Technical Operations Manager Jobs in California
Technical Operations Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand concentrated in technology, aerospace, semiconductor manufacturing, and logistics across experience levels from associate manager through senior director. The largest hiring metros are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where established employers like Northrop Grumman, Salesforce, and Kaiser Permanente consistently maintain technical operations teams. The most sought-after specializations in California include cloud and infrastructure operations, supply chain systems management, and regulated manufacturing environments. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 88+ Technical Operations Manager jobs
INTRODUCTION
We are seeking a hands-on, execution-focused Sr. Technical Operations Manager to lead our contract manufacturer and sub-supplier operations, New Product Introduction (NPI), manufacturing engineering, and manufacturing test engineering for LiDAR products. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence across a multi-site supplier network while ensuring readiness for builds, launches, and volume production. The ideal candidate will partner closely with engineering and supply chain teams to support engineering builds, product launches, and scalable manufacturing, while improving quality, yield, and supplier performance.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead contract manufacturers and sub-suppliers to deliver high-quality products on schedule and at scale.
- Partner with the Global Supply Management team on supplier selection, onboarding, and ramp-up activities.
- Own manufacturing technical deliverables, including manufacturing test, manufacturing engineering, and quality readiness.
- Troubleshoot production issues, lead root cause analysis, and drive corrective and preventive actions.
- Collaborate with EMS partners and cross-functional teams including systems, hardware, software, reliability, and supply chain to support product launches and ongoing production.
- Drive yield improvement, test robustness, and continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations.
- Define, implement, and manage the operational NPI process.
- Develop and maintain the quality management system for manufacturing operations.
- Ensure manufacturing partners maintain required certifications and compliance standards.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, industrialization, or a related field; MBA, or equivalent relevant experience.
- 8+ years of experience in manufacturing, production operations, or technical operations.
- Hands-on experience managing multiple contract manufacturers across Asia, North America, and/or Europe.
- Working knowledge of electro-optical systems.
- Experience using data analysis and statistical methods to improve yield, reliability, and process performance.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Willingness to support builds and troubleshooting at partner sites as needed.
- Ability to lift or move up to 50 lbs.
- Position is on site in Pleasanton, CA.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with electronics, LiDAR systems, or optical sensing technologies.
- Exposure to automotive manufacturing or other high-reliability products.
- Working knowledge of electrical manufacturing processes (including FCT test and SMT) and mechanical manufacturing processes (including tooling and machining).
- Understanding of IOS standards and certification.
COMPENSATION
- Base Annual Salary Range: $185K-225K
INTRODUCTION
We are seeking a hands-on, execution-focused Sr. Technical Operations Manager to lead our contract manufacturer and sub-supplier operations, New Product Introduction (NPI), manufacturing engineering, and manufacturing test engineering for LiDAR products. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence across a multi-site supplier network while ensuring readiness for builds, launches, and volume production. The ideal candidate will partner closely with engineering and supply chain teams to support engineering builds, product launches, and scalable manufacturing, while improving quality, yield, and supplier performance.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead contract manufacturers and sub-suppliers to deliver high-quality products on schedule and at scale.
- Partner with the Global Supply Management team on supplier selection, onboarding, and ramp-up activities.
- Own manufacturing technical deliverables, including manufacturing test, manufacturing engineering, and quality readiness.
- Troubleshoot production issues, lead root cause analysis, and drive corrective and preventive actions.
- Collaborate with EMS partners and cross-functional teams including systems, hardware, software, reliability, and supply chain to support product launches and ongoing production.
- Drive yield improvement, test robustness, and continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations.
- Define, implement, and manage the operational NPI process.
- Develop and maintain the quality management system for manufacturing operations.
- Ensure manufacturing partners maintain required certifications and compliance standards.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, industrialization, or a related field; MBA, or equivalent relevant experience.
- 8+ years of experience in manufacturing, production operations, or technical operations.
- Hands-on experience managing multiple contract manufacturers across Asia, North America, and/or Europe.
- Working knowledge of electro-optical systems.
- Experience using data analysis and statistical methods to improve yield, reliability, and process performance.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Willingness to support builds and troubleshooting at partner sites as needed.
- Ability to lift or move up to 50 lbs.
- Position is on site in Pleasanton, CA.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with electronics, LiDAR systems, or optical sensing technologies.
- Exposure to automotive manufacturing or other high-reliability products.
- Working knowledge of electrical manufacturing processes (including FCT test and SMT) and mechanical manufacturing processes (including tooling and machining).
- Understanding of IOS standards and certification.
COMPENSATION
- Base Annual Salary Range: $185K-225K
See All 88 Technical Operations Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsTechnical Operations Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Technical Operations Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Apple6
- NVIDIA5
- Zoox5
- AEVA3
- Lambda3
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software44
- Electronics & Hardware12
- Artificial Intelligence8
- Automotive6
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals6
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in technical operations manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, information technology, or a related technical field
- Five or more years of experience in technical operations or engineering management roles
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams in a California technology or manufacturing environment
- Proficiency with ITIL frameworks, ERP systems, or lean manufacturing methodologies
- Familiarity with California environmental health and safety regulations affecting operations sites
- Strong analytical and project management skills, often evidenced by PMP or Six Sigma certification
Technical Operations Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a technical operations manager in California?
Most technical operations managers in California follow a path that begins with a bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or operations management, then builds several years of hands-on technical or engineering experience before moving into a management role. California employers in regulated sectors such as aerospace, medical devices, and utilities often expect familiarity with California-specific compliance standards. Advancing from a senior engineer or operations analyst role into a team lead position is the most common stepping stone.
How much do technical operations managers make in California?
Technical operations managers in California earn a median of about $218,290 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $129,970 for the lowest 10% to over $325,970 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire technical operations managers in California?
Employers hiring technical operations managers in California right now include Apple, NVIDIA, and Zoox, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of technology headquarters, defense contractors, and large health systems means demand for this role is spread across multiple industries rather than a single sector.
Which California cities have the most technical operations manager jobs?
San Francisco, San Jose, and Mountain View account for the most technical operations manager openings in California. The Bay Area's density of technology and semiconductor companies drives the largest share of postings, while Los Angeles draws demand from aerospace, entertainment technology, and logistics firms, and San Diego's biotech and defense clusters consistently add to the count.
Are there remote technical operations manager jobs in California?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based roles because technical operations management often requires on-site oversight of infrastructure, facilities, or production environments. About 17% of technical operations manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026. The portions of the role most frequently offered remotely involve vendor coordination, metrics reporting, and strategic planning responsibilities.
How can I get hired as a technical operations manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into the role from an adjacent position such as operations analyst, IT systems administrator, or production supervisor, where you already oversee processes or small teams. Large California employers in tech and healthcare, including major Bay Area companies and health systems like Kaiser Permanente, run associate manager and rotational operations programs that accept candidates with limited direct management experience. Earning a PMP certification or completing a Six Sigma Green Belt course strengthens an application considerably in California's competitive market.
Where can I find and apply to technical operations manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to technical operations manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings by city or specialty to narrow results to roles that match your background, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 88 Technical Operations Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs