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Software Executive Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Zoox

Executive Recruiting Lead

Foster City, CA

$185K - $309K/yr

Develop sophisticated, data-driven market maps of executive talent in relevant industries (e.g., autonomous technology, automotive, software, hardware engineering, operations, finance). * Candidate ...

Zoox

Executive Recruiting Lead

Foster City, CA · Hybrid

$185K - $309K/yr

Develop sophisticated, data-driven market maps of executive talent in relevant industries (e.g., autonomous technology, automotive, software, hardware engineering, operations, finance). * Candidate ...

Phocas Software

Account Executive

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

Phocas Software is a profitable, growing SaaS company with a loyal customer base and a category ... Create your happy place As an Account Executive at Phocas, you'll own the full sales cycle. You'll ...

Analytics8

Account Executive

San Francisco, CA

History of success in selling services and/or software and consistently achieving sales quota goals * Ability to execute a value based solution selling approach to senior executives * Experience ...

Zoox

Executive Recruiting Lead

Foster City, CA · On-site

$185K - $309K/yr

Develop sophisticated, data-driven market maps of executive talent in relevant industries (e.g., autonomous technology, automotive, software, hardware engineering, operations, finance). * Candidate ...

odoo

Account Executive

Brisbane, CA · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

You'll learn how to effectively sell Odoo's diverse software offerings throughout a variety of industries to provide value to customers on all fronts. As an Account Executive here at Odoo, you will ...

Aiara Inc

Sales Executive

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

Founders are from Stanford University, IIT, with hardware and software experience in Apple ... Sales Executive Responsibilities: Drive sales through: • Sales calls • Product demos. • ...

SPG

Chief Executive Officer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$250K - $400K/yr

Chief Executive Officer We are seeking an experienced CEO to lead and scale a global SaaS company ... Proven success scaling a $15M-$30M+ global SaaS or enterprise software company. * Recent hands-on ...

H. T. PROF Group

Chief Executive Officer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$350 - $700/hr

Strong enterprise software/SaaS background, ideally within MarTech, channel marketing, or marketing automation. * Experience serving Fortune 500/Global 2000 customers and leading enterprise growth ...

JobFormance

Chief Executive Officer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Chief Executive Officer We are seeking an experienced CEO to lead and scale a global SaaS company ... Proven success scaling a $15M$30M+ global SaaS or enterprise software company. * Recent hands-on M& ...

New

Sea To Land Logistics

Executive Assistant

Ontario, CA

$24 - $28/hr

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software. Benefits * Medical, dental, vision and life insurance * Retirement savings plan What Success Looks Like The successful Executive ...

Robert Half

Executive Assistant

Castaic, CA · On-site

$27.71 - $32.09/hr

We are looking for an Executive Assistant to support a CEO in Calabasas. This long-term opportunity ... Proficiency with standard business software and scheduling tools used in office environments.

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All JobsSoftware JobsSoftware Executive JobsSoftware Executive Jobs in California

Software Executive information

See California salary details

$26.9K

$96.5K

$150.8K

How much do software executive jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for software executive in California is $96,531.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,816.00 and $132,685.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a software executive?

Software executives are high-level leaders responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, management, and overall success of software companies or divisions. They often hold titles such as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO), or Vice President of Software Development. Their duties include setting business goals, managing teams, overseeing product development, establishing partnerships, and ensuring the company stays competitive in the technology marketplace. Software executives play a critical role in driving innovation, maintaining profitability, and guiding organizational growth.

How do software executives balance strategic leadership with staying updated on evolving technology trends?

Software Executives often face the challenge of aligning long-term business goals with rapid changes in technology. To manage this, they regularly engage with technical leaders, attend industry conferences, and participate in ongoing learning to stay informed about new tools and methodologies. Additionally, they foster a culture of innovation within their teams, encouraging knowledge sharing and cross-functional collaboration. This approach helps them make informed strategic decisions while ensuring the organization's technology stack remains competitive.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a software executive?

To thrive as a Software Executive, you need a deep understanding of software development, business strategy, and leadership, often supported by a technical degree and significant industry experience. Familiarity with project management tools, enterprise software platforms, and certifications such as PMP or Agile methodologies is commonly required. Excellent communication, strategic thinking, and the ability to inspire and lead diverse teams are standout soft skills in this role. These skills are crucial for driving innovation, aligning technology with business goals, and ensuring organizational growth in a competitive market.

What is the difference between Software Executive vs Software Developer?

