Software Engineering Manager Jobs in California
Software Engineering Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in enterprise software, cloud infrastructure, consumer technology, and defense-adjacent systems development across seniority levels from first-time manager through distinguished principal manager. The largest hiring metros are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where companies like Google, Apple, and Salesforce maintain major engineering operations. Most in-demand specialties include platform engineering leadership, machine learning infrastructure, and distributed systems management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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About Mainspring
Mainspring Energy manufactures and delivers fuel-flexible, low-emissions local power solutions that rapidly add new capacity and deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable electric power. The company began commercial shipments of its Mainspring Linear Generators in 2020 and today has hundreds of megawatts in advanced development and field operations for leading Fortune 500 companies, data centers, and utilities. Mainspring also partners with global energy leaders including AEP, NextEra Energy Resources, Schneider Electric, and more.
The core values that ground our work, guide our decisions, and connect us together:
- Pragmatic Optimism
- Excellence without Ego
- Proactive Collaboration
Job Overview
As a Senior Engineering Manager at Mainspring, you will lead a high-performing team in a fast-paced startup environment. You will act as a bridge between complex software ecosystems—including Cloud, Embedded, and Controls—and the physical world of mechanical and electrical engineering. This role is ideal for a leader who thrives on shifting priorities and is eager to immerse themselves in deep technical sessions with multi-disciplinary partners to build the future of the net-zero carbon grid.
Key Responsibilities
Cross-Functional Leadership: Lead the design and delivery of integrated software solutions, partnering closely with Cloud, Embedded, and Controls teams to ensure seamless system performance
Strong Execution Skills: Navigate a high-velocity environment by adjudicating technical trade-offs, driving project accountability, and maintaining focus to meet critical company milestones and product roadmaps
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Participate in deep-dive technical sessions with embedded and hardware engineering partners, fostering a culture of mutual learning and integrated design excellence
Team Development: Recruit, mentor, and scale an engineering team capable of solving complex problems in the IoT, Automotive, or Energy sectors
Operational Discipline: Champion scalable engineering workflows, drive bug triage, and manage validation planning to protect delivery timelines while maintaining high technical rigor
Strategic Planning & Alignment: Lead the planning and alignment of software roadmaps, ensuring they are synchronized with broader business objectives
Executive Communication: Provide regular, concise updates to executive leadership regarding project status, roadmap milestones, and technical risks
Qualifications
Technical Breadth: Strong foundation in Cloud architectures (AWS or GCP) and Embedded software, with the technical fluency to bridge these domains and effectively lead cross-functional architectural discussions
Team Leadership: Proven track record of building and leading high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams of full-stack engineers. You have successfully mentored and scaled teams that manage the entire device-to-cloud lifecycle, ensuring robust, scalable, and secure connectivity between edge devices and backend systems
Management at Scale: Experience managing multiple scrum teams, including distributed or hybrid workforces across multiple timezones, with a focus on fostering communication and alignment in a complex, multi-site environment
Industry Experience: Proven track record in the IoT, Automotive, or Energy/Utility industries, with a deep understanding of the unique challenges in these sectors
Startup Mentality: Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in fast-paced environments with shifting priorities and a focus on high-velocity delivery
Educational Background: Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field
Collaborative Mindset: A proactive desire to learn from and work with hardware disciplines (Mechanical/Electrical) to achieve holistic product goals
Does your experience not meet all of our posted requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to positions unless they meet every listed requirement. At Mainspring, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, flexible, and collaborative environment, so if you want to help us transition the world to clean and affordable electricity, and don’t meet all posted requirements for a particular role, we’d still love to hear from you. Mainspring can sometimes be flexible enough to shift responsibilities for the right person, or otherwise identify open or upcoming roles that may better fit your professional background.
In more traditional words, Mainspring Energy, Inc 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, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
This compensation and benefits information is based on Mainspring Energy's estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. We generally do not negotiate on salary once we have made an offer. The level of pay within the range will depend on a variety of job-related factors that may include location, relevant prior experience and/or education, or particular skills and expertise. New hires joining the company tend to be paid within the starting base pay range noted above, with opportunities to increase pay over time based on development of additional skills, competencies, and company-specific knowledge.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
About Mainspring
Mainspring Energy manufactures and delivers fuel-flexible, low-emissions local power solutions that rapidly add new capacity and deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable electric power. The company began commercial shipments of its Mainspring Linear Generators in 2020 and today has hundreds of megawatts in advanced development and field operations for leading Fortune 500 companies, data centers, and utilities. Mainspring also partners with global energy leaders including AEP, NextEra Energy Resources, Schneider Electric, and more.
The core values that ground our work, guide our decisions, and connect us together:
- Pragmatic Optimism
- Excellence without Ego
- Proactive Collaboration
Job Overview
As a Senior Engineering Manager at Mainspring, you will lead a high-performing team in a fast-paced startup environment. You will act as a bridge between complex software ecosystems—including Cloud, Embedded, and Controls—and the physical world of mechanical and electrical engineering. This role is ideal for a leader who thrives on shifting priorities and is eager to immerse themselves in deep technical sessions with multi-disciplinary partners to build the future of the net-zero carbon grid.
