Engineering Manager, Transfer Explorer

ITHAKA; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 138,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

Employer-paid 10% retirement contrib.

Parental and caregiver leave

22 days paid time off

11 paid holidays

Up to 12 paid sick days

Wellness benefits

Job summary

ITHAKA Labs is seeking an Engineering Manager for the Transfer Explorer team. You will direct technical work, scale the platform, and empower a growing engineering group to deliver data-driven solutions for students and administrators.

The role integrates leadership across design, researchers, and product managers to advance a national transfer articulation tool. The role emphasizes team leadership, scalable infrastructure, secure and observable systems, and collaboration with data integration

Qualifications

• 10+ years experience developing and managing web-based software applications, including cloud environments (AWS).
• 3+ years experience managing software engineers and leading teams.
• Ability to create technology-driven solutions that are innovative and feasible.
• Experience scaling prototypes to scalable, sustainable infrastructure with appropriate resilience.
• Experience using agile development approaches (lean startup, design-thinking, short iterations).
• Experience architecting software spanning multiple components, including data pipelines.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and implementation of the Transfer Explorer platform and related R&D efforts.
• Supervise engineers, set goals, mentor, recruit, and manage budgets and timelines.
• Provide technical leadership to ensure scalable data processing pipelines and strong user experience with security and observability.
• Manage vendor relationships and partnerships, including data integration partners and contracts.
• Participate in Transfer Explorer and ITHAKA Labs leadership activities, roadmapping and partnerships.

Skills

Web app development

Engineering leadership

Technical leadership

Scaling systems

Agile methods

Data pipelines

Communication

Job description

ITHAKA’s mission is to expand access to knowledge and education around the world. Our services — JSTOR, Portico, and Ithaka S+R — enable people everywhere to learn, to grow, and to overcome barriers to education. In carrying out our mission, as employees we feel a deep responsibility to members of our community and to each other, and we are committed to building and sustaining a culture where everyone can thrive.

The Role

ITHAKA Labs is seeking an Engineering Manager for its Transfer Explorer team. Transfer Explorer is a growing platform which aims to make it easy for students, school administrators, and advisors to see how earned credits and prior learning experiences will transfer and count toward a degree at a new institution. Building on a concept initially piloted at the City University of New York, the team has created a national version of the tool that strives to help students across multiple states. Transfer Explorer is managed as a startup within the ITHAKA Labs team, whose mission is to discover opportunities, design solutions, and incubate and scale services that change people’s lives through learning.

The Engineering Manager will direct the technical aspects of the Transfer Explorer effort, ensuring that the platform provides the best possible experience for data providers and student users alike, and that the engineering team is empowered and productive. As one of the leaders of the Transfer Explorer team, the Engineering Manager will play an active role in scaling this startup towards impact and sustainability.

Responsibilities

The Engineering Manager will play a lead role in all aspects of the design and implementation of Transfer Explorer, including the development of the core platform as well as related R&D or discovery efforts. Key responsibilities include:

• Team supervision: Manage a talented and growing team of engineers, including goal setting and review, time and expense management, mentorship, and, as needed, staff development, performance management and recruitment of new staff. Set the team up for success as they collaborate with a multifunctional team of designers, researchers, and product and project managers.
• Technical leadership: Create the conditions needed for a dynamic and creative team of engineers to deliver a Transfer Explorer platform that features scalable and sustainable data processing pipelines and best-in-class user experience for students and administrators, all with security and observability in mind.
• Vendor and partner management: Own the relationships with multiple technical vendors, including our relationship with data integration partners DXtera, managing contracts, deliverables, and integration with the team. Work with project leadership to explore and cultivate partnerships and collaborations that enhance Transfer Explorer’s position in the community.
• Project leadership: Participate actively in Transfer Explorer and ITHAKA Labs leadership teams, conducting business and contingency planning, roadmapping, contributing to grant application and management, and exploring new partnerships.

Experience and Skills

Required

• 10+ years experience developing and managing web-based software applications, including experience with cloud computing environments (such as AWS)
• 3+ years experience and a proven affinity for managing and developing software engineers
• Demonstrated ability to create technology driven solutions that are both innovative and feasible
• Experience scaling solutions from prototype to scalable, sustainable infrastructure, and an understanding of when and how to invest varying levels of resilience and structure
• Experience using agile development approaches: for example, lean-startup and design-thinking inspired methods incorporating short product development, business-hypothesis-driven experimentation, iterative product releases, and validated learning
• Experience developing and architecting software that spans multiple components, including data pipelines
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills

Preferred

• Experience working with data from higher educational institutions, including student information systems, degree audit systems, transfer articulation, or student records operations

Work Authorization and Sponsorship

ITHAKA is not currently considering candidates who require any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) to work in the United States.

Compensation and Benefits

At ITHAKA we believe in openness and fair pay. Part of living those values is our commitment to clarity about salary ranges, so candidates know what to expect. The starting salary for this position ranges from $138,000 to $173,000 per year. Starting pay may vary with job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. At present, our total compensation package for benefits-eligible employees includes medical, dental, and vision plans, an employer-paid 10% retirement contribution, paid parental and caregiver leave, 22 days of paid time off, 11 paid holidays, up to 12 paid sick days, wellness benefits, and more. Please note that ITHAKA, at its discretion, may make changes to its benefits programs from time to time.

Work for ITHAKA

We are committed to our organizational values of belonging, evidence, speed, teamwork, and trust. We take seriously the need for everyone to feel welcome. Belonging is one of our core values, and it shows in our vibrant culture. People from a wide range of backgrounds work at ITHAKA, and we believe that unique perspectives help us realize new insights and build better solutions.

We want to work with people who are passionate about ideas like these and who wish to contribute their perspectives and talents to ITHAKA’s mission. We enthusiastically welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and credentials. We want to hear your story and include your perspective in the transformative work we aim to do.

Although ITHAKA has physical offices in New York and Ann Arbor, Michigan, our employees are distributed across the continental United States. At this time, we’re not considering candidates who are unable to work and reside in the continental U.S.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to identity or other status protected by law. We invite you to read our Equal Employment Opportunity Statement . ITHAKA cares about your privacy, learn more about our Applicant Privacy Notice .