Engineering Senior Manager Jobs in San Diego, CA
Engineering Senior Manager jobs in San Diego are concentrated in Sorrento Valley, Kearny Mesa, and the UTC corridor, with strong demand from defense contractors, biotech firms, and semiconductor companies. Employers actively hiring include Qualcomm, L3Harris, and AeroVironment. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 652+ Engineering Senior Manager jobs
Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software EngineeringGeneral Summary:
We are seeking a Senior Director, Engineering – Data Center CPU Platform Software to lead the development and delivery of critical software technologies powering Qualcomm’s next-generation Data Center CPU platforms.
This leader will oversee CPU platform firmware, power and performance management, BMC and platform management, telemetry, and orchestration , driving end-to-end execution from silicon bring-up through production deployment. The role requires deep systems expertise, strong engineering leadership, and demonstrated success delivering scalable, reliable, and high-performance server platforms.
- Lead the development, integration, and delivery of CPU platform firmware for next-generation server-class SoCs and Data Center platforms.
- Own the execution of system power and performance management , including performance optimization, power efficiency, thermal management, workload behavior, and platform-level policies.
- Lead development of BMC and platform management software , enabling server provisioning, configuration, health monitoring, diagnostics, lifecycle management, and remote manageability.
- Define and drive the telemetry and observability implementation required to monitor system health, performance, power, reliability, and operational behavior across server platforms.
- Develop platform-level orchestration and automation capabilities that simplify provisioning, configuration, monitoring, diagnostics, firmware/software updates, and lifecycle management at Data Center scale.
- Drive software execution from pre-silicon development and silicon bring-up through system validation, customer qualification, production release, and fleet deployment .
- Partner closely with CPU architecture, silicon engineering, hardware systems, performance engineering, operating systems, validation, security, product management, customer engineering, and program management teams.
- Establish strong engineering practices for architecture reviews, development processes, CI/CD, validation, quality gates, release management, and production readiness.
- Drive root-cause analysis and resolution of complex hardware-software interactions affecting platform performance, power, reliability, manageability, or customer deployment.
- Build, develop, and lead a high-performing global engineering organization with strong technical depth, ownership, execution discipline, and accountability.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 10+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 9+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 8+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
- 4+ years of work experience with Programming Language such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's Degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science or related field.
- 15 + years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
- 5+ years of supervisory experience.
- 4 + years of experience with Database Management Software .
- 4 + years of experience with API.
- 3+ years of work experience in a role requiring interaction with executive leadership (e.g., Vice President level and above).
- 3+ years of working with operating bu dgets and/or project financials.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
- Leverages expert Software knowledge and experience to implement and oversee the design, development, creation, modification, and validation of embedded and cloud edge software, applications, and/or specialized utility programs.
- Analyzes user needs, software requirements, and time and cost constraints to oversee and influence the design and customization of highly sophisticated software with maximum operational efficiency.
- Oversees the resolution of design, coding, and other technical issues by presenting end-to-end solutions.
- Determines guidelines for design, coding, and testing efforts and ensures projects are completed to specifications and schedules.
- Sets the guidelines for code reviews, regression tests, and the triage of issues to ensure the quality of code.
- Collaborates with high-level representatives from other functions internally (e.g., testing group, product group, customers) and externally to develop and execute plan system design of a large initiative.
- Identifies, creates, and promotes a unifying system vision and strategy across organizations with associated long-term goals.
- Sets department guidelines for writing detailed technical documentation for Software projects; writes and reviews technical documentation for highly complex projects.
Level of Responsibility:
- Provides supervision to direct reports.
- Decision-making is critical in nature and highly impacts program, product, or project success.
- Requires verbal and written communication skills to convey highly complex and/or detailed information. May require strong negotiation and influence with large groups or high-level constituents.
- Oversees budgets, schedules, and performance standards for multiple departments or functional areas.
- Has a great degree of influence over key organizational decisions (e.g., is making or directly making key decisions that will have substantial impact over the organization).
- Tasks often require multiple steps which can be performed in various orders; extensive planning, problem-solving, and prioritization must occur to complete the tasks effectively.
Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here . Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies : Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits :
$251,700.00 - $377,500.00The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link .
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers .
Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software EngineeringGeneral Summary:
We are seeking a Senior Director, Engineering – Data Center CPU Platform Software to lead the development and delivery of critical software technologies powering Qualcomm’s next-generation Data Center CPU platforms.
This leader will oversee CPU platform firmware, power and performance management, BMC and platform management, telemetry, and orchestration , driving end-to-end execution from silicon bring-up through production deployment. The role requires deep systems expertise, strong engineering leadership, and demonstrated success delivering scalable, reliable, and high-performance server platforms.
- Lead the development, integration, and delivery of CPU platform firmware for next-generation server-class SoCs and Data Center platforms.
- Own the execution of system power and performance management , including performance optimization, power efficiency, thermal management, workload behavior, and platform-level policies.
- Lead development of BMC and platform management software , enabling server provisioning, configuration, health monitoring, diagnostics, lifecycle management, and remote manageability.
- Define and drive the telemetry and observability implementation required to monitor system health, performance, power, reliability, and operational behavior across server platforms.
- Develop platform-level orchestration and automation capabilities that simplify provisioning, configuration, monitoring, diagnostics, firmware/software updates, and lifecycle management at Data Center scale.
- Drive software execution from pre-silicon development and silicon bring-up through system validation, customer qualification, production release, and fleet deployment .
- Partner closely with CPU architecture, silicon engineering, hardware systems, performance engineering, operating systems, validation, security, product management, customer engineering, and program management teams.
- Establish strong engineering practices for architecture reviews, development processes, CI/CD, validation, quality gates, release management, and production readiness.
- Drive root-cause analysis and resolution of complex hardware-software interactions affecting platform performance, power, reliability, manageability, or customer deployment.
- Build, develop, and lead a high-performing global engineering organization with strong technical depth, ownership, execution discipline, and accountability.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 10+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 9+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 8+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
- 4+ years of work experience with Programming Language such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's Degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science or related field.
- 15 + years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
- 5+ years of supervisory experience.
- 4 + years of experience with Database Management Software .
- 4 + years of experience with API.
- 3+ years of work experience in a role requiring interaction with executive leadership (e.g., Vice President level and above).
- 3+ years of working with operating bu dgets and/or project financials.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
- Leverages expert Software knowledge and experience to implement and oversee the design, development, creation, modification, and validation of embedded and cloud edge software, applications, and/or specialized utility programs.
- Analyzes user needs, software requirements, and time and cost constraints to oversee and influence the design and customization of highly sophisticated software with maximum operational efficiency.
- Oversees the resolution of design, coding, and other technical issues by presenting end-to-end solutions.
- Determines guidelines for design, coding, and testing efforts and ensures projects are completed to specifications and schedules.
- Sets the guidelines for code reviews, regression tests, and the triage of issues to ensure the quality of code.
- Collaborates with high-level representatives from other functions internally (e.g., testing group, product group, customers) and externally to develop and execute plan system design of a large initiative.
- Identifies, creates, and promotes a unifying system vision and strategy across organizations with associated long-term goals.
- Sets department guidelines for writing detailed technical documentation for Software projects; writes and reviews technical documentation for highly complex projects.
Level of Responsibility:
- Provides supervision to direct reports.
- Decision-making is critical in nature and highly impacts program, product, or project success.
- Requires verbal and written communication skills to convey highly complex and/or detailed information. May require strong negotiation and influence with large groups or high-level constituents.
- Oversees budgets, schedules, and performance standards for multiple departments or functional areas.
- Has a great degree of influence over key organizational decisions (e.g., is making or directly making key decisions that will have substantial impact over the organization).
- Tasks often require multiple steps which can be performed in various orders; extensive planning, problem-solving, and prioritization must occur to complete the tasks effectively.
Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here . Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies : Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits :
$251,700.00 - $377,500.00The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link .
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers .
See All 652+ Engineering Senior Manager Jobs in San Diego
Find roles in San Diego that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsEngineering Senior Manager Job Market in San Diego
Who's Hiring
- Qualcomm136
- L3Harris45
- AeroVironment45
- NV530
- Apple30
Top Industries Hiring
- Telecommunications30
- Technology & Software30
- Electronics & Hardware30
- Aerospace & Defense15
- Construction & Real Estate15
Engineering Senior Manager Jobs in San Diego: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a engineering senior manager job in San Diego?
Focus your search on San Diego's defense and aerospace corridor in Kearny Mesa and Sorrento Valley, where engineering leadership roles are most concentrated. Biotech and medical device companies in Torrey Pines and UTC also hire regularly at this level. Candidates with cross-functional program experience, security clearance eligibility, and familiarity with government contract environments tend to move faster through hiring in this market.
Which companies hire engineering senior managers in San Diego?
Companies currently hiring engineering senior managers in San Diego include Qualcomm, L3Harris, and AeroVironment, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. San Diego's employer base skews toward defense primes, life sciences companies, and semiconductor manufacturers, many of which maintain large engineering organizations with ongoing senior management needs.
Are there remote engineering senior manager jobs in San Diego?
Yes, though the role is often limited in remote flexibility given its emphasis on team oversight, cross-functional coordination, and site-level accountability. About 37% of engineering senior manager openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with hybrid arrangements more common at software-adjacent and systems engineering firms in UTC and downtown.
How can I get a engineering senior manager job in San Diego with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is moving into a team lead or principal engineer role at one of San Diego's mid-size defense subcontractors or biotech companies, where promotion to senior management is often internal. Companies in Sorrento Valley and Kearny Mesa regularly develop engineers into people managers. Building experience managing projects, budgets, or small teams within those environments is the clearest route to a senior manager title locally.
Which industries hire the most engineering senior managers in San Diego?
San Diego engineering senior manager roles concentrate in Telecommunications, Technology & Software, and Electronics & Hardware, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. San Diego's strong defense contracting base, nationally significant biotech cluster, and growing semiconductor presence consistently generate senior engineering leadership demand across those sectors.
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