Software Engineering Manager - Industrial AI Platform; Hybrid - Tempe, AZ

Overview

Our client is a global SaaS company building industrial-grade AI platforms used by energy, manufacturing, and highly regulated enterprises to unlock operational data and automate complex workflows. This role sits at the center of a next-generation AI platform focused on agentic systems, LLMs, and real production automation - not experimentation.

This is a builder-leader role for someone who wants to shape both a platform and a team from the ground up as part of a growing Phoenix engineering hub.

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of 5-10 software engineers

• Drive delivery of production-grade SaaS services and applications

• Balance people leadership with hands-on technical contribution

• Establish and enforce engineering best practices: testing, observability, reliability, and security

• Own operational excellence including SLOs, on-call rotations, and incident response

• Partner with Product, Design, and Program Management to build the right product

• Translate real-world industrial problems into scalable software solutions

• Mentor engineers across levels and help them increase their impact

• 10+ years of professional software engineering experience

• 3+ years leading and managing software engineering teams

• Strong experience building and operating SaaS platforms in production

• Kubernetes experience in multi-cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP)

• Backend expertise in Python and familiarity with modern frontend stacks (Type Script / React)

• Solid understanding of full SDLC practices including CI/CD, testing, and operations

• Working knowledge of AI/ML systems, including LLM-based applications

• Excellent communication skills with both technical and non-technical stakeholders

• Experience building applications on top of AI/ML or LLM platforms

• Background in industrial, data-heavy, or regulated environments

• Prior experience scaling teams or platforms during rapid growth phases

• Passion for mentoring engineers and building strong engineering culture

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting.

The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company s 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer:
Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied.

Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products.

Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.

Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR at unavailable.

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is…