Software Development Manager Jobs in California

Software Development Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in enterprise software, cloud infrastructure, fintech, and consumer technology across the full spectrum from team lead to VP of engineering. The heaviest hiring is in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where companies like Apple, Google, and Salesforce maintain large engineering organizations and consistently recruit at this level. Demand is strongest for managers with backgrounds in distributed systems, platform engineering, and AI or machine learning product development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles225+
Top employerAmazon
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring52
Work type79% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 225+ Software Development Manager jobs

Amazon.com
Software Development Manager
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Amazon.com
Added 2d ago
Software Development Manager
Amazon.com
Santa Clara, California
Software Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
Cloud & DevOps
Technical Program Management
DevOps
Cloud Engineering
$213k - $288k/yr
On-Site
None
10,000+

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Amazon.com
Software Development Manager
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Amazon.com
Added 5d ago
Software Development Manager
Amazon.com
Cupertino, California
Software Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
Project & Program Management
Technical Program Management
Project Management
$213k - $288k/yr
On-Site
None
10,000+

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Amazon.com
Software Development Manager
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Amazon.com
Added 6d ago
Software Development Manager
Amazon.com
East Palo Alto, California
Software Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
Cloud & DevOps
Project & Program Management
Technical Program Management
Cloud Engineering
Project Management
$213k - $288k/yr
On-Site
None
10,000+

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Amazon.com
Sr. Software Development Manager
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Amazon.com
Added 1w ago
Sr. Software Development Manager
Amazon.com
Hawthorne, California
Software Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
Project & Program Management
Product Management
Technical Program Management
Project Management
$220k - $298k/yr
On-Site
None
10,000+

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Amazon.com
Software Development Manager
We won't show you this job again
Amazon.com
Added 1w ago
Software Development Manager
Amazon.com
Sunnyvale, California
Software Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
Project & Program Management
Technical Program Management
Project Management
$213k - $288k/yr
On-Site
None
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

See All 225+ Software Development Manager Jobs in California

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Software Development Manager Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
30 jobs
Santa Clara
26 jobs
San Jose
24 jobs
Los Angeles
12 jobs
Culver City
10 jobs
Irvine
10 jobs
Mountain View
10 jobs
San Diego
10 jobs
Sunnyvale
10 jobs

Software Development Manager Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Amazon
    Amazon27
  • BKF Engineers
    BKF Engineers11
  • NVIDIA
    NVIDIA11
  • Adobe
    Adobe9
  • Michael Baker International
    Michael Baker International7

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software85
  • Consulting & Professional Services40
  • Electronics & Hardware24
  • Banking & Financial Services7
  • Retail7

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in software development manager jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related field required
  • Five or more years of software engineering experience with two or more years in a management role
  • Proven ability to lead full software development lifecycle from design through deployment and support
  • Experience managing cross-functional engineering teams in Agile or Scrum environments
  • Strong technical foundation in at least one major language such as Java, Python, or Go
  • Demonstrated experience recruiting, mentoring, and retaining engineering talent in competitive markets

Software Development Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a software development manager in California?

Most software development managers in California follow a path from individual contributor engineer to senior engineer to technical lead before stepping into management. California employers typically expect a bachelor's degree in computer science or software engineering, several years of hands-on development experience, and a demonstrated ability to guide technical decisions and mentor junior engineers. There is no state-issued license for this role, so building a leadership record within California's engineering-heavy industries is the primary credential.

Which companies hire software development managers in California?

Employers hiring software development managers in California right now include Amazon, BKF Engineers, and NVIDIA, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's density of enterprise software, semiconductor, and consumer technology companies means openings at this level appear across both legacy tech giants and fast-scaling startups throughout the state.

Which California cities have the most software development manager jobs?

The cities with the most software development manager openings in California are San Francisco, Santa Clara, and San Jose. The Bay Area dominates because it is home to the largest concentration of major technology headquarters in the country, while Los Angeles draws demand from entertainment technology, fintech, and aerospace software, and San Diego adds openings through its biotech and defense technology sectors.

Are there remote software development manager jobs in California?

Yes, and more than most fields. About 21% of software development manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how thoroughly desk-based and collaboration-tool-dependent this work has become. The portions of the role most likely to remain fully remote are individual team management, code review oversight, and sprint planning, while roles requiring hands-on data center work or embedded systems tend to require on-site presence.

How can I get hired as a software development manager in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is moving from a senior individual contributor role into an engineering team lead or staff engineer position at a California employer, then transitioning into formal management. Large California technology companies including Apple, Google, and Salesforce run internal rotational and early leadership programs that prepare senior engineers for management. Building a portfolio of cross-functional project ownership and mentorship within your current team is the credential that carries the most weight when making that transition.

Where can I find and apply to software development manager jobs in California?

You can find and apply to software development manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings at companies across the state. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly through the listings.

See All 225+ Software Development Manager Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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