Lead Software Manager

Job Description
See what you're missing. Our employees work on the world's most advanced software and electronics - from developing world-class autonomous mission management capabilities to advanced data analytics to support the warfighters and the intelligence community. Spanning air, land, sea, and space, we are developing the technology of tomorrow, delivered today. Drawing strength from our differences, we're innovating for the future. And you can, too.
Our flexible work environment provides you a chance to change the world without giving up your personal life. We put our customers first -exemplified by our mission: "We Protect Those Who Protect Us®." Sound like a team you want to be a part of? Come build your career with BAE Systems.
Our engineers are the lifeblood of our company and we're more than 5,000 strong. With our robust offering of educational and career development opportunities, your chances to grow are limitless.
The Digital Architecture Team (DAT) is seeking a highly experienced Software Engineering Leadership Manager to provide strategic direction and operational stability for our rapidly growing team. In this critical role, you will lead and mentor our Software Engineering Managers, ensuring consistent execution, robust staffing, and the implementation of standardized processes across the DAT. You will be instrumental in building a sustainable and scalable foundation for the future of our digital capabilities.
The DAT's core asset is data. Engineering and Operations generate a significant volume and diverse range of data, and your leadership will be pivotal in ensuring its effective management throughout its lifecycle. This includes evolving data schemas, establishing automated data governance practices, overseeing database deployment and administration, and actively engaging with stakeholders to understand and address their data needs. Our systems encompass both cutting-edge cloud-based solutions and established Windows-based infrastructure.
The DAT has successfully built a highly scalable containerized gRPC microservices platform and modern web applications. This role will focus on establishing the long-term health and efficiency of the team responsible for collecting, aggregating, and delivering this vital data to our end customers, ensuring our architecture remains robust and adaptable for future growth.
Key Responsibilities will include:

• Leadership & Mentorship: Provide direct management, coaching, and mentorship to a team of Software Engineering Managers. Foster a positive, collaborative, and high-performing team environment.
• Strategic Alignment: Translate broader organizational goals into actionable plans for the DAT, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives.
• Process Standardization: Drive the adoption of consistent software engineering practices, tools, and methodologies across all DAT teams. Focus on improving efficiency, quality, and maintainability.
• Staffing & Resource Management: Oversee team staffing, capacity planning, and resource allocation to meet current and future project demands.
• Data Governance & Quality: Champion the implementation of robust data governance policies and procedures to ensure data integrity, security, and compliance.
• Cross-Team Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with other engineering teams, product management, and stakeholders to ensure seamless integration and delivery of data solutions.
• Technical Oversight: While not directly coding, maintain a strong understanding of the team's technical challenges and provide guidance on architectural decisions.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills
Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• Leadership Experience: 8+ years of progressive experience in software development, with a minimum of 3+ years in a formal leadership role (Engineering Manager, Technical Lead, or equivalent) directly managing data engineering and software development teams. Demonstrated success in building, mentoring, and scaling high-performing engineering teams is essential.
• Data Engineering & Software Development Expertise: A strong technical foundation in data engineering principles and software development practices. This includes a thorough understanding of data pipelines, database technologies, data governance, and the software development lifecycle.
• Strategic Thinking & Execution: Proven ability to translate business requirements into actionable technical strategies and drive successful execution. Experience defining and implementing standards and best practices across multiple teams.
• Communication & Collaboration: Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills. Ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences, and to build strong working relationships with cross-functional teams.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to navigate complex technical and business challenges and make sound, data-driven decisions.
• Modern Technology Stack: Hands-on experience with and understanding of:
  
  • Containerization (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes)
  • Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines
  • Python, C#, and Protobuf/gRPC.
  • SQLAlchemy, Postgres, PgAdmin and Postgres extensions
• Data Lifecycle Management: Demonstrated experience in governing data throughout its lifecycle, including data planning, schema design, implementation, security, quality control, and the responsible retirement of legacy solutions.
• Customer Focus: Expert ability in leading software projects with a primary focus on optimizing the data flow and delivering value to the end customer.
• Clearance: Must have a Security Clearance (active within the last two years) or must be eligible to obtain a US Government Secret Clearance.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• People Leadership & Development: Demonstrated ability to build, mentor, and motivate high-performing engineering teams. A track record of fostering a collaborative and inclusive team environment where engineers can thrive.
• Executive Communication & Stakeholder Management: Excellent communication skills, including the ability to clearly and concisely convey complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leadership and external stakeholders. Experience presenting to and influencing executive decision-making.
• Strategic Decision-Making & Prioritization: Proven ability to make difficult decisions, prioritize competing priorities, and drive progress in a fast-paced environment. A demonstrated commitment to balancing speed of execution with the long-term health and well-being of the team.
• Resourcefulness & Problem Solving: Ability to proactively identify and address potential roadblocks, anticipate challenges, and develop creative solutions. Experience navigating ambiguous situations and driving clarity.
• Hiring & Talent Acquisition: Experience with full-cycle recruiting, including sourcing, interviewing, and onboarding top engineering talent. A commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workforce.
• Process Improvement & Standardization: Experience leading initiatives to improve engineering processes, workflows, and standards. A focus on driving consistency and efficiency across multiple teams.
• Risk Management & Mitigation: Ability to identify and assess potential risks to project delivery and team morale, and to develop and implement effective mitigation strategies.
• Modern Technology Awareness: While deep technical expertise isn't required, a general understanding of modern cloud technologies (Kubernetes, Docker, etc.) and data engineering principles is beneficial.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $149603 - $254317
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems Electronic Systems
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference. Electronic Systems (ES) is the global innovator behind BAE Systems' game-changing defense and commercial electronics. Exploiting every electron, we push the limits of what is possible, giving our customers the edge and our employees opportunities to change the world. Our products and capabilities can be found everywhere - from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space. At our core are more than 14,000 highly talented Electronic Systems employees with the brightest minds in the industry, we make an impact - for our customers and the communities we serve.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.