tools and coding agents
  • Experience with agentic development workflows and LLM APIs such as OpenAI, Anthropic, or similar platforms
  • Practical use of AI for code generation, refactoring, testing, debugging, documentation, and prototyping
  • Experience with prompt and context engineering, generative AI applications, RAG, AI agents, or workflow automation
  • Ability to evaluate emerging AI tools based on security, quality, productivity, and business value
  • Ability to quickly evaluate and adopt new technologies, frameworks, and development approaches
  • Strong problem-solving and debugging skills
  • Experience taking complex projects from concept through architecture, development, deployment, and production support
  • Strong communication skills with both technical teams and senior business leaders

NICE TO HAVE
Familiarity with the following Microsoft Azure technologies is valuable. Experience with every service is not required; our client is looking for someone who understands cloud architecture and can quickly learn the services needed to build the right solution.
  • Azure App Services, Azure Functions, Azure Container Apps
  • Azure SQL, Azure Storage, Azure Service Bus
  • Azure Key Vault, Azure API Management, Application Insights
  • Microsoft Entra ID, Azure DevOps and/or GitHub Actions