Software Engineering Manager

ApplyBoard; Gurgaon; On-site; INR 4,000,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Job summary

ApplyBoard is seeking an experienced Software Engineering Manager to lead our Software Development team. This role will drive AI and ML integration into our core products and work with cross-functional partners to deliver high-impact features.

You will manage multi-disciplinary teams, promote best practices, and mentor engineers while partnering with product and Talent Acquisition to attract top AI/ML talent. Join a mission-driven company that values ownership and data-driven decisions.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of software development experience.
• At least 1+ year in a software development leadership role.
• Proven experience with AI/ML products or features.
• Strong knowledge of Agile methodologies and CI/CD practices.
• Hands-on with TDD and modern development tools.
• Solid OOD, data structures and algorithm design fundamentals.
• Experience driving best practices across the SDLC.
• Proficiency in Event-Driven and SOA architectures.
• Data-driven decision making and strong analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Meet business needs by managing engineering activities and consistently delivering high-quality solutions, with a focus on AI-driven features and systems.
• Collaborate with internal customers to gather business processes and project requirements, particularly related to data utilization and intelligent automation.
• Drive the full development lifecycle, including requirements analysis, feasibility estimates, architectural design, development, implementation, and operational support, ensuring scalable and robust AI/ML solutions.
• Work closely with Product Management partners on project planning, resource allocation, scheduling, and development timelines, especially for machine learning initiatives.
• Build and manage multi-disciplinary software teams, overseeing development processes using industry best practices, including MLOps and model deployment standards.
• Lead design reviews, code reviews, and mentor engineers while promoting data-informed decision-making and ethical AI development.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition and hiring managers to recruit world-class engineering talent, with a focus on AI/ML expertise.
• Manage multiple priorities in high-pressure environments, identifying and resolving risks early to avoid cost and timeline overruns.
• Plan and participate in community meetups, fireside chats, information sessions, and technical and recruiting events.

Skills

Software dev

Leadership

AI/ML products

Agile

TDD/CI-CD

OOD design

Data-driven

Stakeholder mgmt

Architectures

Communication

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or CS

Job description

ApplyBoard simplifies the study abroad search, application, and acceptance process by connecting international students, recruitment partners, and educational institutions on one intuitive and personalized platform. ApplyBoard is a mission-driven, hyper-growth organization. It has been attracting dedicated individuals for more than eight years who are inspired every day to break down barriers to international education and take their careers to new heights at a company that will invest in their career growth. Our six core values are our compass in our mission to Educate the World and the foundation of our unique company culture. As an organization built on a foundation of diversity, it’s important that our team members are representative of the students from more than 150 countries that we support.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Software Engineering Manager to join our Software Development team and help take our company and platform to the next level. This role will be pivotal in integrating cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies into our core products.

What You’ll Be Doing Every Day:

• Meet business needs by managing engineering activities and consistently delivering high-quality solutions, with a focus on AI-driven features and systems.
• Collaborate with internal customers to gather business processes and project requirements, particularly related to data utilization and intelligent automation.
• Drive the full development lifecycle, including requirements analysis, feasibility estimates, architectural design, development, implementation, and operational support, ensuring scalable and robust AI/ML solutions.
• Work closely with Product Management partners on project planning, resource allocation, scheduling, and development timelines, especially for machine learning initiatives.
• Build and manage multi-disciplinary software teams, overseeing development processes using industry best practices, including MLOps and model deployment standards.
• Lead design reviews, code reviews, and mentor engineers while promoting data-informed decision-making and ethical AI development.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition and hiring managers to recruit world-class engineering talent, with a focus on AI/ML expertise.
• Manage multiple priorities in high-pressure environments, identifying and resolving risks early to avoid cost and timeline overruns.
• Plan and participate in community meetups, fireside chats, information sessions, and technical and recruiting events.

What You Bring to the Table:

• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in software development.
• At least 1+ year in a software development leadership role (Engineering Manager level or higher).
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent professional experience.
• Proven experience managing or contributing to AI and Machine Learning products or features.
• Strong proficiency with Agile methodologies, development tools, and best practices.
• Hands-on experience in environments using TDD and CI/CD pipelines.
• Solid knowledge of Object-Oriented Design, data structures, algorithm design, and complexity analysis.
• Experience defining and executing best practices across the full software development lifecycle.
• Proficiency in Event-Driven and Service-Oriented Architectures.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with the ability to use data and metrics to drive decisions.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and ability to multitask in deadline-driven environments.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with experience influencing peers and executives.
• Ability to understand technical concepts, evaluate trade-offs, and assess new ideas with internal and external partners.
• Proven collaboration with business, legal, engineering, design, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong sense of ownership, urgency, and accountability.
• Demonstrated leadership, mentoring, and people management skills.
• Track record of data-driven decision-making.

About ApplyBoard

ApplyBoard empowers students around the world to access the best education. With more than 1,000,000 students from over 150 countries helped with their journey in less than a decade, we are just getting started. ApplyBoard’s global team assists students and our 1,500+ partner institutions by empowering the international student sector with innovative technology and insights. As a five-time consecutive Deloitte Fast 50 and Fast 500 ranked company, ApplyBoard keeps international students at the heart of everything we do.

Thank you for your interest in joining the ApplyBoard Team and being part of our mission to Educate the World.

While we are lucky to attract a high level of interest in each of our roles, only qualified applicants will be contacted and selected for an interview.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, and/or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans.

If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

• ApplyBoard welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities.
• Accommodations are available upon request for candidates in all aspects of the hiring and selection process.

Help Us Educate the World! We’re building a movement - an education revolution. We want you to be part of this movement—and have a whole lot of fun along the way!