General Motors

Senior Software Engineering Manager, Software Applications

General Motors$150K — $180K *
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience
  • 10+ years in software engineering with significant application development experience
  • 5+ years of technical leadership experience managing engineering teams
  • Hands-on expertise in software design, coding, debugging, and problem solving
  • Experience modernizing legacy systems while maintaining business-critical applications
  • Solid understanding of distributed systems, APIs, and enterprise architecture
  • Capability to navigate ambiguity and align technical and business objectives

Responsibilities

  • Lead engineering teams in designing, building, and modernizing software applications
  • Own the technical direction for a diverse portfolio of applications and systems
  • Collaborate with cross-functional leaders to develop scalable engineering solutions
  • Drive strategies for modernization of legacy systems and reduce technical debt
  • Act as the technical authority, making architecture decisions and ensuring engineering quality
  • Participate in hands-on technical tasks such as code reviews and debugging when necessary
  • Establish and uphold high standards in software engineering practices and culture

Benefits

  • Hybrid work model with required in-office presence at least 3 times a week
  • Potential relocation benefits
  • Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning
  • Culture promoting technical excellence and accountability
  • Participation in incident response management for critical issues
Full Job Description

Job Description

The Role

We are seeking a Senior Software Engineering Manager to lead the engineering strategy, delivery, and technical execution of software applications across a diverse portfolio of business-critical platforms, products, integrations, and modernization initiatives.


This is a hands-on engineering leadership role. The successful candidate must bring the same technical depth, engineering judgment, and delivery credibility expected of a Principal Software Engineer, while also leading teams, growing talent, and driving execution across a complex application portfolio. This role is not intended for an architect-only or people-only leader. The right candidate is expected to stay close to the code, lead technical design, perform code reviews, solve complex engineering problems, and coach engineers through direct technical engagement and example.

What You Will Do

  • Lead multiple engineering teams responsible for the design, build, modernization, integration, and support of software applications
  • Own technical direction across a portfolio that includes modern platforms, business-critical applications, integrations, APIs, and legacy systems
  • Partner with product, business, architecture, operations, and delivery leaders to translate business needs into scalable engineering solutions
  • Drive modernization strategies for legacy applications, including decomposition, platform evolution, integration simplification, and reduction of technical debt
  • Act as the senior technical leader for the organization by making sound architecture decisions, reviewing designs, and setting a high bar for engineering quality
  • Contribute directly when needed through design reviews, debugging, code reviews, solution modeling, technical spike work, and hands-on problem solving
  • Establish and enforce strong software engineering practices including testing, observability, CI/CD, version control discipline, secure coding, and operational readiness
  • Build strong engineering teams by hiring, coaching, mentoring, and developing software engineers and technical leaders
  • Create a culture of accountability, technical excellence, continuous learning, and customer-focused delivery
  • Lead incident response and escalation management for critical production issues, ensuring fast resolution and durable corrective action
  • Manage delivery across multiple workstreams with clear prioritization, measurable outcomes, and transparent communication to stakeholders

What Makes This Role Different

  • This leader is expected to operate with principal-level engineering capability, not simply manage engineers
  • The role requires strong technical credibility across application architecture, software delivery, integration patterns, modernization, and production support
  • The leader must be able to challenge designs, improve implementation approaches, and personally help teams through difficult technical situations
  • Success in this role depends on balancing strategic leadership with direct engineering engagement

Your Skills and Abilities (Required Qualifications)

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience
  • 10+ years experience in software engineering, with progressive responsibility across application development, and 5+ years of technical people leadership experience
  • Proven experience leading engineering teams and engineering managers responsible for complex enterprise application portfolios
  • Deep hands-on experience in software design, coding, code review, debugging, and technical problem solving
  • Demonstrated success modernizing legacy systems while supporting ongoing delivery for business-critical applications
  • Strong understanding of distributed systems, application integration, APIs, event-driven patterns, data flows, and enterprise architecture
  • Experience establishing and improving engineering standards, development lifecycle practices, and delivery discipline
  • Ability to lead across ambiguity, influence senior stakeholders, and align technical decisions with business outcomes
  • Strong coaching and mentoring capability, with a track record of raising the technical effectiveness of engineers and managers
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical issues clearly to both engineering and business audiences

