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Tech Lead Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

AXS

Lead Software Engineer - Front End

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Bring your enthusiasm, your big ideas, and your desire to team up with some of the best and brightest in technology and entertainment. The Role AXS is seeking a Lead Software Engineer to join our ...

AXS

Lead Software Engineer - Front End

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Bring your enthusiasm, your big ideas, and your desire to team up with some of the best and brightest in technology and entertainment. The Role AXS is seeking a Lead Software Engineer to join our ...

Cadence

Lead Software Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

Cadence is a company that focuses on developing leaders and innovators in technology. They are looking for a highly motivated Lead Software Engineer to join the Protium Compiler team, responsible for ...

STR

Lead Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

Systemstechnologyresearch is hiring experienced Lead Software Engineers to join their multidisciplinary cyber/networking team committed to developing cutting-edge technologies that impact national ...

STR

Lead Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

STR is a technology company focused on advanced research and development for defense and national security. They are seeking experienced Lead Software Engineers to design, implement, and test ...

STR

Lead Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

STR is hiring experienced Lead Software Engineers to join their multidisciplinary cyber/networking team committed to developing cutting-edge technologies that significantly impact national security.

Cadence

Lead Software Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

Cadence is a company focused on hiring leaders and innovators in technology. They are seeking a Lead Software Engineer to develop a multi-threaded and distributed physical synthesis core engine ...

Northwoodspace

Lead Software Engineer (Cloud)

Torrance, CA · On-site

$174K - $260K/yr

Experience leading engineering teams or projects as a tech lead, with a track record of mentoring ... Software Engineering Manager/Level 3: $174,000 - 218,000 per year Software Engineering Manager ...

STR

Lead Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

STR is hiring experienced Lead Software Engineers to join our multidisciplinary cyber/networking team committed to developing cutting-edge technologies that have an immediate and significant impact ...

Paramount

Lead Software Engineer

Burbank, CA · On-site

$156K - $235K/yr

Lead Software Engineer, AI Tooling & Quality Engineering Platforms Team : Global Quality ... Evaluate and integrate emerging AI technologies that deliver measurable productivity and quality ...

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All JobsTech Lead Software Engineer JobsTech Lead Software Engineer Jobs in California

Tech Lead Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$81.9K

$144K

$195.4K

How much do tech lead software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for tech lead software engineer in California is $143,980.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $119,400.00 and $166,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Tech Lead Software Engineer vs Software Architect?

AspectTech Lead Software EngineerSoftware Architect
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS or related field, relevant certificationsBachelor's/Master's in CS, often with architecture or design certifications
Work EnvironmentHands-on coding, team leadership, project managementDesigning system architecture, high-level planning, technical strategy
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, startups, enterprise software teamsLarge organizations, system design firms, enterprise software
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles, responsibilities, career pathSystem design, technical strategy, architecture planning

The Tech Lead Software Engineer focuses on leading development teams, coding, and project execution, while the Software Architect concentrates on designing overall system architecture and technical strategy. Both roles require strong technical skills, but their primary responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

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

To thrive as a Tech Lead Software Engineer, you need advanced programming skills, deep software architecture knowledge, and experience in leading technical teams, often supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with tools such as Git, CI/CD pipelines, cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure), and agile project management systems is essential. Strong communication, mentorship, and problem-solving abilities are crucial soft skills for guiding teams and collaborating with stakeholders. These competencies ensure delivery of robust software solutions, foster team productivity, and drive technical excellence in complex projects.

What is a Tech Lead Software Engineer?

A Tech Lead Software Engineer is a senior developer who combines technical expertise with leadership responsibilities. They guide a team of engineers through software development projects, making key technical decisions, setting coding standards, and ensuring that best practices are followed. In addition to writing code, Tech Leads coordinate work, mentor team members, and communicate with stakeholders to align technical solutions with business goals. Their role bridges the gap between hands-on engineering and leadership, ensuring both project success and team growth.

How does a Tech Lead Software Engineer balance hands-on coding with leadership responsibilities?

As a Tech Lead Software Engineer, you'll often split your time between writing code and guiding the technical direction of your team. While you remain involved in architecture decisions and complex problem-solving, you also mentor junior engineers, conduct code reviews, and facilitate communication between team members and stakeholders. Balancing these responsibilities requires strong time management and prioritization skills, ensuring that both project delivery and team development are progressing smoothly. It's common to gradually shift from primarily coding to more strategic leadership as your team grows.
What are popular job titles related to Tech Lead Software Engineer jobs in California? For Tech Lead Software Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Tech Lead Software Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Tech Lead Software Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Tech Lead Software Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Tech Lead Software Engineer job openings:
Tech Lead Software Engineer jobs near you
Lead Software Engineer

Lead Software Engineer

Data Intelligence LLC

San Diego, CA

Other

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Data Intelligence LLC
Job Openings >> Lead Software Engineer
Lead Software Engineer
Summary
Title: Lead Software Engineer ID: 1581 Location: San Diego, CA
More about this job >
Description

Data Intelligence, LLC is seeking a Lead Software Engineer to support one of our premier clients in the defense industry. This role is located in San Diego, CA, and will focus on developing and sustaining mission-critical applications within a secure DoD environment. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical leadership, hands-on development expertise, and experience working on large-scale, secure systems.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the design, development, and maintenance of large-scale DoD desktop and web-based distributed applications
  • Collaborate with system engineers, business analysts, developers, testers, and end-users to gather requirements and develop technical solutions
  • Develop and implement proof-of-concepts based on user and mission needs
  • Architect and document system designs, ensuring alignment with project requirements and DoD standards
  • Oversee full Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) processes using Agile and incremental development methodologies
  • Ensure compliance with DoD Application Security Development STIGs (ASD STIGs) and cybersecurity best practices
  • Troubleshoot and resolve complex software, database, and network issues; perform root cause analysis and implement fixes
  • Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and code reviews for development teams
  • Interface directly with government stakeholders and provide regular progress updates
  • Maintain detailed documentation of system architecture, code changes, and development processes

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field
  • 10+ years of experience developing and supporting software application suites in a DoD environment
  • 5+ years of experience developing large-scale distributed applications using Microsoft technologies, including:
    • .NET
    • C#
    • SQL Server
  • Experience with web-based application development using JavaScript frameworks such as Angular, Node.js, or Backbone
  • Strong knowledge of web technologies including Web API, HTML, and CSS
  • Experience troubleshooting application code and resolving bugs across complex systems
  • Hands-on experience with Agile development methodologies in enterprise environments
  • Knowledge of object-oriented programming languages such as Java and C#
  • Experience developing software in compliance with DoD security requirements (STIGs)
  • Ability to define system requirements, develop architecture documentation, and lead project execution

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with TORIS platform or similar DoD information systems
  • Strong background supporting classified or mission-critical systems
  • Proven ability to lead technical teams and manage multiple priorities
Apply Now
 
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