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Sr Development Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

City of Chico, CA

Senior Development Engineer

Chico, CA · On-site

$125K - $167K/yr

The ideal candidate will have experience in the management of engineering processes relating to land development, as well as knowledge of development practices, principles and concepts as it relates ...

City of Chico

Senior Development Engineer

Chico, CA

$125K - $167K/yr

The ideal candidate will have experience in the management of engineering processes relating to land development, as well as knowledge of development practices, principles and concepts as it relates ...

Senior plc

Product Development Engineer

Burbank, CA · On-site

Senior plc is an international, market-leading, engineering solutions provider with 19 operating ... Summary: The Product Development Engineer (PDE) is a manufacturing expert who interprets ...

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Sr Development Engineer information

What are Sr Development Engineers?

Sr Development Engineers are experienced professionals responsible for designing, developing, and improving products, systems, or software within an organization. They lead technical projects, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to solve complex engineering problems. Their work often involves overseeing the entire development lifecycle, from concept to deployment, ensuring solutions meet quality, performance, and cost requirements.

What does a senior development engineer do?

A senior development engineer designs, develops, and tests software or hardware products, often leading projects and mentoring junior team members. They utilize programming languages, development tools, and engineering principles to create reliable and efficient solutions, typically working in collaborative environments with project deadlines. Strong problem-solving skills and experience with system architecture are essential for this role.

What are some typical challenges faced by a Sr Development Engineer when leading cross-functional projects?

Sr Development Engineers often encounter challenges such as aligning diverse technical perspectives, managing conflicting priorities, and ensuring clear communication among cross-functional teams. They are responsible for bridging gaps between engineering, product management, and other departments to keep projects on track. Success in this role requires strong leadership, adaptability, and proactive problem-solving to address technical obstacles and facilitate collaboration. These experiences can significantly enhance leadership and project management skills, contributing to career advancement opportunities.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

A Senior Development Engineer can earn $10,000 or more per month, especially with specialized skills in software development, programming languages, and experience in high-demand industries. Such roles often require strong technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and sometimes certifications, but they do not always require a formal degree if skills are demonstrated through portfolio or work experience.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior development engineers, especially in high-demand industries like technology and finance, can earn $500,000 or more annually with experience, bonuses, and stock options. Such compensation typically requires advanced skills, leadership roles, and working in competitive markets or companies with significant revenue.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Sr Development Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Sr Development Engineer, you need deep expertise in engineering principles, advanced problem-solving abilities, and a relevant degree, often supported by substantial experience in product or software development. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as CAD software, programming languages, or project management platforms, as well as certifications like PMP or Six Sigma, is highly advantageous. Strong communication, leadership, and collaboration skills are essential to effectively guide teams and drive innovation. These competencies are critical for delivering high-quality solutions, meeting project goals, and ensuring successful cross-functional teamwork.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior development engineers, especially those with extensive experience, specialized skills, and working in high-demand industries like technology or finance, can earn $300,000 or more annually. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, particularly in large tech companies or startups with significant growth potential.

What is the difference between Sr Development Engineer vs Software Developer?

AspectSr Development EngineerSoftware Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in CS or related field; experience in software designBachelor's in CS or related field; coding skills
Work EnvironmentDesigning, developing, and leading complex projectsWriting, testing, and maintaining code
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, startups, large enterprisesWide range of industries, including tech, finance, healthcare
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for seniority and project scopeMore entry to mid-level coding roles

The main difference between a Sr Development Engineer and a Software Developer lies in their responsibilities and experience level. Sr Development Engineers typically lead complex projects, design system architecture, and have more experience, while Software Developers focus on coding, testing, and maintaining software. Both roles require strong programming skills, but Sr Development Engineers often have additional leadership and design responsibilities.

What are popular job titles related to Sr Development Engineer jobs in California? For Sr Development Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Sr Development Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Sr Development Engineer jobs in California are:
Sr Development Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Sr Development Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 18% Full Time, and 82% Part Time. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution.

