Software Development Manager Jobs in San Diego, CA
Software Development Manager jobs in San Diego are concentrated in Sorrento Valley, UTC, and Downtown, with strong demand across defense tech, biotech, and enterprise software. Employers hiring right now include Apple, Qualcomm, and Northrop Grumman. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 370+ Software Development Manager jobs
Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software EngineeringGeneral Summary:
This individual leads, plans, synthesizes ambiguous or conflicting requirements and performs the complex responsibility of the design, driver development, integration, test, debugging and validation of real time embedded software, embedded RTOS environment, embedded systems, embedded microcontroller firmware, communication protocols and platforms for wireless chipsets including features enabled by 3G, 4G, 5G, AI and/or other current and future technologies. Develops and debugs platforms in-addition to on target development. Identify, evaluate and implement tools and processes to continually improve the software development process. Provides support on customer issues and requirements to Software Application Engineers by providing input to project planning and timescales. Creates engineering documentation for intellectual property, prepares technical specifications and requirements. Acts as a strong contributor at design reviews and project meetings and communicates and implements a development plan.
Will accept a Master's Degree (or foreign academic equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related degree field and three (3) years of experience in a related occupation.
Pay Range: $137,042.00 - $202,200.00/year
Applicants : 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.
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:
This individual leads, plans, synthesizes ambiguous or conflicting requirements and performs the complex responsibility of the design, driver development, integration, test, debugging and validation of real time embedded software, embedded RTOS environment, embedded systems, embedded microcontroller firmware, communication protocols and platforms for wireless chipsets including features enabled by 3G, 4G, 5G, AI and/or other current and future technologies. Develops and debugs platforms in-addition to on target development. Identify, evaluate and implement tools and processes to continually improve the software development process. Provides support on customer issues and requirements to Software Application Engineers by providing input to project planning and timescales. Creates engineering documentation for intellectual property, prepares technical specifications and requirements. Acts as a strong contributor at design reviews and project meetings and communicates and implements a development plan.
Will accept a Master's Degree (or foreign academic equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related degree field and three (3) years of experience in a related occupation.
Pay Range: $137,042.00 - $202,200.00/year
Applicants : 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.
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers .
See All 370+ Software Development Manager Jobs in San Diego
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Find JobsSoftware Development Manager Job Market in San Diego
Who's Hiring
- Apple69
- Qualcomm46
- Northrop Grumman46
- Intuit23
- Axos Bank23
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software46
- Retail23
- Electronics & Hardware23
- Healthcare & Medical Services23
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals23
Software Development Manager Jobs in San Diego: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a software development manager job in San Diego?
San Diego's software development manager market is strongest in defense and government contracting, biotech software, and SaaS companies clustered in Sorrento Valley and the UTC corridor. Candidates who combine engineering leadership experience with domain knowledge in defense systems, life sciences platforms, or cloud infrastructure have a clear edge locally. Targeting mid-size technology firms and defense contractors in those districts, and building relationships through San Diego's active tech meetup community, accelerates the search significantly.
Which companies hire software development managers in San Diego?
Employers hiring software development managers in San Diego right now include Apple, Qualcomm, and Northrop Grumman, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. San Diego's hiring base skews toward defense contractors, biotech software divisions, and growth-stage SaaS companies rather than large consumer tech firms.
Are there remote software development manager jobs in San Diego?
Yes, though management roles that require coordinating on-site engineering teams are more likely to be in-person. About 40% of software development manager openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with remote options most common at SaaS and cloud-focused companies where the full team is distributed.
How can I get a software development manager job in San Diego with little or no experience?
The most realistic path in San Diego is moving from a senior software engineer role into a team lead or engineering lead position at a mid-size defense contractor or biotech software company, where internal promotion into management is common. Companies in Sorrento Valley and Kearny Mesa frequently grow managers from within rather than hiring externally at the manager level, making internal candidacy at a local employer the most direct route.
Which industries hire the most software development managers in San Diego?
San Diego software development manager roles concentrate in Technology & Software, Retail, and Electronics & Hardware, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. San Diego's proximity to major military installations and its large life sciences cluster drive sustained demand in defense technology and biotech software specifically.
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