AI-First Software Engineering Manager

Cengage Group; Virginia Beach (VA); Remote; USD 102,000 - 163,000; Full time

Job summary

Cengage Group seeks a Software Engineering Manager to lead a team delivering AI-first features for our Learning Platforms. You will partner with product and design to drive an innovative roadmap while prioritizing quality and accessibility for a global user base.

You will mentor engineers, modernize delivery pipelines, and engage with customers to align on solutions that meet end user and business goals. Strong Java and React skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field or equivalent
• 2+ years of technology leadership experience including global teams
• Working knowledge of AI concepts including ML, LLMs, multimodal models, prompt engineering, AI agents, RAG, vector databases
• Hands-on experience with GenAI toolkits and commercial/open-source implementations
• Experience designing APIs and modernizing architectures
• Strong experience with agile delivery and tools like Jira or Azure DevOps
• Strong front-end (React) and Java development skills (5+ years)
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences

Responsibilities

• Lead and coach a high-performing engineering team focused on quality, accountability, and continual improvement
• Reimagine and optimize software delivery using modern tools, automation, and generative AI
• Drive Product Operating Model (POM) Discovery with stakeholder engagement to meet goals
• Track quality and efficiency with instrumented SDLC tools and report to executives
• Balance technical debt with new feature work within each sprint
• Collaborate with partners to establish backlogs, estimates, and budgets
• Stay ahead of emerging tech to inject ongoing innovation into roadmaps

Skills

AI concepts

GenAI toolkits

Java development

React frontend

Agile delivery

API design

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science

2+ years technology leadership

Tools

Jira

Azure DevOps

AWS

GCP

LangChain

OpenAI

Job description

Cengage Group seeks a Software Engineering Manager to lead a team delivering AI-first features for our Learning Platforms. You will partner with product and design to drive an innovative roadmap while prioritizing quality and accessibility for a global user base.

You will mentor engineers, modernize delivery pipelines, and engage with customers to align on solutions that meet end user and business goals. Strong Java and React skills are essential.