Sr. BESS Development Engineer

Elevate Infrastructure

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

About Elevate
At Elevate, we are deploying reliable energy solutions that power the communities we serve. We're not just building infrastructure; we're enabling the future of energy, supporting massive digital and data center expansions and supporting a more resilient, electrified grid.
Elevate is where top talent meets real impact. We're a lean, mission-driven team accelerating the clean energy transition through bold, meaningful projects. Here, you'll work alongside some of the smartest people in the industry, have a seat at the table from day one, and help shape a company that's building the future of power-fast. If you thrive in dynamic environments, value authenticity over fluff, and want your work to matter, Elevate is the place to be.
Position Summary
In this Development Engineering role, you will support all design and development engineering activities across our storage only and storage + portfolio. This role is critical in shaping how our storage solutions are designed, developed, deployed, and scaled. You will own the engineering process from early-stage feasibility through 30% design, including technical support for major equipment procurement and construction contracting.
This is a hands-on, build-from-scratch role ideal for someone excited to take ownership in a startup environment, develop infrastructure and process, and help shape the way future projects get designed and built.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Standards Development
  • Support the development of technical roadmaps for BESS and PV+S projects.
  • Develop technology standards and design templates for repeatable project deployment.
  • Lead system design and architecture including battery, PV module selection and racking selection.

Project Development & Execution
  • Develop site constraints and generate creative layouts to help better characterize site conditions and risks.
  • Work cross-functionally with project development, finance, and legal to evaluate project feasibility and optionality using site constraints and knowledge about technology options.
  • Help manage Owner's Engineers and other technical consultants (scope, schedule, budget) in generating site studies to advance projects through development to handover to EPC.
  • Provide technical due diligence on potential sites and project acquisitions.
  • Support engineering deliverables for interconnection studies, grid compliance, and permitting packages.
  • Support bid preparation, RFP responses, and technical presentations to offtaker and financing counterparties.
  • Partner with procurement and EPCs to define scopes, review designs, and resolve design/field issues.
  • Actively manage the early stage design process with EPCs and OEs to ensure alignment and clear handoffs to EPCs and other counterparties.

Technology & Vendor Strategy
  • Evaluate and qualify new BESS and PV technology solutions.
  • Support procurement team in vendor selection, technical negotiations, and performance benchmarking.
  • Track industry trends in storage chemistry, degradation modeling, fire safety, and lifecycle cost optimization.
  • Manage technical relationships with OEMs, integrators, and consultants.

Candidate Profile
Required Experience
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Energy Systems, or a related field.
  • This role could be hired at a Development Engineer or Sr. Development Engineer level.
    • Dev Engineer: 1.5+ years of engineering experience in the energy sector, with at least 1 year designing utility scale or commercial scale BESS and PV projects.
    • Sr. Dev Engineer: 4+ years of engineering experience in the energy sector, with a minimum of 2 years designing utility scale or commercial scale BESS and PV projects.
  • Experience working at a project developer/owner operator or an understanding of the project owner mindset.
  • Demonstrated ability to support cross-functional efforts and deliver results under tight timelines.
  • General familiarity with interconnection processes and ISO/RTO requirements.
  • Proficiency with design and modeling tools such as AutoCAD, PVsyst, PVFarm or equivalent.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.
  • PE license is a plus.

Why Join Us?
Make a Meaningful Impact: Play a direct role in accelerating the energy transition by contributing to transformative, utility-scale energy storage projects-especially on complex brownfield and urban-constrained sites where innovation drives real-world results.
Thrive in a Mission-Driven Culture: Be part of a lean, agile team that values integrity, innovation, and decisive execution. We foster a collaborative environment where every team member has a voice and is empowered to make a difference.
Grow with a Company on the Rise: Join at a pivotal moment as we scale from startup to growth stage. You'll have the opportunity to shape strategy, influence outcomes, and grow professionally alongside a company backed by top-tier private equity and poised for significant expansion.
Elevate is an Equal Opportunity employer and committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome all applications regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or Veteran status.
The pay range for this role is:
95,000 - 130,000 USD per year (San Francisco, CA)
95,000 - 130,000 USD per year (Brooklyn, NY)

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