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Software Manager Jobs in Goleta, CA (NOW HIRING)

As an Engineering Manager, you will play a key role in shaping our solutions, leading a team to build scalable, intuitive software that empowers property managers and residents alike. This is an ...

Note: the chosen candidate will manage embedded software engineers and/or calibration software engineers depending on experience/qualifications. Qualifications Embedded Programming * 6+ years of ...

The Software Engineer I will contribute to new product development and sustaining engineering ... Memory management * Object-oriented programming * Debugging techniques * Working knowledge of Linux ...

Software Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

$90K - $140K/yr

Qualified candidates will have demonstrated software engineering capabilities and success working in a collaborative environment with configuration management and version control tools. Requirements ...

Software Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

$90K - $140K/yr

Qualified candidates will have demonstrated software engineering capabilities and success working in a collaborative environment with configuration management and version control tools. Requirements ...

Software Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

$90K - $121K/yr

Working alongside teams outside of the Software group, including ROIC Design, Project Management and System Engineers. * Actively participate in ensuring quality assurance practices are adhered to ...

Working alongside teams outside of the Software group, including ROIC Design, Project Management and System Engineers. * Actively participate in ensuring quality assurance practices are adhered to ...

Working alongside teams outside of the Software group, including ROIC Design, Project Management and System Engineers. * Actively participate in ensuring quality assurance practices are adhered to ...

Management of internal and external development resources to planned schedule * Proven track record developing and deploying quality camera software and camera related test software, e.g., camera ...

Management of internal and external development resources to planned schedule * Proven track record developing and deploying quality camera software and camera related test software, e.g., camera ...

Management of internal and external development resources to planned schedule * Proven track record developing and deploying quality camera software and camera related test software, e.g., camera ...

Senior Software Developer

Goleta, CA · On-site

$98K - $125K/yr

Manage time in a deadline-driven, team environment * May supervise staff * Perform other duties as ... Ability to learn desktop software development or web development technologies, tools and ...

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Software Manager information

See Goleta, CA salary details

$80.4K

$154.1K

$192.1K

How much do software manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for software manager in Goleta, CA is $154,111.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $139,200.00 and $182,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Software Manager do?

A Software Manager oversees software development teams, ensuring projects are completed on time and meet quality standards. They coordinate between team members, manage resources, and communicate with stakeholders about progress and requirements. Additionally, they may be responsible for hiring, mentoring, and evaluating team performance. Their role bridges the gap between technical staff and upper management to align technology goals with business objectives.

What Is a Software Manager?

A software manager oversees the development, installation, and maintenance of new or upgraded software for an organization. As a software manager, you coordinate with staff to determine client needs and expectations, establish budget and timelines, and ensure that employees use the product correctly. You may also train company employees on how to utilize the software after it is installed and help troubleshoot problems that arise.

What is the difference between Software Manager vs Software Engineer?

AspectSoftware ManagerSoftware Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in CS or related field; management experienceBachelor's or higher in CS or related field; coding skills
Work EnvironmentOversees teams, manages projects, strategic planningDevelops software, writes code, tests applications
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in tech companies, startups, large enterprisesUsed across all tech sectors, startups, corporate IT

The main difference between a Software Manager and a Software Engineer lies in their roles. Software Managers focus on team leadership, project management, and strategic planning, while Software Engineers are primarily responsible for coding and developing software. Both roles require technical knowledge, but their responsibilities and work focus differ significantly.

How does a Software Manager typically balance hands-on technical work with leadership responsibilities?

Software Managers often juggle both technical and leadership duties, but the balance can vary depending on the organization and team size. In many cases, Software Managers spend a significant portion of their time on people management tasks such as mentoring team members, conducting code reviews, planning sprints, and facilitating communication between stakeholders. However, they may also remain involved in architectural decisions or critical technical challenges to stay connected with the team's work. Effective Software Managers prioritize delegating coding tasks to their team while focusing on enabling productivity, resolving blockers, and ensuring project alignment with business goals.