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

  • 12+ years experience in software engineering, with progressive responsibility across application development, and 7+ years of technical people leadership experience
  • Experience supporting complex customer-facing, operational, or enterprise business domains
  • Experience with legacy platform transformation, including mainframe-connected or deeply integrated enterprise systems
  • Experience with cloud platforms, DevOps tooling, automated testing, observability, and modern software delivery practices
  • Experience leading globally distributed engineering teams
  • Experience operating in environments that require both speed of delivery and high operational reliability
GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of GM as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc). This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location at least 3 times a week {or other frequency dictated by their manager}. This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.

About General Motors

General Motors Company engages in the manufacture and sale of cars and trucks in the United States, China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy. It offers sedans, crossovers, sport utility vehicles, pick-up trucks, coupes, sports/convertibles and hybrid vehicles, hatchbacks/wagons, and vans, as well as mini cars in India. The company also provides parts and accessories, such as iPod and MP3 compatibility, mobility accessories, performance parts, AC parts and services, and merchandise. In addition, it offers vehicle safety, security, and information services. The company provides used vehicles. It offers its products through dealers and distributors. General Motors Company was formerly known as NGMCO, Inc. and changed its name to General Motors Company in July 2009. The company was incorporated in 2009 and is based in Detroit, Michigan. It operates manufacturing facilities in India, the United States, and Canada. General Motors Company operates as a subsidiary of the United States Department of The Treasury. General Motors led global vehicle sales for 77 consecutive years from 1931 through 2007, longer than any other automaker, and is currently among the world's largest automakers by vehicle unit sales. General Motors acts in most countries outside the USA via wholly-owned subsidiaries but operates in China through 10 joint ventures. GM's OnStar subsidiary provides vehicle safety, security, and information services. In 2009, General Motors shed several brands, closing Saturn, Pontiac, and Hummer, and emerged from a government-backed Chapter 11 reorganization. In 2010, GM made an initial public offering IPOs to date and returned to profitability later that year.

General Motors Careers

Join the dynamic team at General Motors, a global leader in automotive innovation and technology. At General Motors, we offer unparalleled job opportunities that propel your career forward while contributing to a legacy of engineering excellence.

Work You’ll Do

Embark on a career with General Motors to drive the future of mobility. Our team is dedicated to redefining the automotive landscape through innovation and leadership in electric vehicles and sustainable solutions. By joining us, you will be part of a culture that values diversity, teamwork, and continuous professional growth.

Transform Your Career

General Motors is not just a company; it's a community where you can grow your skills alongside the best in the industry. Our leadership is committed to providing every employee—from interns to senior professionals—with opportunities for career advancement, leadership development, and diversity training.

Innovate and Lead

At General Motors, innovation is at the core of everything we do. From research and development to manufacturing, our teams work collaboratively to lead the industry with cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices. We encourage our employees to think big and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Join Our Global Team

As part of our global workforce, you will collaborate with talented individuals who are passionate about shaping the future of transportation. General Motors offers a variety of career paths in engineering, design, IT, marketing, and more. With over 155,000 employees worldwide, our network provides expansive opportunities for networking and professional development.

Internship Programs and Employment Benefits

Start your career journey with a General Motors internship, where you can apply your academic knowledge to real-world projects. Our internships provide a robust foundation in the automotive industry, with mentorship from experienced leaders. Full-time employees enjoy a wealth of benefits, including comprehensive health care, retirement plans, and performance bonuses, ensuring that your hard work is rewarded.

Explore Job Opportunities

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, General Motors offers positions that leverage your unique skills. Our hiring process is designed to identify and nurture talent, focusing on aligning your capabilities with the right opportunities for growth within the company.

Stay Connected

Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. At General Motors, we look for innovative, driven, and solution-oriented team players. Explore the possibilities that await you in a career at General Motors.

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Learn more about General Motors
Size
157,000 employees
Market Cap
$46.9 billion
Industry
Net Income
$6.4 billion
Founded
1908
5 Year Trend
-3.2%
Revenue
$122.4 billion
NASDAQ

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