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Sr Development Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Assembly Development Engineer

Fremont, CA ยท On-site

$123K - $170K/yr

As the Senior Process Development Engineer, you will lead all aspects of development engineering, work with contract manufacturers, for our high-power CW lasers and their packages. This position ...

Sr. R&D Engineer

Santa Rosa, CA

$114K - $156K/yr

Join our innovative, patient-focused Research & Development team as a Sr. R&D Engineer at Endologix! WHO WE ARE: Endologix LLC is a California-based global medical device company dedicated to ...

Sr. Development Quality Engineer

Sylmar, CA ยท On-site

$89K - $121K/yr

MAIN PURPOSE OF ROLE This position is responsible for developing and maintaining quality engineering methodologies and providing quality engineering support within new product development, design ...

Sr. R&D Engineer

Santa Rosa, CA ยท On-site

$114K - $156K/yr

Overview Join our innovative, patient-focused Research & Development team as a Sr. R&D Engineer at Endologix! WHO WE ARE: Endologix LLC is a California-based global medical device company dedicated ...

Sr. R&D Engineer

Santa Rosa, CA

$114K - $156K/yr

Overview Join our innovative, patient-focused Research & Development team as a Sr. R&D Engineer at Endologix! WHO WE ARE: Endologix LLC is a California-based global medical device company dedicated ...

Senior AI SDE III -- GenAI & ML Platform

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

Senior Software Development Engineer, Advertising Technology Austin Domain 11 - HomeAway onsite Jul 7, 2026 Washington - Seattle Campus onsite Jul 7, 2026 * Software Development Engineer II - Full ...

In your first 6 months, you will define development test campaigns, design and build test setups ... Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline * 5+ years of ...

Showing results 41-60

Sr Development Engineer information

What is a Sr Development Engineer?

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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Sr Development Engineer?

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 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 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.

How much does a senior development engineer make?

A senior development engineer typically earns between $100,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. They often have advanced skills in programming, system design, and may hold certifications that influence salary levels.

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 and quality standards.

What cities in California are hiring for Sr Development Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Sr Development Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Sr Development Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution.

Senior Assembly Development Engineer

Coherent

Fremont, CA โ€ข On-site

$123K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago


Job description

As the Senior Process Development Engineer, you will lead all aspects of development engineering, work with contract manufacturers, for our high-power CW lasers and their packages. This position demands a hands-on approach to product performance, yield optimization, and production troubleshooting. Your expertise will guide the seamless integration of new products into existing systems and ensure our continued leadership in the market.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Development Engineering Leadership: Oversee the entire engineering development effort on chip-on-carrier assembly and/or package/module development for high-power CW lasers, high speed PD, and/or co-packaged optics, ensuring optimal performance and yield.

Manufacturing Collaboration: Work closely with manufacturing teams and Fremont product engineering and logistic team to address needs and optimize performance with contract manufacturers

Cross-Functional Teamwork: Collaborate with Fremont Product Engineers, Design, Planning, Logistic team to ensure good quality product on time delivery on schedule

Data Analysis: Utilize statistical methods to analyze reliability and test data, identifying trends and potential issues to improve product yield and quality; Perform thermal or thermomechanical modeling and analysis during the chip bonding process.

Education & Experience

  • A Master's degree or higher in Applied Physics, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering or related field.
  • At minimum 5 years' of industrialย experience in engineering development, preferably with a focus on semiconductor lasers or related optoelectronic devicesย such as photodiodes, semiconductor lasers and other devices with InP based materials.ย  Direct hands-on experience in semiconductor chip packaging is highly desired.ย 

Skills

  • Proficient in data analysis and statistical evaluation related to product engineering.
  • Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, capable of managing complex projects and diverse teams.
  • Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to addressing and preempting issues.
  • Willingness to travel frequently to manufacturing sites.
  • Excellent communication skills, essential for effective teamwork and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Working Conditions

  • This role will be based on-site in Fremont, CA.ย 
  • Regular use of a computer and other office equipment is necessary.

Physical Requirements

  • Sitting for extended periods while working on a computer or in meetings.
  • Use of hands and fingers for typing, writing, and handling documents.
  • Occasional lifting of objects or materials up to 20 pounds for administrative tasks.
  • Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Cultureย Commitment

Ensure adherence to company's values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

Integrity - Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration - Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability - Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect - Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm - Find a Sense of Purpose in Work


ย 

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.


ย 

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talentacquisition@coherent.com.


ย 

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!
Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.