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

To thrive as a Software Manager, you need a strong background in software development, project management, and leadership, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with Agile methodologies, version control systems like Git, and project management tools such as Jira is typically required. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and team-building skills set outstanding managers apart in this role. These competencies are essential for delivering projects on time, fostering effective collaboration, and driving high-performing engineering teams.
What are the most commonly searched types of Software jobs in Goleta, CA? The most popular types of Software jobs in Goleta, CA are:
What job categories do people searching Software Manager jobs in Goleta, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Software Manager jobs in Goleta, CA are:
What cities near Goleta, CA are hiring for Software Manager jobs? Cities near Goleta, CA with the most Software Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Software Manager job openings in Goleta, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $154,111 per year, or $74.1 per hour.
Manager, Software Engineering

Manager, Software Engineering

AppFolio

Santa Barbara, CA

$167K - $209K/yr

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago


AppFolio rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

183rd of 245 rated software companies


Job description

Who we are looking for:
Do you have experience working on a product-dev team, shipping customer-facing solutions?  Are you passionate about expanding housing opportunities and making a real impact on the affordable housing crisis in the U.S.? We are hiring an Engineering Manager to lead a high-performing team responsible for bringing this mission to reality.
Mixed Portfolio is an enormously complex domain, comprising both Student Housing and Affordable housing. The Mixed Portfolio Foundations team is the cornerstone of both of these areas, building a strong foundation to accelerate these teams. As an Engineering Manager, you will play a key role in shaping our solutions, leading a team to build scalable, intuitive software that empowers property managers and residents alike.
This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced product-focused engineering leader who thrives in both technical execution and people development. You will foster an environment of collaboration, set the technical direction, and ensure we deliver high-quality, impactful software that supports thousands of businesses and residents. If you're excited about building world-class software while making a tangible difference in housing accessibility, we’d love to hear from you.
Your impact:
  • Lead, coach, and support a small, highly effective team of 4 passionate engineers to foster a high-performance culture of excellence.
  • Take a hands-on approach to the entire software development lifecycle: perform day-to-day project management to ensure successful, on-time releases; demonstrate ownership and accountability for the team’s delivery.
  • Build trusting relationships and collaborate across departments, in particular with product and design, to execute on company strategy.
  • Set the technical direction for the team, drive the evolution of the systems architecture, and make appropriate technology choices. Guide the team in ensuring we are set up architecturally for long term success.
  • Manage the delivery of software using Agile best practices including continuous delivery, continuous integration, and test-driven development.
  • Promote a SMART codebase (Simple, Maintainable, Agile, Refactored, and Tested) for a SAFE product (Secure, Available, Fast, and Easy).
  • Implement processes and metrics that allow the team to be efficient and focused and to ensure that products are market-ready.
  • Enable a culture of creativity, collaboration, speed, innovation, and excellence while continuously elevating the quality and caliber of our engineering organization.
  • Ensure the team fully understands the goals and objectives of AppFolio as a company and how their work fits into the bigger picture.
  • Foster a fun and engaging team culture—keep our tradition of daily standup games alive, where engineers compete for glory (and a free lunch), while building camaraderie.
Skills & Knowledge:
  • BS, MS, or Ph.D. in Computer Science or related technical discipline
  • Proven experience leading engineering teams during the evolution of the Engineering function from start-up to mid lifecycle.
  • 2+ years of successfully hiring, directly managing, coaching, and retaining world-class engineers.
  • 5+ years of demonstrated experience leading and contributing to the design, development, delivery, and maintenance of large-scale customer-facing products or high-performance platforms.
  • Well-versed not only in the typical Agile rituals and practices - but also the modern, genuinely agile practices of rapid experimentation and continuous delivery of value.
  • Proficiency with most areas of our tech like Ruby, React, and SQL.
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills with a proven ability to build productive cross-functional relationships and motivate team members. Must have a positive, can-do attitude and value collaboration.
  • The ability to thrive with high levels of personal initiative, autonomy, and responsibility
If you are interested in creating an exceptional SaaS products and being part of a successful public company, apply today!
Compensation & Benefits       
The base salary that we reasonably expect to pay for this role is $167,200 - $209,000.
The actual base salary for this role will be determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s skills, education, experience, etc.        
Please note that base pay is one important aspect of a compelling Total Rewards package. The base pay range indicated here does not include any additional benefits or bonuses/commissions that you may be eligible for based on your role and/or employment type. 
Regular full-time employees are eligible for benefits - see here.
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