AspectSoftware Executive
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science, business, or related fields; often includes leadership or management certifications
Work EnvironmentExecutive offices, boardrooms, strategic planning sessions, overseeing multiple projects and teams
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in tech companies, startups, and large corporations to denote senior leadership roles
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles, responsibilities, and career progression in tech companies

While a Software Executive focuses on strategic leadership, decision-making, and managing entire software divisions, a Software Developer is primarily involved in coding, designing, and implementing software solutions. Both roles require technical knowledge, but the Software Executive emphasizes management and business strategy, whereas the Software Developer concentrates on technical execution.

How much do software executives make?

Software executives, such as Chief Technology Officers or Vice Presidents of Engineering, typically earn between $150,000 and $300,000 annually, with senior roles in large companies reaching over $400,000. Compensation often includes bonuses, stock options, and other incentives, and depends on experience, company size, and location.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software jobs in California?

The most popular types of Software jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Software Executive jobs in California?

For Software Executive jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Software Executive jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Software Executive jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Software Executive jobs?

Cities in California with the most Software Executive job openings:

Software Executive jobs near you
Infographic showing various Software Executive job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,531 per year, or $46.4 per hour.

Executive Recruiting Lead

Zoox

Foster City, CA

$185K - $309K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Zoox is seeking a strategic and experienced Executive Recruiting Lead to build and scale our in-house executive search function. In this critical player-coach role, you will act as a trusted thought partner to the C-suite, shape the executive recruiting strategy and infrastructure, personally lead high-impact Director+ searches, and manage a dedicated team to deliver our most mission-critical hiring needs. 
In this role, you will...
  • Leadership: Design and scale a world-class executive search function, including managing/coaching a small team, development of internal executive research capabilities and long-term succession planning.
  • End-to-End Recruitment: Own and drive the entire executive recruitment lifecycle, from initial strategy meeting to candidate offer and closing, ensuring a seamless and high-touch experience for all executive candidates.
  • Hands-on Executive Search: While leading the function and team, remain actively involved in the full-cycle execution of high-priority, mission-critical searches, personally driving candidate generation, engagement, and closing for select senior-level roles.
  • Market Mapping & Sourcing: Develop sophisticated, data-driven market maps of executive talent in relevant industries (e.g., autonomous technology, automotive, software, hardware engineering, operations, finance).
  • Candidate Engagement: Articulate the Zoox mission, vision, and unique culture compellingly to high-profile executive candidates, often involving complex compensation, negotiation, and relocation strategies.
  • Confidentiality & Discretion: Handle extremely sensitive and confidential candidate information and internal organizational details with the utmost professionalism and discretion.
  • Partnering with Leadership: Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to the CEO, Co-Founder, C-suite, and other senior leaders on talent planning, and executive hiring best practices.
  • Process Improvement: Drive continuous improvement in executive search processes, leveraging tools, metrics, and interview methodologies.
  • Passive Candidate Conversion: Develop and execute tailored strategies to attract and successfully engage highly passive, hard-to-reach executive candidates, effectively converting passive interest into active candidacy.
Qualifications
  • Experience: 8+ years of experience with executive searches (Director+) and 15+ total recruiting experience.
  • Technical Domain Expertise: Proven experience recruiting executive talent in a highly technical and/or rapidly scaling environment (e.g., hardware, software, AI/ML, autonomous systems, high-growth tech).
  • Leadership: Successful multi-year track record as a player-coach, managing small team/direct reports.
  • Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and present to C-level executives.
  • Closing: Expert-level negotiation and closing skills, particularly for complex executive compensation packages.
  • Executive Sourcing & Talent Mapping: Providing real-time competitive intelligence and talent benchmarking to the executive team, identifying shifts in the talent landscapes that may necessitate  pivots.
  • Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
Bonus Qualifications
  • Experience at a retained executive search firm focused on technology  
  • Interest in the autonomous and electric vehicle industry.
Location
  • This role will report out of our Foster City, CA office in a hybrid capacity (minimum of 3 days onsite)
$185,000 - $309,000 a year
About Zoox
Zoox is developing the first ground-up, fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the supporting ecosystem required to bring this technology to market. Sitting at the intersection of robotics, machine learning, and design, Zoox aims to provide the next generation of mobility-as-a-service in urban environments. We're looking for top talent that shares our passion and wants to be part of a fast-moving and highly execution-oriented team.

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Accommodations
If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please reach out to [email protected] or your assigned recruiter.

A Final Note:
You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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