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Vp Software Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

This role serves as the program leadership counterpart to the VP of Software and forms a critical ... The Director, Software Programs partners closely with Product, Systems Engineering, Software ...

We achieve this through deep vertical integration, with design, engineering, and production ... This role serves as the program leadership counterpart to the VP of Software and forms a critical ...

Vice President, Engineering Common Sense Media is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to ... Champion the responsible adoption of AI across both our products and the software development ...

... Engineering and Vehicle Programs. The team's success will be measured on the consistency of ... Director, Software Programs (this role), VP, Software and Sr. Manager, Software Integration to ...

VP, Data Engineering

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$212K - $273K/yr

Success in this role requires close partnership with the SVP of Software Engineering, CTO, Data Science, Product, and business stakeholders, as well as the ability to inspire, grow, and scale a world ...

New

VP, Data Engineering

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$194K - $250K/yr

Success in this role requires close partnership with the SVP of Software Engineering, CTO, Data Science, Product, and business stakeholders, as well as the ability to inspire, grow, and scale a world ...

New

Head / VP of Engineering role We're hiring a strategic and experienced Head / VP of Engineering to ... Directly manage our software engineers, establish a high-performance engineering culture, and lead ...

Showing results 41-60

Vp Software Engineering information

See California salary details

$128.3K

$191.8K

$246.7K

How much do vp software engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for vp software engineering in California is $191,808.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $161,400.00 and $222,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a VP of Software Engineering balance strategic leadership with hands-on technical involvement?

A VP of Software Engineering is expected to set the technical vision and ensure alignment with business goals, while also maintaining enough technical depth to guide and support engineering teams. While most of their time is spent on leadership, resource planning, and cross-functional collaboration, they often participate in architecture reviews, technical decision-making, and mentoring senior engineers. Striking this balance helps them build credibility within the team and ensures that high-level strategies are executed effectively on the ground. Regular check-ins with engineering leads and involvement in critical projects are common industry practices to stay both strategic and technically engaged.

What does a VP of Software Engineering do?

A VP of Software Engineering is a senior executive responsible for overseeing the software development teams within a company. They set technical direction, manage engineering leaders, and align development efforts with overall business goals. Their responsibilities include strategic planning, mentoring teams, ensuring software quality, and collaborating with other departments. VPs of Software Engineering also play a key role in hiring, resource allocation, and fostering a productive engineering culture.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a VP of Software Engineering?

To thrive as a VP of Software Engineering, you need a deep understanding of software development, team leadership, and strategic planning, usually backed by a degree in computer science or engineering and substantial management experience. Familiarity with agile development frameworks, cloud platforms, and enterprise tools like Jira, Git, and CI/CD systems, along with certifications such as PMP or Scrum Master, is often expected. Outstanding communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution skills set top candidates apart in this leadership role. These competencies are crucial for aligning technology initiatives with business goals, driving innovation, and building high-performing engineering teams.
What are the most commonly searched types of Software Engineering jobs in California? The most popular types of Software Engineering jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Vp Software Engineering jobs? Cities in California with the most Vp Software Engineering job openings:
Infographic showing various Vp Software Engineering job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $191,808 per year, or $92.2 per hour.

Director, Software Programs

Lucid Motors

Newark, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago


Lucid Motors rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 37 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

19th of 44 rated automakers


Job description

Lucid is seeking a Director, Software Programs to provide senior functional and execution leadership for all Software Programs teams, within the Technical Programs organization. This role is accountable for defining, leading, and scaling the software program management function that ensures complex, cross-domain vehicle software is delivered with the right scope, quality, timing, and integration across Lucid's vehicle portfolio. 

This role serves as the program leadership counterpart to the VP of Software and forms a critical operating alliance with the Sr. Manager, Software Integration (also part of the Technical Program organization). Together, these three roles establish a tightly coupled execution model that aligns software strategy, feature development, integration, and vehicle program needs

The Director, Software Programs partners closely with Product, Systems Engineering, Software EngineeringProduct & Technology IntegrationVehicle TestingSupply ChainManufacturingQuality and Service to ensure software commitments are realistic, resourced, sequenced, and executable. 

You Will: 

Functional & Organizational Leadership 

  • Own the Software Programs function within Technical Programs, covering all software domains, including Infotainment, Controls, Connectivity & Cloud, Mobile, Cybersecurity and Release Management. 
  • Build, lead, and continuously evolve a high-performing organization of software program leaders and TPMs, aligned to Lucid's vehicle roadmap and software architecture. 
  • Define and mature the software program management operating model, including roles, responsibilities, escalation paths, and interfaces with Software Engineering and Vehicle Programs. The team's success will be measured on the consistency of software release commitments vs delivery. 
  • Establish improved methods for capacity planning, prioritization, and resource balancing across vehicle lines and software domains. 

Program & Portfolio Ownership 

  • Drive alignment on software scope, sequencing, and release content, ensuring commitments meet vehicle milestones and quality expectations. 
  • Represent Software Programs in executive reviews, program governance forums, and cross-functional decision-making. 
  • Working closely with the Software Integration TPMs, provide a holistic, cross-vehicle view of software delivery, ensuring alignment across all Lucid vehicle programs and external customer programs. 
  • Own software program health, risk management, and delivery readiness, ensuring early identification of gaps and decisive mitigation. 

Strategic Partnership & Alignment 

  • Partner closely with the VP of Software to align software development strategy, roadmaps, and execution capacity with vehicle program needs. 
  • Form a tight execution triangle with: Director, Software Programs (this role), VP, Software and Sr. Manager, Software Integration to ensure seamless flow from feature definition development integration vehicle release. 
  • Work in deep partnership with the SW Integration team (within Product & Technology Integration) to ensure vehicle-level software integration, release readiness, and risk management are fully aligned with software program plans. 
  • Challenge assumptions and drive fact-based trade discussions when gaps exist between desired scope and delivery reality. 

Process, Tools & Continuous Improvement 

  • Define and standardize software program metrics, dashboards, and reporting for schedule, scope, risk, and readiness. 
  • Continuously improve tools, processes, and governance used across Software Programs and SW Integration. 
  • Foster a culture of clarity, accountability, technical rigor, and one-team collaboration across organizations. 

You Bring: 

  • 15+ years of experience leading complex software programs in automotive, embedded systems, or similarly scaled, safety-critical environments.
  • Proven experience building and leading senior program management organizations across multiple product lines.
  • Strong understanding of vehicle software architectures, cross-domain dependencies, and software release lifecycles.
  • Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with executive engineering leadership and influence outcomes without direct authority.
  • Track record of driving delivery in environments with high ambiguity, competing priorities, and aggressive timelines.
  • Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to clearly frame tradeoffs, risks, and recommendations for executive audiences.
  • Direct experience with vehicle software integration and release management.
  • Experience operating at the intersection of Product, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering and Vehicle Integration.
  • Background in scaling program management practices for rapidly evolving software platforms.
  • Experience with common program and software tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Smartsheet, MS Office).
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field required.
  • Advanced degree preferred. 
At Lucid, we don't just welcome diversity - we celebrate it! Lucid Motors is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, and any other characteristic protected under applicable State or Federal laws and regulations.

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About Lucid Motors

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Lucid Motors is a highly innovative electric vehicle manufacturer located in Newark, CA, USA. Primarily engaged in the automotive industry, its mission is to elevate electric vehicles' standing and transform the way people travel. The company was founded in 2007 by Bernard Tse and Sam Weng as Atieva, a name under which it initially focused on battery technology. However, it pivoted towards automotive manufacturing and rebranded as Lucid Motors in 2016. The company is committed to making luxury, sustainable electric vehicles that break norms and set new standards with top-notch technology and engineering. Their mission aligns with their core values, which are centered around innovation, sustainability, and excellence. Notably, Lucid Motors launched the Lucid Air in 2020, an all-electric sedan well-received for its advanced features and impressive mileage.

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Newark, CA, US

Year founded

2007