Lead Software Development Engineer

Cox Enterprises; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 123,000 - 204,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible vacation

Seven paid holidays

Up to 160 hours wellness

Pre-approved leave options

Job summary

Cox Automotive is seeking a Lead Software Engineer in the Atlanta area to design, develop, and secure software and cloud infrastructure. You will work cross-functionally to align business requirements with architecture, leveraging AI and agile practices to deliver scalable, secure solutions.

Local candidates or relocation to Atlanta are required, with a hybrid work option. The role emphasizes AI-driven development, collaboration across teams, and ongoing improvement in software quality,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 6 years’ experience in a related field.
• Alternative combinations: master’s degree with 4 years, PhD with 1 year, or 18 years’ experience.
• Experience designing systems with embedded AI capabilities.
• Knowledge of AI governance and model lifecycle management.
• Ability to lead teams in AI tool evaluation and implementation.

Responsibilities

• Lead team to design, develop, test, and document complex software systems.
• Provide technical guidance and solution development across teams.
• Collaborate with analysts and stakeholders to develop highly complex systems.
• Estimate software tasks based on functional and business requirements.
• Drive improvements in secure coding practices and tools.
• Define metrics to improve quality and reliability.
• Architect AI-enabled solutions for scalability and efficiency.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Requirements analysis

Software installation and support

System and technology integration

Technical troubleshooting

Embedded AI capabilities

AI governance

AI tool evaluation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Job description

Company

Cox Automotive - USA

Job Family Group

Engineering / Product Development

Job Profile

Lead Software Engineer

Management Level

Manager - Non People Leader

Flexible Work Option

Hybrid - Ability to work remotely part of the week

Travel %

No

Work Shift

Day

Compensation

Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $122,600.00 - $204,400.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.

Job Description

About the Role:

We’re looking for a Lead Software Engineer to apply the principles of secure software engineering to the design, development, maintenance, testing, and evaluation of software and cloud infrastructure. You’ll work cross-functionally to understand business requirements, architecture, and technology direction — evaluating alternative approaches and ensuring software and systems are designed accordingly. This role incorporates state-of-the-art concepts and practices to facilitate system functionality, scalability, resilience, and security, as well as ease-of-use for both developers and end users. You’ll apply agile principles with a focus on delivering business value, fostering collaboration, and driving continuous improvement — while leveraging AI to architect scalable solutions, optimize team workflows, and drive innovation through intelligent automation and predictive modeling.

P.S: _ Candidates must be local to Atlanta GA or willing to relocate to the Atlanta area to be considered for this role. _

_ We are unable to consider candidates who require visa sponsorship now or at any point in the future. _

What You’ll Do:

• Lead team efforts to design, develop, test, and document complex software systems and applications
• Support multiple teams by providing sound technical and procedural guidance and solution development
• Collaborate with analysts, peers, and stakeholders to develop highly complex systems
• Estimate software development tasks within predictable variances, based on specified functional and business requirements
• Evaluate secure coding practices and tools, recommending and driving improvements
• Define and recommend metrics to improve quality, cycle time, reliability, and other key factors
• Present system alterations and designs to peers and colleagues
• Provide technical and procedural guidance to fellow team members, adjacent teams, and other stakeholders
• Architect solutions that incorporate AI components for scalability and efficiency
• Drive team adoption of AI-enhanced development practices
• Use AI to forecast project risks and resource needs

What You’ll Bring:

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and 6 years’ experience in a related field. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master’s degree and 4 years’ experience; a Ph.D. and 1 year of experience; or 18 years’experience in a related field.

Technical Skills

• Skilled in analytical thinking, requirements analysis, software installation and support, system and technology integration, and technical troubleshooting
• Experience designing systems with embedded AI capabilities
• Knowledge of AI governance and model lifecycle management
• Ability to lead teams in AI tool evaluation and implementation

Foundational Skills

• Skilled in building partnerships, challenging personal limitations, driving innovation, focusing on execution, and striving for excellence

Drug Testing

To be employed in this role, you’ll need to clear a pre-employment drug test. Cox Automotive does not currently administer a pre-employment drug test for marijuana for this position. However, we are a drug-free workplace, so the possession, use or being under the influence of drugs illegal under federal or state law during work hours, on company property and/or in company vehicles is prohibited.

Benefits

The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company’s needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.

About Us

Through groundbreaking technology and a commitment to stellar experiences for drivers and dealers alike, Cox Automotive employees are transforming the way the world buys, owns, sells – or simply uses – cars. Cox Automotive employees get to work on iconic consumer brands like Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book and industry-leading dealer-facing companies like vAuto and Manheim, all while enjoying the people-centered atmosphere that is central to our life at Cox. Benefits of working at Cox may include health care insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement planning (401(k)), and paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, flexible vacation/wellness days, and/or PTO). For more details on what benefits you may be offered, visit our benefits page. Cox is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer – All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to that individual’s age, race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law. Cox provides reasonable accommodations when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with disability, unless such accommodations would cause an undue hardship.

EOE, including disability/vets