What does a software engineering manager do?
A software engineering manager oversees the team involved in computer and software development. Typically, it is their responsibility to design and create software applications in collaboration with fellow skilled engineers in the group. Their duties revolve around devising strategies and designs, producing progress reports, monitoring the documentation processes, preparing presentations, and assessing workforce performance. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the engineering team to meet goals and standards while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Software engineering manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real software engineering manager resumes:
- Manage plan of record (POR) and executive governance meetings.
- Manage a horizontal team composes of senior system, middleware, and python engineers.
- Manage all reporting to PMO office and senior management for monthly project status reporting.
- Help write and review ISO procedures and are a key participant in INDUS achieving ISO certification.
- Introduce Jenkins to the lab to automate aws commands, and integrate automate testing into QA process.
- Manage 3rd party development contractors for an iphone app, android app, and embeddable flash widget.
- Develop a python base solution that would help customers to import/export the database tables and schema.
- Create technical architecture and documentation to clearly describe application, system, and database models to both functional and technical stakeholders.
- Negotiate with 2nd & 3rd tier vendor services for the $14M CRM Vantive project.
- Implement $14M CRM Vantive/Sybase project for multiple call centers (4) with 2,000 CSR's.
- Develop tools using shell, perl, and php.
- Develop and integrate SCSI drivers with OS file redirectors.
- SOAP is used to communicate between middle tier API and GUI.
- Create API test plans and functional test specifications base on collaboration effort.
- Improve staff impact by implementing governance processes to prioritize and measure development work.
Software engineering manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Software Engineering Managers are proficient in Java, Software Development, and Software Engineering. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Interpersonal skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Software Engineering Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Java, 17%
Managed local and remote groups of SQA engineers that were responsible for testing various java based technology compatibility
- Software Development, 7%
Project-managed software development of product beta release of a system integration framework that would allow disparate systems/environments to exchange text messages.
- Software Engineering, 7%
Ensured the proper software engineering/quality assurance with concomitant independent verification/validation.
- Emerging Technologies, 5%
Evaluated and selected emerging technologies for suitability and compatibility with the existing infrastructure.
- Cloud, 5%
Developed custom cloud based software that scheduled manufacturing process for laboratory furniture - resulted in improving production by 18%.
- Python, 4%
Produced Microcode for our Ethernet Switches using in-house Python based tools for Microcode generation.
Common skills that a software engineering manager uses to do their job include "java," "software development," and "software engineering." You can find details on the most important software engineering manager responsibilities below.
Creativity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a software engineering manager to have is creativity. Their role and responsibilities require that "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." Software engineering managers often use creativity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "embedded software, relational database development for inventory control systems in food processing plants. "
Interpersonal skills. Many software engineering manager duties rely on interpersonal skills. "software developers must be able to work well with others who contribute to designing, developing, and programming successful software.," so a software engineering manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways software engineering manager responsibilities rely on interpersonal skills: "core skills: exceptional interpersonal communication, program/product management. "
Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for software engineering managers to perform their duties. For an example of how software engineering manager responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a software engineering manager: "delivered solution with php, java, mysql and apache. ".
Detail oriented. For certain software engineering manager responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "detail oriented." The day-to-day duties of a software engineering manager rely on this skill, as "developers often work on many parts of an application or system at the same time and must therefore be able to concentrate and pay attention to detail." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what software engineering managers do: "developed a complete cad system prototype built using an object-oriented design and implemented in java. "
Analytical skills. Another common skill required for software engineering manager responsibilities is "analytical skills." This skill comes up in the duties of software engineering managers all the time, as "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." An excerpt from a real software engineering manager resume shows how this skill is central to what a software engineering manager does: "utilized java classes also performed data transformation and technical validation and functional consistency. "
Communication skills. Another skill commonly found on software engineering manager job descriptions is "communication skills." It can come up quite often in software engineering manager duties, since "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day software engineering manager responsibilities: "developed java test programs to automate test communications and navigation systems per interface requirements. "
The three companies that hire the most software engineering managers are:
- Capital One3,693 software engineering managers jobs
- Meta474 software engineering managers jobs
- Applied Materials391 software engineering managers jobs
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Compare different software engineering managers
Software engineering manager vs. Director of software development
A director of software development is primarily in charge of overseeing the workflow and the workforce involved in the entire software development process. Their responsibilities also include creating strategies for optimal performance, coordinating with different teams and departments to identify strengths and weaknesses, implementing training and workshop programs, and liaising with external agencies, including key clients. Furthermore, as a director, it is essential to lead and encourage the team to reach new heights.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a software engineering manager are more likely to require skills like "career development," "database," "digital transformation," and "software design." On the other hand, a job as a director of software development requires skills like "infrastructure," "aws," "continuous integration," and "devops." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Directors of software development earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $163,503. On the other hand, software engineering managers are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $153,920.The education levels that directors of software development earn slightly differ from software engineering managers. In particular, directors of software development are 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a software engineering manager. Additionally, they're 1.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Software engineering manager vs. Software architect
A Software Architect develops new programs for a variety of technological devices for businesses, computer games, mobile networks, and/or operating systems. They ensure architectural integrity and consistency across the entire product and work closely with executives to explain the benefits of the software.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that software engineering manager responsibilities requires skills like "software engineering," "c #," "project management," and "career development." But a software architect might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "architecture," "aws," "design patterns," and "git."
Software architects earn a lower average salary than software engineering managers. But software architects earn the highest pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $119,142. Additionally, software engineering managers earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $153,920 annually.software architects earn higher levels of education than software engineering managers in general. They're 5.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Software engineering manager vs. Software analyst
A software analyst is responsible for creating and designing software programs and applications, as well as modifying existing ones for optimization according to business requirements. Software analysts work with the technical team to draw system codes, analyze programming languages, and ensure the stability and efficiency of software navigation by running multiple quality checks to the system. They inspect the application's performance, configure servers, and improve software infrastructure according to quality findings. A software analyst records resolution reports and provides progress updates, ensuring that the project adheres to budget limitations and set timetables.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from software engineering manager resumes include skills like "software engineering," "c #," "emerging technologies," and "cloud," whereas a software analyst is more likely to list skills in "troubleshoot," "test data," "test cases," and "business process. "
Software analysts earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $86,986. Software engineering managers earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $153,920.Most software analysts achieve a lower degree level compared to software engineering managers. For example, they're 6.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Software engineering manager vs. Software developer
A software developer is responsible for designing application systems to support the user and business' needs. Duties of a software developer include testing software codes, performing diagnostic programs and troubleshooting, interpreting system data and establishing efficient parameters, and ensuring the compatibility of the systems. A software developer must have an excellent knowledge of computer programs and programming languages to understand its complexities, especially on detecting system defects and malfunctions. A software developer must have strong attention to detail, communication, and decision-making skills to coordinate with the team and also work independently under minimal supervision.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between software engineering managers and software developers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a software engineering manager might have more use for skills like "software engineering," "c #," "cloud," and "project management." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of software developers require skills like "git," "c # .net," "version control," and "application development. "
Software developers enjoy the best pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $96,138. For comparison, software engineering managers earn the highest salary in the technology industry.software developers reach similar levels of education compared to software engineering managers, in general. The difference is that they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of software engineering manager
Updated January 8, 2025
