Software Engineering Manager

As a Software Engineering Manager, you will lead the technical direction of software development efforts while supporting the professional growth of a small engineering team. You’ll collaborate with systems, hardware, integration, and program leadership to deliver reliable, high-performance software for sophisticated defense applications., Technical Leadership (Approximately 80%)

• Provide technical leadership throughout the software development lifecycle for complex defense applications.
• Design, develop, and enhance software using C, C++, Python, and/or C#.
• Guide modernization efforts involving legacy software while improving performance, maintainability, and long-term reliability.
• Collaborate with systems, hardware, integration, and program teams to ensure successful implementation of software solutions.
• Lead technical reviews, software architecture discussions, and engineering decision-making.
• Troubleshoot complex software challenges involving real-time, embedded, and mission-critical systems.
• Support software planning activities, including resource planning, Basis of Estimates (BOEs), Integrated Master Plans (IMP), and Integrated Master Schedules (IMS).
• Promote engineering best practices through code reviews, technical mentoring, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Functional Leadership (Approximately 20%)

• Coach, mentor, and develop software engineers while supporting career growth and technical excellence.
• Conduct performance reviews, establish development goals, and provide ongoing feedback.
• Assist with staffing, workload planning, recruiting, and team development.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing engineering culture.
• Support proposal efforts, software process improvements, and organizational initiatives.
• Communicate organizational priorities while ensuring consistent application of engineering processes and standards.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Active U.S. DoD Secret Security Clearance (or higher) with an investigation completed within the past five years.
• Eight (8) or more years of professional software development experience.
• Minimum of two (2) years providing technical leadership, team leadership, or engineering supervision.
• Strong hands-on programming experience using one or more of the following:
• C
• C++
• Python
• C#
• Experience developing software for defense, aerospace, embedded, simulation, or other real-time applications.
• Experience supporting software planning activities, including BOEs, IMPs, and IMS development.
• Strong understanding of Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, or hybrid software development methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers while remaining an active technical contributor.
• Ability to obtain required Special Access authorizations.
• U.S. Citizenship is required due to government contract requirements.
• Ability to support occasional travel and extended work schedules as program needs require.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with one or more of the following is highly desirable:

• Real-time software development
• Embedded systems
• Defense or aerospace software
• Legacy software modernization
• Multi-threaded applications
• Software architecture
• System integration and verification
• Technical proposal development

• Continue solving complex technical challenges while developing future engineering talent.
• Spend the majority of your time performing meaningful engineering work rather than administrative management.
• Work on advanced technologies supporting critical national defense programs.
• Competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and relocation assistance for qualified candidates.
• Excellent long-term technical and leadership career growth opportunities.

A leading U.S. defense technology organization is seeking a Software Engineering Manager to provide technical leadership for a team developing advanced real-time software solutions supporting critical defense programs. This role is ideal for an experienced software engineer who enjoys remaining deeply involved in technical work while mentoring and developing engineers. Unlike many engineering management positions, this opportunity is approximately 80% hands-on technical leadership and 20% people management, allowing you to continue designing, developing, and solving complex engineering challenges while helping build a high-performing team.