Work ScheduleStandard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental ConditionsOffice, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)
Job DescriptionWe are seeking a Sr. Software Engineering Manager to lead our Software Applications Development team in Fremont, CA, developing advanced software for semiconductor failure-analysis instrumentation. This role will serve as a central point of contact for software activities, driving software strategy, product roadmap execution, engineering excellence, and organizational development. The successful candidate must combine strong hands-on software engineering expertise with proven leadership capabilities, working closely with Product Management, Business Unit leadership, customers, and global R&D teams to deliver business-critical software while building a high-performing engineering organization.
LocationThis is a fully onsite role based at our Fremont, CA site as it requires close collaboration with engineering, product development, and R&D teams. Occasional domestic and international travel may be required. Relocation assistance is not provided for this position.
A Day in the LifeSoftware Strategy and Business Leadership
- Own the software development and execution roadmap, aligned with product strategy, customer requirements, and business priorities.
- Serve as a central software leadership contact, driving cross-functional alignment, prioritization, and critical decisions.
- Establish 1-2 year operational objectives and actively participate in annual business planning, including resource, capacity, and investment planning.
- Maintain broad technical and product knowledge across the supported product portfolio and partner closely with Product Management, Business Unit leaders, customers, and R&D.
Engineering Execution and Technical Excellence
- Lead software execution supporting PMP programs, ensuring quality, schedule adherence, and delivery of critical customer commitments.
- Provide hands-on technical leadership in C#, .NET, WPF, and Windows desktop application development, including architecture, design reviews, code reviews, debugging, and resolution of complex technical issues.
- Drive software engineering standards, technical excellence, architecture improvements, reuse, and continuous improvement.
- Demonstrate strong leadership under pressure, making difficult decisions, resolving escalations, and driving accountability and organizational change.
- Lead cybersecurity compliance initiatives, reducing product and revenue risks while ensuring secure software development practices.
- Drive adoption of AI-assisted engineering tools, automation, DevOps, and modern development practices to improve productivity and software quality.
Organizational Leadership and Global Strategy
- Build and develop high-performing engineering teams with clear ownership, accountability, and execution discipline.
- Establish performance expectations, individual growth plans, mentoring, and succession strategies for high-performing engineers and future technical leaders.
- Own team capacity, staffing priorities, resource allocation, and operational performance improvements.
- Develop and execute a strategic plan for expanding software development in lower-cost regions, improving engineering capacity, cost efficiency, and global collaboration.
- Establish effective engineering practices, technical ownership, and knowledge transfer across global development teams and external partners.
Keys to SuccessEducation- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field with 10+ years of experience, or an advanced degree with 8+ years of experience.
Experience- 5+ years of software engineering leadership and people-management experience, with demonstrated success building and developing high-performing teams.
- Strong hands-on programming experience in C#, .NET, WPF, and Windows desktop application development, including design, implementation, debugging, and performance optimization.
- Proven experience designing and developing complex, object-oriented, multithreaded, and maintainable desktop software applications.
- Strong technical background in software architecture, development methodologies, system integration, Agile, DevOps, and software quality.
- Ability to remain technically engaged, review complex designs and code, guide implementation decisions, and help resolve challenging software problems.
- Proven ability to lead complex software programs, establish operational plans, manage resources, and deliver business-critical results.
- Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and organizational leadership skills, including the ability to lead under pressure and drive change.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Ability to balance strategic priorities with operational execution and customer commitments.
Preferred- Experience with scientific instrumentation, semiconductor equipment, automation, imaging, or complex hardware-integrated software.
- Experience driving AI tool adoption across engineering teams, including developer enablement, workflow integration, and measuring productivity improvements.
- Experience with software platform modernization, cybersecurity compliance, and reusable software architectures.
- Experience managing globally distributed teams and expanding engineering capabilities in lower-cost regions.
Compensation and BenefitsThe salary range estimated for this position based in California is $165,800.00-$220,000.00.
This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:
- A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs
- Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement
- At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy
- Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan
- Employees' Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount
For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards
