Software Engineering Program Manager

Incognito Software Systems; Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading software company in Ontario, Canada, is seeking a Software Engineering Program Manager to manage the end-to-end R&D process. The role involves defining and improving methodologies, driving teams to deliver software programs, and ensuring alignment with business objectives. Ideal candidates will possess a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and have 3–5 years of experience managing complex technical programs. Strong leadership and communication skills are essential for this role.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years managing complex technical programs.
• Proven background in R&D or product development processes.
• Experience in structured development lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Define R&D methodologies and governance mechanisms.
• Drive R&D teams to execute projects on time.
• Provide transparent status and portfolio health reporting.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional collaboration

Risk management

Software engineering processes

Decision-making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

Job description

Are you passionate about solving problems and delivering next-generation software to enhance the Internet experience? Join a global leader creating software for broadband service providers. We have been growing since 1992 and now work with some of the top service providers worldwide to deliver solutions that are innovative, creative, and make life easier for millions of subscribers. We are seeking a
Software Engineering Program Manager
located in
Ontario
, Canada who thrives in a fast-paced global team environment

The
Software Engineering Program Manager
is responsible for owning, developing and driving the end-to-end R&D process — from requirements creation through prioritization, development, testing, and transition to production. This role leads the execution, and governance of the R&D portfolio, ensuring alignment with the company's long-term innovation roadmap and business objectives.

As the process owner, you will define and optimize R&D methodologies, phase gates, documentation standards, success metrics, and cross-functional handoffs.

Roles and Responsibilities

Process & Governance:

• Define and continuously improve R&D methodologies, phase gates, deliverables, approval workflows, and success metrics.
• Establish documentation standards, technical requirements intake, and cross-functional handoff procedures.
• Create governance mechanisms to monitor risk, budget, technical milestones, and compliance.

Program Execution & Delivery

• Drive R&D and cross-functional teams to execute and deliver SW programs on time with quality.
• Lead governance calls to track and drive status including quality reporting metrics
• Anticipate and mitigate risk through structured issue tracking and decision-making
• Stakeholder Communication & Alignment
• Provide transparent program status and portfolio health reporting
• Align technical direction with product, business, and operational goals.
• Facilitate tradeoff decisions between scope, technical risk, and strategic value.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Certifications in program/project management (PMP, PgMP, Scrum/Agile, SAFe) are a plus
• 3–5+ years managing complex technical programs or portfolios (cross-functional)
• Proven background owning or designing R&D or product development processes
• Experience taking projects from concept → prototype → validation → production/launch
• Direct exposure to working with SW engineering teams
• Experience working in a structured development lifecycle (stage-gate, Agile, hybrid, etc.)
• Must be located in Ontario, Canada

Leadership & Program Management Skills

• Skilled in driving alignment across technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Strong organizational and decision-making skills
• Data-driven approach to tracking outcomes, not just activities
• Process ownership mindset — continuous improvement oriented
• Excellent executive communication and reporting skills

Soft Skills & Mindset

• Innovation-minded but structured — able to foster creativity while maintaining discipline
• Comfortable with ambiguity in early-stage research
• High accountability and ownership orientation
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skill