Head Of Engineering Jobs in California
Head Of Engineering jobs in California represent one of the most active and competitive markets in the country, concentrated in technology, semiconductors, defense, and clean energy across a seniority range from principal engineer stepping into leadership through seasoned VP-level executives. The largest hiring metros are San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where companies like Apple, Qualcomm, and Northrop Grumman maintain deep engineering organizations and consistently recruit at this level. The most in-demand specialties are hardware systems, software platform engineering, and AI infrastructure. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Introduction
Saab UK is part of Scandinavia’s largest defence company, bringing together the best of Swedish and British innovation. Saab offers world-leading solutions and services in defence, aviation, space, and civil security to keep people and society safe. Our UK presence has been growing at pace, meaning we can offer a wide range of opportunities for personal fulfilment and career growth. We currently employ over 600 people across eight sites in the UK, and our specialisations include software engineering, underwater robotics, radars, AI, and armed forces training.
What you will be part of
Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring purpose, to help nations keep their people and society safe.
Empowered by its 28,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world.
Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems.
Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defence capability of several nations.
The Role:
The Head of Software Engineering is the focal point for software engineering capability within BlueBear a Saab company and is accountable for the performance, development and growth of the Software Engineering function. You will be responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of software solutions across research, product development and customer programmes, encompassing mission systems, embedded software, autonomy-enabling technologies, DevOps capabilities and supporting engineering infrastructure.
The role will provide strategic, technical and people leadership to ensure the business develops and delivers high-quality, innovative and secure software systems. Working closely with Engineering, Product, Programme and Saab stakeholders, the role is responsible for defining software strategy, developing engineering capability, improving engineering maturity and fostering a high-performing engineering culture.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the Software Engineering function to ensure successful delivery of projects and products to agreed cost, schedule, quality and performance targets.
- Define and execute the Software Engineering strategy in alignment with business objectives and future product roadmaps.
- Provide leadership, governance and technical direction across all software engineering activities.
- Support the definition and execution of the organisation's long-term technical vision.
- Promote a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement throughout the engineering organisation.
- Stay current with emerging technologies, industry trends and software engineering best practices.
Engineering Capability & Delivery:
- Oversee software development activities across R&D programmes, product development and customer-funded projects.
- Ensure effective planning, prioritisation and utilisation of software engineering resources.
- Establish and maintain software engineering metrics and performance indicators.
- Lead software delivery reviews and ensure effective management of technical risks, dependencies and issues.
- Work collaboratively with Project Managers and Technical Leads to achieve successful project outcomes.
- Support software-related customer demonstrations, trials and technical reviews.
Architecture, Quality & Engineering Excellence:
- Establish and maintain software engineering standards, processes and governance.
- Ensure appropriate architectural oversight across software products and technology platforms.
- Champion best practices in software design, testing, configuration management and release management.
- Drive continuous improvement in software quality, reliability, safety and security.
- Promote the adoption of automated testing, CI/CD, DevOps and modern software development practices.
- Manage technical debt and ensure long-term maintainability of software products and frameworks.
People Leadership:
- Lead, coach, mentor and develop the Software Engineering team and individuals technical growth.
- Build organisational capability through recruitment, succession planning and skills development.
- Conduct performance management, objective setting and career development activities.
- Foster an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing engineering culture.
- Work closely with HR to ensure effective workforce planning and talent management.
DevOps & Engineering Infrastructure:
- Ensure the software organisation has effective tooling, development environments and engineering infrastructure.
- Support continual improvement of source control, build systems, CI/CD pipelines, test automation and deployment processes.
- Oversee software development tooling, licensing and open-source governance.
- Drive improvements in developer productivity, engineering efficiency and operational resilience.
Business Development & Stakeholder Engagement:
- Support business development activities through technical leadership, customer engagement and bid support.
- Contribute to proposal development, technical strategy and solution definition activities.
- Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers and strategic partners.
- Identify opportunities across Saab and external organisations that can expand BlueBear's software capability and business opportunities.
- Represent the Software Engineering function at internal and external reviews, workshops and technical forums.
As a National Security Vetting clearance is required for this role, applicants will be required to hold National Security Vetting clearance to SC level or have the ability to gain it.
By submitting an application to Saab UK you consent to undertaking workforce screening activities that may include but are not limited to: Baseline Personnel Security checks, National Security Vetting, reference checks, verification of working rights and in all circumstances preferred candidates will be placed through a security interview.
Introduction
Saab UK is part of Scandinavia’s largest defence company, bringing together the best of Swedish and British innovation. Saab offers world-leading solutions and services in defence, aviation, space, and civil security to keep people and society safe. Our UK presence has been growing at pace, meaning we can offer a wide range of opportunities for personal fulfilment and career growth. We currently employ over 600 people across eight sites in the UK, and our specialisations include software engineering, underwater robotics, radars, AI, and armed forces training.
What you will be part of
Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring purpose, to help nations keep their people and society safe.
Empowered by its 28,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world.
Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems.
Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defence capability of several nations.
The Role:
The Head of Software Engineering is the focal point for software engineering capability within BlueBear a Saab company and is accountable for the performance, development and growth of the Software Engineering function. You will be responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of software solutions across research, product development and customer programmes, encompassing mission systems, embedded software, autonomy-enabling technologies, DevOps capabilities and supporting engineering infrastructure.
The role will provide strategic, technical and people leadership to ensure the business develops and delivers high-quality, innovative and secure software systems. Working closely with Engineering, Product, Programme and Saab stakeholders, the role is responsible for defining software strategy, developing engineering capability, improving engineering maturity and fostering a high-performing engineering culture.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the Software Engineering function to ensure successful delivery of projects and products to agreed cost, schedule, quality and performance targets.
- Define and execute the Software Engineering strategy in alignment with business objectives and future product roadmaps.
- Provide leadership, governance and technical direction across all software engineering activities.
- Support the definition and execution of the organisation's long-term technical vision.
- Promote a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement throughout the engineering organisation.
- Stay current with emerging technologies, industry trends and software engineering best practices.
Engineering Capability & Delivery:
- Oversee software development activities across R&D programmes, product development and customer-funded projects.
- Ensure effective planning, prioritisation and utilisation of software engineering resources.
- Establish and maintain software engineering metrics and performance indicators.
- Lead software delivery reviews and ensure effective management of technical risks, dependencies and issues.
- Work collaboratively with Project Managers and Technical Leads to achieve successful project outcomes.
- Support software-related customer demonstrations, trials and technical reviews.
Architecture, Quality & Engineering Excellence:
- Establish and maintain software engineering standards, processes and governance.
- Ensure appropriate architectural oversight across software products and technology platforms.
- Champion best practices in software design, testing, configuration management and release management.
- Drive continuous improvement in software quality, reliability, safety and security.
- Promote the adoption of automated testing, CI/CD, DevOps and modern software development practices.
- Manage technical debt and ensure long-term maintainability of software products and frameworks.
People Leadership:
- Lead, coach, mentor and develop the Software Engineering team and individuals technical growth.
- Build organisational capability through recruitment, succession planning and skills development.
- Conduct performance management, objective setting and career development activities.
- Foster an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing engineering culture.
- Work closely with HR to ensure effective workforce planning and talent management.
DevOps & Engineering Infrastructure:
- Ensure the software organisation has effective tooling, development environments and engineering infrastructure.
- Support continual improvement of source control, build systems, CI/CD pipelines, test automation and deployment processes.
- Oversee software development tooling, licensing and open-source governance.
- Drive improvements in developer productivity, engineering efficiency and operational resilience.
Business Development & Stakeholder Engagement:
- Support business development activities through technical leadership, customer engagement and bid support.
- Contribute to proposal development, technical strategy and solution definition activities.
- Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers and strategic partners.
- Identify opportunities across Saab and external organisations that can expand BlueBear's software capability and business opportunities.
- Represent the Software Engineering function at internal and external reviews, workshops and technical forums.
As a National Security Vetting clearance is required for this role, applicants will be required to hold National Security Vetting clearance to SC level or have the ability to gain it.
By submitting an application to Saab UK you consent to undertaking workforce screening activities that may include but are not limited to: Baseline Personnel Security checks, National Security Vetting, reference checks, verification of working rights and in all circumstances preferred candidates will be placed through a security interview.
See All 37 Head Of Engineering Jobs in California
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Find Head Of Engineering JobsHead Of Engineering Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Head Of Engineering Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software10
- Banking & Financial Services2
- Investment & Asset Management2
- Energy1
- Insurance1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in head of engineering jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, computer science, or a closely related discipline
- Proven experience leading and scaling multi-team engineering organizations in a California-based tech or defense environment
- Deep expertise in at least one core California industry vertical such as semiconductors, aerospace, or enterprise software
- Demonstrated ability to own technical roadmap and align engineering execution with business objectives
- Experience recruiting and developing senior engineers and managing cross-functional stakeholder relationships
- Familiarity with California labor law requirements including pay transparency and classification compliance for engineering staff
Head Of Engineering Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a head of engineering in California?
Most heads of engineering in California reach the role by progressing from individual contributor engineer to engineering manager and then director before stepping into an org-wide leadership seat. A bachelor's degree in engineering or computer science is the standard baseline, and many California employers at larger technology or defense firms prefer a master's degree. No state-issued license is required for the role itself, though engineers who also practice as licensed professional engineers in California do so through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists.
How much do head of engineerings make in California?
Head of engineerings in California earn a median of about $210,280 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $137,900 for the lowest 10% to over $296,130 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire head of engineerings in California?
Employers hiring head of engineerings in California right now include HARVEY, BlackRock, and Snorkel AI, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's concentration of semiconductor, defense, and enterprise software companies means demand for this role is broadly distributed from the Bay Area down through Los Angeles and San Diego.
Which California cities have the most head of engineering jobs?
San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Redwood City account for the largest share of head of engineering openings in California. The Bay Area leads because of its dense concentration of technology headquarters and venture-backed companies, while Los Angeles hiring is driven by aerospace, defense, and entertainment technology firms, and San Diego's openings are anchored by telecommunications, biotech, and defense contractors like Qualcomm and Northrop Grumman.
Are there remote head of engineering jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most comparable leadership roles, because heads of engineering at software and platform companies can operate effectively across distributed teams. About 52% of head of engineering openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how many California technology employers have formalized flexible work policies. The most fully remote roles tend to sit at software-first or cloud infrastructure companies rather than hardware, semiconductor, or defense organizations where on-site presence is required.
How can I get hired as a head of engineering in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a senior software or systems engineering role at a mid-size California technology company and taking on informal team-lead or tech-lead responsibilities before pursuing a formal manager title. Large California employers like Salesforce, Intel, and Broadcom run internal engineering leadership development programs and regularly promote from senior individual contributor roles. Adjacent roles such as engineering program manager, principal engineer, or director of technical program management frequently serve as lateral moves into an engineering leadership seat, and a strong technical portfolio or open-source project history gives candidates without a formal management title a measurable edge.
Where can I find and apply to head of engineering jobs in California?
You can find and apply to head of engineering jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across technology, defense, clean energy, and other sectors. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 37 Head Of Engineering Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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