Software Engineering Manager

Columbia, MD (HQ) – Columbia, MD 21046, USA

We develop mission‑critical aerospace systems that combine software, networking, communications, and operational workflows into integrated mission capabilities. We are seeking a Software Engineering Manager to lead the technical execution and strategic direction of our software and network engineering efforts.

This role combines engineering leadership, technical oversight, and organizational coordination. You will lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for software and network system development across the full program lifecycle—from requirements definition through integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment.

The ideal candidate brings a strong engineering foundation, sound technical judgment, and the ability to align engineering execution with program priorities and long‑term business strategy. This role requires someone who can lead both technically and organizationally: driving architecture decisions, managing engineering execution, and ensuring teams deliver high‑quality systems on schedule.

You will work closely with program management, systems engineering, test engineering, and business development to ensure successful delivery of reliable, scalable, and mission‑ready solutions.

What You’ll Do:

• Provide technical leadership and vision for software architecture, network designs, interface definitions, and integrated system solutions across multiple programs
• Lead and manage software and network engineering resources, including project planning, staffing, prioritization, execution tracking, and technical coordination
• Develop project estimates, resource plans, schedules, and progress reporting to support program execution and organizational planning
• Support program execution through cost, schedule, technical, and risk oversight
• Prepare and present technical materials for major program reviews, including Preliminary Design Reviews (PDRs) and Critical Design Reviews (CDRs)
• Collaborate with Test Engineering leadership to ensure software verification and validation activities meet program requirements
• Oversee the integration, testing, analysis, and documentation of software and network systems
• Serve as a technical interface to customers for software and network‑related program activities, including verification and validation discussions
• Analyze existing systems and recommend improvements, enhancements, and modernization strategies
• Drive research and development initiatives that support long‑term technical and business objectives
• Support business development efforts through technical planning, customer engagement, proposal support, and solution development
• Build relationships with external partners, suppliers, and technology providers to strengthen strategic capabilities

What We’re Looking For:

You are an experienced engineering leader with a strong technical background and the ability to lead complex engineering efforts from concept through delivery.

You have deep experience in software engineering and software architecture and can guide teams in developing scalable, maintainable, and reliable systems for real‑world operational environments.

You are comfortable balancing technical leadership with project execution responsibilities, including planning, estimation, staffing, prioritization, progress tracking, and customer communication.

You can operate effectively at both strategic and tactical levels—helping define long‑term technical direction while ensuring day‑to‑day engineering execution remains on track.

You communicate effectively with engineers, program leadership, customers, and external partners and can clearly present complex technical concepts during program reviews and customer engagements.

A strong engineering background is required. Additional experience or education in electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, or related technical disciplines is highly valued.

You value engineering rigor, accountability, and collaboration and can help teams deliver reliable systems under real‑world operational constraints.

You can write and review software and are comfortable engaging directly in technical discussions with engineering teams.

Education &…