Engineering Senior Manager Jobs in California
Engineering Senior Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductors, software infrastructure, and clean energy across a market that draws demand at every level from newly promoted senior manager through director-track leadership. The largest hiring concentrations are in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where established employers like Northrop Grumman, Apple, and Qualcomm maintain deep engineering organizations that regularly seek senior management talent. The most in-demand specialties are hardware systems engineering, software development leadership, and manufacturing operations management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 590+ Engineering Senior Manager jobs
Claris is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Apple and the leader in the workspace innovation platform space. We are advancing existing technologies and developing new and exciting products.
We are seeking a Sr Software Engineering Program Manager. This role entails managing the entire software development lifecycle across various functions including Software Engineering, Product Management, QA, Legal, Customer Success, Design, Finance, DevOps, IT, InfoDev and Marketing while fostering innovation, collaboration, and operational effectiveness. Your leadership will be crucial in delivering high-quality software solutions for Claris's SaaS Platform.
Description
We value great teammates with ability to operate and communicate at a strategic level as well as to dive into operational and tactical details of each deliverable. Daily tasks may include requirements gathering, facilitating design discussions, project planning, mocking up proof-of-concept, tracking and reporting on feature and product validations, performing data analysis, working with partners, building team readouts, and more. A successful candidate will drive initiatives from ideation through launch, and build out the vision into sustainable long term programs and products. Strong EPM fundamentals are a requirement, and we are looking for someone with a passion, patience, and track record for solving complex and dynamic operational and technical problems. If you have a growth mindset and the motivation to build critical products in a fast-paced environment - this role is for you!
","responsibilities":"Lead software development programs from planning through launch, building and maintaining project plans that track priorities, dependencies, risks, and timelines.
Partner with Product Management to define release strategies that deliver iterative value to customers through scalable architecture and cohesive user experiences.
Communicate program status, risks, and decisions to stakeholders and senior leadership, and resolve misalignments across teams.
Build cross-team relationships that support collaboration and shared problem-solving.
Define and implement project governance processes and metrics-driven reporting to improve program transparency.
Adapt project plans and priorities in response to changing business needs.
Support your team hands-on, helping to resolve blockers and keep programs moving forward.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Business Operations, Project Management or related.
Proficiency with a variety of project management tools, including Jira, Quip, Slack, Box, and Keynote.
Experience with Claris Platform Products: FileMaker, Connect, and Studio.
Familiarity with SaaS platform product development, cloud technologies and platform services.
Experience delivering software solutions to small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
Experience in developing and launching AI-enabled features.
Minimum Qualifications
8+ years of experience in software engineering project or program management.
Experience leading complex software programs from initiation through launch.
Experience managing processes across the full software development lifecycle, including tracking metrics to improve efficiency.
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $207,400 and $311,700, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Claris is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Apple and the leader in the workspace innovation platform space. We are advancing existing technologies and developing new and exciting products.
We are seeking a Sr Software Engineering Program Manager. This role entails managing the entire software development lifecycle across various functions including Software Engineering, Product Management, QA, Legal, Customer Success, Design, Finance, DevOps, IT, InfoDev and Marketing while fostering innovation, collaboration, and operational effectiveness. Your leadership will be crucial in delivering high-quality software solutions for Claris's SaaS Platform.
Description
We value great teammates with ability to operate and communicate at a strategic level as well as to dive into operational and tactical details of each deliverable. Daily tasks may include requirements gathering, facilitating design discussions, project planning, mocking up proof-of-concept, tracking and reporting on feature and product validations, performing data analysis, working with partners, building team readouts, and more. A successful candidate will drive initiatives from ideation through launch, and build out the vision into sustainable long term programs and products. Strong EPM fundamentals are a requirement, and we are looking for someone with a passion, patience, and track record for solving complex and dynamic operational and technical problems. If you have a growth mindset and the motivation to build critical products in a fast-paced environment - this role is for you!
","responsibilities":"Lead software development programs from planning through launch, building and maintaining project plans that track priorities, dependencies, risks, and timelines.
Partner with Product Management to define release strategies that deliver iterative value to customers through scalable architecture and cohesive user experiences.
Communicate program status, risks, and decisions to stakeholders and senior leadership, and resolve misalignments across teams.
Build cross-team relationships that support collaboration and shared problem-solving.
Define and implement project governance processes and metrics-driven reporting to improve program transparency.
Adapt project plans and priorities in response to changing business needs.
Support your team hands-on, helping to resolve blockers and keep programs moving forward.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Business Operations, Project Management or related.
Proficiency with a variety of project management tools, including Jira, Quip, Slack, Box, and Keynote.
Experience with Claris Platform Products: FileMaker, Connect, and Studio.
Familiarity with SaaS platform product development, cloud technologies and platform services.
Experience delivering software solutions to small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
Experience in developing and launching AI-enabled features.
Minimum Qualifications
8+ years of experience in software engineering project or program management.
Experience leading complex software programs from initiation through launch.
Experience managing processes across the full software development lifecycle, including tracking metrics to improve efficiency.
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $207,400 and $311,700, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
See All 590+ Engineering Senior Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsEngineering Senior Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Engineering Senior Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Apple25
- Lockheed Martin15
- SpaceX14
- Google13
- NVIDIA13
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software59
- Electronics & Hardware24
- Consulting & Professional Services12
- Manufacturing8
- Distribution & Wholesale6
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in engineering senior manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program
- Professional Engineer license issued or recognized by the California Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors preferred for infrastructure and defense roles
- Seven or more years of progressive engineering experience with at least three in a leadership role
- Demonstrated experience managing cross-functional engineering teams of ten or more direct and indirect reports
- Proficiency with California-relevant compliance frameworks including CARB, Title 24, or aerospace quality standards such as AS9100
- Experience driving product development or capital project delivery within California's regulated industries such as defense, biotech, or clean technology
Engineering Senior Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a engineering senior manager in California?
Most engineering senior managers in California reach the role through a combination of an ABET-accredited engineering degree, years of hands-on technical work, and a transition into team leadership. Obtaining a Professional Engineer license through the California Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors strengthens candidacy significantly, particularly in civil, structural, or defense-adjacent roles. Employers typically promote from senior engineer or lead engineer positions, often after candidates have demonstrated project ownership and people management on medium-to-large teams.
Which companies hire engineering senior managers in California?
Employers hiring engineering senior managers in California right now include Apple, Lockheed Martin, and SpaceX, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's density of aerospace, semiconductor, and clean energy companies means hiring is distributed across both large prime contractors and fast-growing technology firms headquartered in the state.
Which California cities have the most engineering senior manager jobs?
The cities with the most engineering senior manager openings in California are San Francisco, Sunnyvale, and Santa Clara. The Bay Area's concentration of semiconductor and software companies drives the largest share of postings, while Los Angeles and San Diego reflect demand from aerospace, defense, and biomedical engineering organizations with long-standing California headquarters.
Are there remote engineering senior manager jobs in California?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields because engineering senior managers often oversee lab, manufacturing, or on-site teams that require physical presence. About 50% of engineering senior manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with fully remote roles most common in software infrastructure and systems architecture functions where no physical lab access is required.
How can I get hired as a engineering senior manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a team lead or engineering manager role first, then building toward the senior manager level over time. Large California employers like Lockheed Martin, Intel, and Kaiser Permanente run formal leadership development and rotational programs that give engineers their first management exposure. Earning a Professional Engineer license from the California Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors or completing a California-based graduate program in engineering management helps candidates stand out when competing for that first leadership role.
Where can I find and apply to engineering senior manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to engineering senior manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings in the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience and engineering discipline, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 590+ Engineering Senior Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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