Key Responsibilities
Cross-Functional Leadership: Lead the design and delivery of integrated software solutions, partnering closely with Cloud, Embedded, and Controls teams to ensure seamless system performance
Strong Execution Skills: Navigate a high-velocity environment by adjudicating technical trade-offs, driving project accountability, and maintaining focus to meet critical company milestones and product roadmaps
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Participate in deep-dive technical sessions with embedded and hardware engineering partners, fostering a culture of mutual learning and integrated design excellence
Team Development: Recruit, mentor, and scale an engineering team capable of solving complex problems in the IoT, Automotive, or Energy sectors
Operational Discipline: Champion scalable engineering workflows, drive bug triage, and manage validation planning to protect delivery timelines while maintaining high technical rigor
Strategic Planning & Alignment: Lead the planning and alignment of software roadmaps, ensuring they are synchronized with broader business objectives
Executive Communication: Provide regular, concise updates to executive leadership regarding project status, roadmap milestones, and technical risks
Qualifications
Technical Breadth: Strong foundation in Cloud architectures (AWS or GCP) and Embedded software, with the technical fluency to bridge these domains and effectively lead cross-functional architectural discussions
Team Leadership: Proven track record of building and leading high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams of full-stack engineers. You have successfully mentored and scaled teams that manage the entire device-to-cloud lifecycle, ensuring robust, scalable, and secure connectivity between edge devices and backend systems
Management at Scale: Experience managing multiple scrum teams, including distributed or hybrid workforces across multiple timezones, with a focus on fostering communication and alignment in a complex, multi-site environment
Industry Experience: Proven track record in the IoT, Automotive, or Energy/Utility industries, with a deep understanding of the unique challenges in these sectors
Startup Mentality: Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in fast-paced environments with shifting priorities and a focus on high-velocity delivery
Educational Background: Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field
Collaborative Mindset: A proactive desire to learn from and work with hardware disciplines (Mechanical/Electrical) to achieve holistic product goals
Does your experience not meet all of our posted requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to positions unless they meet every listed requirement. At Mainspring, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, flexible, and collaborative environment, so if you want to help us transition the world to clean and affordable electricity, and don’t meet all posted requirements for a particular role, we’d still love to hear from you. Mainspring can sometimes be flexible enough to shift responsibilities for the right person, or otherwise identify open or upcoming roles that may better fit your professional background.
In more traditional words, Mainspring Energy, Inc 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, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
This compensation and benefits information is based on Mainspring Energy's estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. We generally do not negotiate on salary once we have made an offer. The level of pay within the range will depend on a variety of job-related factors that may include location, relevant prior experience and/or education, or particular skills and expertise. New hires joining the company tend to be paid within the starting base pay range noted above, with opportunities to increase pay over time based on development of additional skills, competencies, and company-specific knowledge.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
See All 399+ Software Engineering Manager Jobs in California
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Find JobsSoftware Engineering Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Software Engineering Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Apple51
- Google30
- Northrop Grumman17
- Tesla15
- NVIDIA11
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software62
- Electronics & Hardware39
- Banking & Financial Services22
- Manufacturing10
- Artificial Intelligence8
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in software engineering manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field
- At least five years of hands-on software engineering experience before moving into management
- Demonstrated experience directly managing software engineers or leading cross-functional technical teams
- Strong proficiency with modern software development practices including agile, CI/CD, and code review processes
- Experience driving engineering roadmaps in collaboration with product managers and senior leadership
- Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure in a production engineering environment
Software Engineering Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a software engineering manager in California?
Becoming a software engineering manager in California typically follows a path from individual contributor engineer to a tech lead or staff engineer role before stepping into management. California employers, especially in the Bay Area and Los Angeles, most commonly promote from within or recruit candidates who have led engineering projects or mentored junior engineers. No state-issued license is required, but a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or engineering, combined with a strong code and leadership record, is the standard baseline California hiring managers expect.
Which companies hire software engineering managers in California?
Employers hiring software engineering managers in California right now include Apple, Google, and Northrop Grumman, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's deep concentration of technology headquarters and research centers means the state consistently generates some of the highest volumes of these openings nationwide across both large enterprise employers and growth-stage companies.
Which California cities have the most software engineering manager jobs?
The California cities with the most software engineering manager openings are San Francisco, Sunnyvale, and Cupertino. The San Francisco Bay Area dominates the distribution because of its density of technology headquarters and venture-backed engineering teams, while Los Angeles draws openings through its expanding tech and entertainment-technology sector, and San Diego contributes through its defense technology and biotech software organizations.
Are there remote software engineering manager jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 38% of software engineering manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how central distributed engineering teams have become across the California technology industry. The parts of the role most likely to stay fully remote are those focused on roadmap planning, code review, and cross-team coordination, rather than roles that require regular on-site presence with hardware or lab environments.
How can I get hired as a software engineering manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a tech lead or engineering lead role first, which gives you people management exposure without requiring a formal manager title. Large California employers including Google, Meta, and Apple run structured rotational and associate programs that develop senior engineers into managers, and many mid-size Bay Area and Los Angeles companies promote strong individual contributors who proactively mentor peers. Building a portfolio of cross-functional projects, leading a meaningful open-source initiative, or completing a recognized leadership development program can strengthen a candidacy considerably in California's competitive market.
Where can I find and apply to software engineering manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to software engineering manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers actively hiring right now. Search for roles that match your experience level, location preference, and specialty area, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 399+ Software Engineering Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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