General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc

Software Engineering Manager III

Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in engineering or related field; equivalent experience considered.
  • Minimum of 2 years in a software engineering management role.
  • Demonstrated success leading agile software teams in fast-paced environments.
  • Strong technical skills in backend languages (Java, Python, Scala) and data/analytics systems.
  • Ability to navigate ambiguity and shifting priorities while maintaining team focus.
  • Excellent communication and influencing skills with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance.

Responsibilities

  • Manage a team of 3-5 software engineers, focusing on performance and delivery.
  • Drive team accountability for timely high-quality software delivery.
  • Ensure sound software architecture and robust analytics pipelines with tech leads.
  • Collaborate with Product, Data Science, and other Engineering Managers.
  • Foster a culture of continuous learning and adaptive process improvement.

Benefits

  • Collaborative and inclusive work environment valued for diverse backgrounds and experiences.
  • Opportunities for mentorship and professional growth within a stable industry.
  • Hands-on leadership role offering a mix of strategic and tactical responsibilities.
Full Job Description
Job Summary

What You'll Do

We're seeking an experienced and people-focused Engineering Manager to lead and grow a software team building backend systems and analytics capabilities that power mission-critical applications. You'll play a key role in shaping technical direction, mentoring engineering talent, and scaling the team's ability to deliver high-impact outcomes.

This is a hands-on leadership role that involves balancing strategic direction with day-to-day coaching and execution. You'll work closely with product managers, design leads, tech leads, and other stakeholders to ensure your teams ship high-quality, reliable software that supports real-world decision-making under pressure.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Team Leadership: Manage a team of 3-5 software engineers, focusing on performance, growth, team cohesion, and delivery.
  • Execution and Delivery: Drive team accountability for timely, high-quality delivery. Remove blockers, manage priorities, and ensure clarity across teams.
  • Technical Oversight: Partner with tech leads to ensure sound software architecture, scalable backend systems, and robust analytics pipelines.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Product, Data Science, and other Engineering Managers to align goals and deliver value.
  • Continuous Improvement: Foster a culture of continuous learning, operational excellence, and adaptive process improvement across teams.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Qualifications

  • Typically requires a Bachelors, Masters or PhD in engineering or a related technical field as well as eleven or more years of progressively complex software engineering experience. Equivalent experience may be substituted in lieu of education.
  • 2+ years in a software engineering management role.
  • Proven success leading an agile software team in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong technical background in backend development (e.g., Java, Python, Scala or similar) and/or data/analytics systems.
  • Comfortable navigating ambiguity and shifting priorities while maintaining team focus and morale.
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and build trust across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance is required.

DESIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Experience working on government or defense contracts (if applicable).
  • Familiarity with cloud-native architectures (e.g., AWS, Kubernetes, event-driven systems).
  • Background in analytics, data engineering, or machine learning pipelines.
  • Experience hiring and growing diverse, high-performing engineering teams.

About General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is a leading designer and manufacturer of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent situational awareness and rapid strike capabilities. The company is headquartered in Poway, California, and has additional offices and facilities around the world.
Learn more about General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc
Size
14,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1955

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