Salary : $76,980.80 - $122,990.40 Annually
Location : Des Moines - 50319 - Polk County, IA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-03339
Agency: 444 Judicial
Opening Date: 06/09/2026
Closing Date: 6/23/2026 11:59 PM Central
LinkedIn Tag: #LI-DNP
Point of Contact:
To Apply: Candidates need to complete the NEOGOV application and attach a cover letter and resume. Final applicants are subjected to a criminal background check. The Iowa Judicial Branch is an E-Verify employer.

Job Description
Reporting to the Deputy Director of IT - Enterprise Architecture, this position provides both technical and organizational leadership across software engineering, Quality Assurance (QA), and application support. The manager is directly accountable for system reliability, engineering quality, and delivery outcomes, while ensuring all work aligns with enterprise architecture standards and long-term system sustainability.

This is a hands-on leadership role focused on:

• Building strong internal engineering leadership across development, QA, and support.
• Balancing business-as-usual (BAU) operations with structured product delivery and modernization.
• Advancing long-term sustainability through architecture alignment, documentation, and disciplined engineering practices.
• Creating clarity and control in work intake, prioritization, and delivery execution.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering & Technical Leadership. Lead integrated teams across development, QA, and application support. Stay hands-on through system design, architectural decisions, code reviews, and resolution of complex production issues, while driving technical choices that reduce technical debt and improve maintainability. Lead vendor selection and evaluation processes for software solutions.

Delivery & Quality Engineering. Oversee the full SDLC for business-critical applications. Implement CI/CD and automation, strengthen testing to reduce defect escape rates, and ensure reliability, performance, and accessibility standards are consistently met.

Work Intake & Prioritization. Establish structured intake and prioritization processes aligned with organizational goals, reducing unplanned work and bringing consistency to how work is sequenced.

Operational Balance & Capacity. Develop and maintain a capacity model that balances BAU support, enhancements, and strategic initiatives, providing transparency into workload, constraints, and delivery timelines.

Documentation & Knowledge Management. Ensure systems carry complete, current technical documentation and runbooks, reducing knowledge silos and supporting audit readiness and long-term supportability.

Team Leadership & Capability Building. Align staffing and skills to demand, build internal engineering capability, and provide coaching, mentoring, and performance management that foster accountability and continuous improvement.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Location: Des Moines, IA with possibility of hybrid remote after six months

What's in it for you:

• Collaborative, positive professional work environment
• Opportunities to make a widespread difference in the Iowa communities
• Excellent benefits package
• Paid Holidays/Vacation/Sick Leave
• Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS) plan
• Employee discount program
• Employment with the Iowa Judicial Branch may qualify for the federal student loan repayment program.

The pay range for this position is $76,980.80 to $122,990.40 annually. This is an FLSA exempt position. The starting salary for new state employees is expected to be at the base of the pay range. Adjustments may be made if the successful candidate has relevant experience.

Position classification is determined as the 'best fit' of the duties assigned to and performed by a position. This position is classified as a Business Systems Analyst as summarized below.

Summary

Responsible for supervising, implementing, and maintaining the Iowa Judicial Branch's computing needs, operations, systems, and infrastructure.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise and evaluate the work of subordinates; enforce personnel policies and procedures such as training and coaching employees; manage work schedules, time-offs, leaves; conduct performance evaluations; and follow disciplinary and grievance procedures.
• Manage the development, delivery, and support of Information Technology (IT) systems and services.
• Oversee the daily operations, analyze workflow, establish priorities, and develop standards and deadlines.
• Allocate and manage IT resources efficiently, to include ensuring staff obtain and maintain training or certifications for evolving technologies.
• Develop new network troubleshooting strategies to help reduce downtime and decrease maintenance costs.
• Participate in and implement operational and strategic plans.
• Assess the growth needs and maintenance of the Iowa Judicial Branch's network.
• Develop business case justification and cost-benefit analysis for IT initiatives.
• Manage monitoring, maintenance, development, upgrade, and support of IT systems.
• Address disruptions from natural disasters to cyber threats.
• Focus on digital service user experience, content design, and product strategy.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of IT best practices, policies, and regulations.
• Knowledge of current network hardware, protocols, and standards.
• Knowledge of the operation and analysis of database hardware, software, and standards, as well as data retrieval methods.
• Knowledge of programming, computer science, and digital security.
• Attention to detail.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Reliable transportation and the ability to travel.

Minimum Qualification Requirements
The incumbent must meet the minimum requirements to qualify for the position.

1. Associate's degree in information technology, computer science or a closely related field.
2. Professional certification in an industry-recognized Information Technology field.
3. Five (5) years of full-time professional experience in computer science or information technology.

Supervisory experience is preferred.

Experience may be substituted with related education on the basis that successful completion of thirty (30) semester hours or academic equivalent equals one year of experience.

A completed IJB LinkedIn Learning Leadership and Professional Development Certificate is equivalent to six months of education or experience for supervisory-level positions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in software engineering, system development, or technical leadership.
• Experience in enterprise or government environments.
• Experience balancing BAU and project work.
• Strong understanding of software delivery, system architecture, and application support.
• Familiarity with CI/CD, automated testing, and modern engineering practices.

01

Do you understand that the answers to all of the following questions must be truthful, honest, and accurate to the best of your ability? Please read all questions and answers thoroughly and make sure you understand them completely. Ensure the answers to your questions match the information filled out on your application and the attachments you have uploaded. Knowingly misrepresenting the facts when submitting any information related to an application, examination, certification, appeal, or any other facet of the selection process will result in your disqualification from this application and future employment with the Iowa Judicial Branch.

• Yes
• No

02

PLEASE READ CAREFULLYHave you filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. S611 et seq?

• Yes
• No

03

Please explain any gaps in your employment history?
04

Have you ever received a disciplinary suspension, been asked to resign, or discharged from a job? If yes please explain below.
05

What is your minimum salary requirement?
06

Your application for employment with the Iowa Judicial Branch will generally be treated as confidential under Iowa Code section 22.7(18). However, if you consent to allow Judicial to treat it as a public record per Iowa Code section 22.7(18)(a), please check "Yes, I consent" below.

• Yes, I consent
• No

07

List any professional licenses you hold:
08

Current Iowa Judicial Branch Employees ONLY: Have you completed the Iowa Judicial Branch LinkedIn Learning Leadership and Professional Development Certification?

• Yes
• No
• Not Applicable

09

Applicants with international degrees: Have you attached an international education equivalency verification document? We highly recommend for further consideration.

• I have attached an international education equivalency verification document
• I have not attached an international education equivalency verification document
• Not Applicable

Required Question