Job Title: Manager, Software Engineering

Job Code: 12569

Job Location: Nashville, TN– (Responsibilities must be performed on-site.)

Job Schedule: 9/80 Work Schedule – (Every other Friday is a non-workday.)

Job Description:   

The Engineering Manager (EM), within a Program Area, is responsible for leading the technical efforts within one or several projects.  The EM works closely with the Program Manager (PM) on managing customer expectations, cost, schedule, and risk.  A Program may include multiple projects / IPTs or contracts. The EM is accountable and responsible for the technical program execution under their Program (cost, schedule, and technical solution).

The EM will ensure the team execution meets engineering processes and standards. The EM will closely monitor engineering efforts, track the progress of deliverables, and participate in the team’s Agile Scrum events. The EM will use metrics to identify early warning signs and provide support and course-correction appropriately, as well as adjudicate technical approach issues as needed. The EM will hire and develop talent.

The EM, in conjunction with the PM, ensures the program is appropriately staffed and manages a team of engineers and analysts that support a program/project. The EM assesses team performance continually to capture and recognize successes and provide timely feedback for continuous improvement. In addition, the EM identifies and closes skills, knowledge, and training gaps. Performance is measured by specific metrics and assessed both as a team and individually. The EM will conduct formal (at least) bi-annual performance reviews, as well as participate in program/project performance review events. The EM will develop growth plans and talent development plans, including succession and depth planning, to ensure the program/project team maintains stability.

The EM will provide technical expertise and ensure technical standards are met across functions. The EM will develop and work toward both functional and cross-functional goals by collaborating across the engineering organization. Through collaboration across the engineering organization, the EM will build knowledge and insight into other efforts and will share beneficial information with their development team. The EM will support the team in identifying, managing, and mitigating risks through the product lifecycle, and will work with the team on technical issues to find creative solutions.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Manage a team of engineers and analysts assigned to a program/project.
• Partner directly with Program Manager to support program execution including, cost, schedule, and technical performance (scope). Routine PM inputs include estimates on scope and schedule as well as provide the status of the team’s execution.
• Develop a strong understanding of the scope, schedule, and budget, and ensure on-target delivery of committed scope.
• Track program/project health using lifecycle tool chain (Digital.ai Agility, SpiraTest, Jama, and others)
• Track program / team cost performance using appropriate tools. For example, Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS).
• Review work products of cross-functional team and ensure high-quality standards are set and maintained across the team.
• Ensure technical standards for each role within the scrum team are met by reviewing work products and tracking overall team efforts (i.e., software development, testing, product ownership)
• Ensure program/project is appropriately staffed within budget constraints and ensure all team members are effectively onboarded and trained.
• Identify skills and knowledge gaps, develop training and development plans, and ensure team members have training and development opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with peers, stakeholders, leaders, and direct reports.
• Develop a high-performing team by aligning team efforts to business goals, setting, and holding to high performance standards, and engaging employees through coaching and mentoring and the development of a trusting environment.
• Provide regular formal and informal performance feedback to direct reports.
• Provide leadership to the team – lead through conflict and challenge, demonstrate strong decision-making skills, and develop trust across the team.

Job Qualification Requirements:  

Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 9 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience.

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance which requires U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in formal management role leading diverse groups of technical resources
• Understanding of the connection between team performance, scope, and program cost.
• Experience recruiting, sourcing, interviewing, and hiring high quality talent.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience working in an engineering role or on an engineering team, particularly on a software development team
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science or other relevant degree; or equivalent combination of education and work experience
• Advanced knowledge of relevant technologies and software development methodologies
• Strong understanding of software development and test principles, practices, and processes
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• In-depth knowledge of Agile process and principles supporting iterative design, development, and test
• Expert ability to use judgment and logic in decision-making considering relative costs and benefits of potential actions.
• Demonstrated ability to engage employees to promote a spirit of teamwork and cooperation within the team and organization.
• Ability to implement short- and long-term strategic engineering initiatives to ensure the organizational goals are met.
• Required to perform other appropriate duties as requested, directed, or assigned.
• Perform all job functions with a positive and professional attitude.

Preferred Skills (beyond required):

• Experience working with Department of Defense customers and solutions.
• Ability to understand complex problems, including details related to software engineering in an integrated system of systems environment.
• Formal Earned Value Management System (EVMS) training.
• Working knowledge of digital tools such as JAMA, Agility, Spira test tools, and Jira