Software Development Manager

Cathcart Technology; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Bonus

Job summary

Cathcart Technology is seeking a Software Development Manager to own the organisation's application development, automation and integration capabilities during a digital transformation. You'll lead a small team, shape technical direction and take hands-on when needed, driving modernisation of Microsoft-based solutions (Power Platform, Azure, APIs) and improving engineering practices across the stack.

Role offers hybrid working with 2–3 days onsite in Edinburgh or Glasgow, and scope to influence

Qualifications

• Experience in software or application development with leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate, Dataverse).
• Experience building integrations using APIs and Azure services.
• Proficiency with C#/.NET, JavaScript/TypeScript, SQL, PowerShell.
• Solid understanding of DevOps, CI/CD, and source control.
• Ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Taking the technical lead on new applications, integrations and automation projects, from initial design through to delivery.
• Getting involved in complex development work, building functionality, reviewing code or resolving technical challenges.
• Supporting and developing team members, encouraging knowledge sharing and confidence across technologies.
• Introducing more structured development processes, improving testing, documentation and release practices.
• Managing the development pipeline, ensuring realistic prioritisation and high-quality delivery.
• Identifying opportunities to simplify systems and leverage existing technology.
• Assessing new tools and technologies, including AI, for practical business value.
• Collaborating with stakeholders and external specialists to turn business challenges into effective technical solutions.

Skills

Leading teams

Microsoft Power Platform

C#/.NET

Azure services

APIs integration

DevOps / CI/CD

Technical decision making

Tools

Power Apps

Power Automate

Dataverse

Azure services

CI/CD tooling

Job description

An innovative organisation is seeking a Software Development Manager to take ownership of its application development, automation and integration capabilities during an exciting period of digital transformation.

This is a varied technical leadership opportunity, combining solution design and development with responsibility for a small team. You’ll play a key role in modernising applications, improving engineering practices and helping the organisation get more from its Microsoft technology environment.

There will be plenty autonomy to influence technical decisions, introduce new approaches and explore emerging technologies, and make a real impact.

The Company

This is a well-established organisation with a great reputation – they are at an important stage of evolution and embarking on a deeper digital transformation journey. They combine a rich heritage with a forward-looking mindset, focusing on innovation and using technology to solve complex real-world challenges.

They are investing in cloud adoption, automation, application modernisation and new digital capabilities. The team works collaboratively with the wider business to develop solutions that make a genuine difference to how the organisation operates.

Technology Environment

The organisation has a strong Microsoft technology environment, with application development and automation centred around Power Platform, including Power Apps, Power Automate and Dataverse, alongside Azure services, APIs and wider business applications.

The team works across a combination of bespoke development, integrations and extensions to existing SaaS platforms, using technologies such as C#/.NET, JavaScript/TypeScript, SQL and PowerShell.

There is also a focus on strengthening development practices through Azure DevOps, source control, CI/CD and structured release management, alongside opportunities to explore emerging technologies including Copilot Studio and Azure AI services.

The Role

As Software Development Manager, you’ll be responsible for building and improving the applications and digital solutions that support the organisation’s operations and wider transformation programmes.

You’ll lead a small team of developers, providing technical direction, mentoring and support, alongside taking responsibility for solution design and technical decision-making. You may also need to get hands-on at times, particularly when tackling more complex development work or resolving technical challenges.

An important part of the opportunity is improving how development is delivered. The organisation is looking to establish more consistent engineering practices, strengthen technical standards and ensure applications are designed with long-term maintainability in mind.

You’ll also work closely with IT leadership to understand business priorities, plan development activity and identify opportunities to modernise existing systems.

Some of your responsibilities will include

• Taking the technical lead on new applications, integrations and automation projects, from initial design through to delivery.
• Getting involved in complex development work, whether that’s building functionality, reviewing code or resolving technical challenges.
• Supporting and developing team members, encouraging knowledge sharing and building confidence across different technologies.
• Introducing more structured development processes, improving how solutions are tested, documented and released.
• Managing the development pipeline, making sure projects are realistic, appropriately prioritised and delivered to a high standard.
• Identifying opportunities to simplify existing systems, reduce manual processes and make better use of the technology already in place.
• Assessing new tools and technologies, including AI, and where they could add practical value to the business.
• Working with stakeholders and external specialists to turn business challenges into effective technical solutions.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone with a strong technical background who enjoys leading developers, shaping technical solutions and improving engineering practices. You’ll be confident making technical decisions, mentoring others and taking a pragmatic approach to problem-solving, with the ability to get hands-on when required.

Ideally, you’ll bring

• A background in software or application development, with experience managing or leading other developers.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Power Platform, particularly Power Apps, Power Automate and Dataverse.
• Experience building integrations and connecting different systems using APIs and Azure services.
• Familiarity with development technologies such as C#/.NET, JavaScript/TypeScript, SQL or PowerShell.
• A good understanding of DevOps, CI/CD, source control and modern software delivery practices.
• Experience working with existing business applications, including adapting or extending SaaS solutions.
• The ability to understand business requirements, recommend sensible technical approaches and explain your thinking to non-technical stakeholders.
• A pragmatic, collaborative approach and an interest in improving how teams develop and deliver software.

Why This Role

• Shape the development function - influence engineering standards, working practices and the technical direction of future solutions.
• Make a visible impact - join a relatively small team where your ideas and contributions can make a genuine difference.
• Variety and technical challenge - work across different applications, platforms and business areas rather than being tied to a single product.
• Room for innovation - explore new technologies and approaches, with the opportunity to introduce improvements rather than simply maintain existing systems.
• An organisation investing in change - become part of a wider transformation journey with support for modernising technology and ways of working.

The Offer

The salary is up to £75k, with a comprehensive benefits package & bonus, hybrid working, with 2/3 days onsite in either Edinburgh or Glasgow.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants greater ownership, the chance to influence how development is delivered and the freedom to make meaningful improvements.