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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Whether you’re designing next-gen processors, enabling AI breakthroughs, or bringing leading edge products to market, every role at AMD contributes to something bigger — technology that moves the world forward. Join us and, together, we’ll advance your career.
This position requires deep expertise in GPU performance analysis, distributed systems, and ML workloads, along with the ability to influence architecture, software ecosystems, and best practices across the organization.
THE PERSON:
You are comfortable operating across layers—from kernels and runtimes to frameworks and distributed strategies—and have a track record of driving impactful optimizations and influencing technical direction.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead performance optimization of large-scale AI training/RL/inference workloads on AMD GPU platforms across single-node and multi-node environments.
- Identify and eliminate system bottlenecks across compute, memory, and communication (e.g., kernel efficiency, memory bandwidth, network utilization).
- Drive cross-stack optimizations spanning kernels, compilers, runtimes, communication libraries, and ML frameworks.
- Develop and apply advanced profiling, benchmarking, and performance modeling methodologies.
- Collaborate with hardware, compiler, and framework teams to influence next-generation GPU architecture and software stack design.
- Contribute to and lead open-source efforts to improve ecosystem performance on AMD platforms.
- Stay at the forefront of advancements in large-scale systems and performance optimization techniques.
- Deep expertise in GPU architecture and performance characteristics (compute units, memory hierarchy, interconnects such as PCIe/Infinity Fabric/RDMA).
- Strong experience with performance profiling tools (e.g., ROCm tools, Nsight-like systems, custom profilers) and bottleneck analysis.
- Proven experience optimizing large-scale distributed training workloads across thousands of GPUs.
- Experience with frameworks such as Megatron-LM, Torchtitan, vLLM, Sglang, or equivalent.
- Strong understanding of communication libraries and patterns (e.g., NCCL/RCCL, collective ops, overlap of compute and communication).
- Proficiency in Python and at least one systems language (C++/CUDA/HIP), including debugging and low-level optimization.
- Experience with compiler stacks, kernel optimization, or graph-level optimization is a strong plus.
- Demonstrated technical leadership and ability to influence cross-functional team
- Masters or PhD or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship
#LI-JG1
AMD does not accept unsolicited resumes from headhunters, recruitment agencies, or fee-based recruitment services. AMD and its subsidiaries are equal opportunity, inclusive employers and will consider all applicants without regard to age, ancestry, color, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, political and/or third-party affiliation, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants’ needs under the respective laws throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.
AMD may use Artificial Intelligence to help screen, assess or select applicants for this position. AMD’s “Responsible AI Policy” is available here.
This posting is for an existing vacancy.
Whether you’re designing next-gen processors, enabling AI breakthroughs, or bringing leading edge products to market, every role at AMD contributes to something bigger — technology that moves the world forward. Join us and, together, we’ll advance your career.
This position requires deep expertise in GPU performance analysis, distributed systems, and ML workloads, along with the ability to influence architecture, software ecosystems, and best practices across the organization.
THE PERSON:
You are comfortable operating across layers—from kernels and runtimes to frameworks and distributed strategies—and have a track record of driving impactful optimizations and influencing technical direction.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead performance optimization of large-scale AI training/RL/inference workloads on AMD GPU platforms across single-node and multi-node environments.
- Identify and eliminate system bottlenecks across compute, memory, and communication (e.g., kernel efficiency, memory bandwidth, network utilization).
- Drive cross-stack optimizations spanning kernels, compilers, runtimes, communication libraries, and ML frameworks.
- Develop and apply advanced profiling, benchmarking, and performance modeling methodologies.
- Collaborate with hardware, compiler, and framework teams to influence next-generation GPU architecture and software stack design.
- Contribute to and lead open-source efforts to improve ecosystem performance on AMD platforms.
- Stay at the forefront of advancements in large-scale systems and performance optimization techniques.
- Deep expertise in GPU architecture and performance characteristics (compute units, memory hierarchy, interconnects such as PCIe/Infinity Fabric/RDMA).
- Strong experience with performance profiling tools (e.g., ROCm tools, Nsight-like systems, custom profilers) and bottleneck analysis.
- Proven experience optimizing large-scale distributed training workloads across thousands of GPUs.
- Experience with frameworks such as Megatron-LM, Torchtitan, vLLM, Sglang, or equivalent.
- Strong understanding of communication libraries and patterns (e.g., NCCL/RCCL, collective ops, overlap of compute and communication).
- Proficiency in Python and at least one systems language (C++/CUDA/HIP), including debugging and low-level optimization.
- Experience with compiler stacks, kernel optimization, or graph-level optimization is a strong plus.
- Demonstrated technical leadership and ability to influence cross-functional team
- Masters or PhD or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship
#LI-JG1
AMD does not accept unsolicited resumes from headhunters, recruitment agencies, or fee-based recruitment services. AMD and its subsidiaries are equal opportunity, inclusive employers and will consider all applicants without regard to age, ancestry, color, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, political and/or third-party affiliation, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants’ needs under the respective laws throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.
AMD may use Artificial Intelligence to help screen, assess or select applicants for this position. AMD’s “Responsible AI Policy” is available here.
This posting is for an existing vacancy.
See All 419+ Software Development Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSoftware Development Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Software Development Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Amazon82
- Amazon Web Services50
- Apple38
- AMD28
- Fortinet28
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software55
- Cybersecurity13
- Retail11
- E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces11
- Electronics & Hardware7
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, Amazon Web Services, and Apple, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 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 Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, 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 47% of software development manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 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 419+ 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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