Staff Software Engineering Manager

We are seeking a Staff Software Engineering Manager. This person will be responsible for overseeing the software / firmware engineering department, as well as guiding the team in the design, development, and optimization of product code.

This role requires a strategic leader with a deep understanding of software and firmware engineering principles, exceptional project management skills, and the ability to collaborate across multiple disciplines to achieve company goals.

This role demands a balance of technical expertise, managerial acumen, and strategic vision.

The following information provides an overview of the skills, qualities, and qualifications needed for this role.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of senior and junior software / firmware engineers, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional growth.
• Manage performance, provide constructive feedback, and support career development for team members.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and training of new engineering staff.
• Develop and implement strategic plans for software and firmware engineering initiatives, aligning with overall company objectives and growth strategies.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements, technology adoption, and innovation to enhance software and firmware engineering capabilities and project outcomes.
• Provide technical guidance and support in the resolution of complex software and firmware engineering challenges and design issues.
• Review and approve software and firmware code (various languages including Java and Dart), calculations, and documentation to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
• Document and implement best practices in software and firmware engineering design and development.
• Champion Agile / Scrum methodologies to deliver functional code regularly, aligning with team objectives.
• Promote effective communication and teamwork within the software / firmware engineering department and across the organization.
• Support business development efforts by contributing software and firmware engineering knowledge to the writing of proposals, white papers, responding to RFIs, and participating in proposal reviews.
• Work closely with Program Managers to establish technical work breakdown structure for software and firmware engineering tasks on development programs.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for software and firmware engineering matters, both internally and with external stakeholders.
• Generate and present technical briefings to company staff and customers when requested.
• Contribute innovative ideas for product development and process improvement efforts.
• Perform other duties as necessary when directed to do so to support business needs.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• 15+ years of experience in a Firmware Engineering role, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, with at least 3-5 years in a managerial or leadership role.
• Strong technical background in Computer Engineering.
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex firmware and / or software engineering projects and leading high-performing teams in a high-tech or engineering-intensive environment.
• High proficiency in embedded systems programming, including experience with microcontrollers and microprocessors.
• Strong knowledge of programming languages such as C, C++, and assembly language.
• Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) and embedded Linux.
• Strong understanding of hardware-software integration, including experience with device drivers and low-level hardware interfaces (e.

g., SPI, I2C, UART, USB).

• Strong understanding of electronic components and ability to assist with component selection.
• Demonstrated experience with hardware debugging tools and techniques.
• Familiarity with SDLC methodologies, including Agile, Scrum, and Waterfall.
• Ability to manage and oversee firmware development from design to deployment.
• Proficiency in version control systems like Git or Perforce.
• Proficiency using JIRA.
• Experience with configuration management tools and practices.
• Expertise in designing, developing, and testing firmware for embedded systems.
• Expertise in system architecture, including memory management, interrupt handling, and task scheduling.
• Knowledge of firmware security practices, including secure boot, encryption, and vulnerability assessment.
• Understanding of cybersecurity principles relevant to embedded systems.
• Experience with various communication protocols such as TCP / IP, MQTT, CAN, and Bluetooth.
• Direct experience creating or modifying engineering development processes.
• Ability to lead highly technical engineers.
• Ability to mentor junior engineers.
• Ability to self-manage / self-direct projects and communicate with engineering staff regularly.
• Ability to work on multiple tasks concurrently with changing deadlines and priorities.
• Working knowledge of product development throughout the entire product lifecycle, including design reviews and test readiness reviews.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite (Microsoft 365, Teams).
• Proposal writing experience.
• Demonstrated leadership ability while working well in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communications skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Must be able to maintain composure in dealing with executives, customers, and staff, occasionally under conditions of urgency and in pressure situations.
• Motivated, self-directed and highly organized with strong problem solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to adapt to modern software and work methodologies.
• Regular on-site attendance is a necessary function of this position.
• Wilcox is a U.S. government defense contractor, and this position requires access to export-controlled technology. Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to access U.

S. government-controlled technology prior to beginning work.

Preferred :

• Master’s degree in computer engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Experience with military standards, specifically MIL-STD-461 and MIL-STD-810.
• Experience with US Department of Defense contracts and requirements.
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) strongly preferred.
• Limited working knowledge in both front-end and back-end development, including web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and back-end services (APIs, databases).
• Limited working knowledge of cross-platform programming languages such as Kotlin or Flutter.
• Experience in designing and / or implementing departmental change.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to work in an office environment and occasionally in an assembly area.
• Must be able to lift to 50 pounds.
• Ability to differentiate between colored wires, tabs, and electronic components.
• Must have ability to occasionally assemble products for demonstrations.

Compensation offered may vary depending upon job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Wilcox provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities

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