Manager, Software Development Engineering, CoCounsel FDE

Manager, Software Development Engineering – CoCounsel Forward Deployed Engineering

Shape the future of legal AI by leading a team of engineers embedded directly with customers to solve complex problems. As Manager, Software Development Engineering for CoCounsel Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE), you’ll provide technical leadership and people management for engineers in customer-facing initiatives, translating ambiguous real‑world problems into scalable AI/ML solutions.

• Lead and support multiple cross‑functional Forward Deployed Engineering project teams, ensuring efficient and effective execution while resolving issues as they arise.
• Architect and guide the design of scalable, secure AI/software solutions, applying deep knowledge of software and AI system architecture to complex, end‑to‑end AI/ML development across the software development lifecycle.
• Drive innovation by evaluating and adopting emerging AI methodologies, influencing enterprise‑wide MLOps and LLMOps practices, and setting strategy for testing, AI monitoring, and debugging at the platform level.
• Manage and develop talent through hiring, performance management, coaching, and mentoring of engineers, fostering a culture of technical growth and high performance.
• Translate business needs into AI solutions by communicating and coordinating with project teams, partners, and stakeholders, and by championing thought leadership that promotes reusable, consistent AI frameworks and patterns.
• Own technical delivery across multiple projects and products—including large‑scale AI/ML initiatives—by removing impediments, guiding project leads, and managing budgets where applicable.
• Build a customer‑aware, high‑performing team culture, ensuring close collaboration with Product, Project Management, and Technical Operations to deliver impactful, prioritized work.

• 10+ years in software or solutions engineering, with at least 2+ years of formal or informal people‑management or team‑lead experience, remaining technically hands‑on.
• Team leadership experience working with forward‑deployed, field, or solutions engineers, with direct accountability for hiring, performance management, career development, and team structure.
• Sustained customer‑facing experience – running discovery sessions, presenting architecture, defending technical decisions, and building trust with technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Track record of scoping, building, and demoing rapid POCs and pilots against ambiguous or evolving requirements, and turning learnings into repeatable patterns for the team.
• Strong Python development skills, hands‑on AWS expertise (Bedrock Agent Core, CDK, EKS, ECR), and ownership of CI/CD pipelines (Docker, SQL/Flyway migrations, deploy platforms).
• Direct ownership of building and deploying LLM‑powered agents (Anthropic Claude or similar) from requirements gathering through production hand‑off, including backend, frontend, guardrails/security design, evaluation frameworks, scorecard‑based quality testing, and production observability.
• Comfort operating at the intersection of Product, Engineering, Sales, and Customer Success, translating customer‑specific technical work into structured feedback that shapes the core CoCounsel product roadmap.
• Familiarity with the legal industry or legal tech (e.g., document review, contract lifecycle, legal research) is a strong plus given the domain‑specific nature of customer requirements.

• Hybrid work model: flexible schedule with 2–3 days a week in the office for office‑based roles.
• Work‑life balance: flexible work arrangements, work‑from‑anywhere for up to eight weeks per year, and supportive workplace policies.
• Career development and growth: continuous learning, skills‑first programs, and resources to grow, lead, and thrive in an AI‑enabled future.
• Industry‑competitive benefits: flexible vacation, two company‑wide mental health days off, Headspace app access, retirement savings, tuition reimbursement, employee incentive programs, and wellness resources.
• Culture: inclusive, award‑winning reputation for belonging, flexibility, and work‑life balance.
• Social impact: two paid volunteer days off…