Lead Software Engineer - IBM iSeries

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

Job summary

Cox Automotive in the USA is seeking a Lead Software Engineer to act as a senior technical leader responsible for designing, developing, and supporting complex software systems critical to business operations. The role requires deep hands-on development experience and extensive knowledge of IBM iSeries and RPG programming, guiding major modernization efforts and setting engineering direction.

You will lead multiple engineering teams, collaborate with analysts, architects, product teams, and

Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on software development experience, including complex systems.
• Specialized knowledge of IBM iSeries and RPG programming.
• Ability to guide modernization and engineering direction across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, test, documentation, and support of complex software systems.
• Drive RPG development and modernization efforts across platforms.
• Collaborate with analysts, architects, product teams, and stakeholders to deliver technical solutions.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to multiple engineering teams.

Skills

Software Engineering Leadership

RPG Programming

IBM iSeries

Problem Solving

Cross-functional Collaboration

Tools

RPG language

AS/400

IBM iSeries tooling

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 %

Yes, 5% of the time

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

The Lead Software Engineer serves as a senior technical leader responsible for designing, developing, enhancing, and supporting complex software systems that are critical to business operations. This role provides deep technical expertise across both the business and technical landscape, drives engineering best practices, and helps define near- and long‑term technical direction.

This position requires extensive hands‑on software development experience, exceptional problem‑solving skills, and highly specialized knowledge of IBM iSeries systems. The person in this role, is expected to lead development efforts, guide resolution of the most complex production issues, provide Level 3 triage support for critical business applications, and serve as a trusted advisor to both technical and business stakeholders.

The role requires deep expertise in IBM iSeries application development and RPG programming as well as extensive knowledge of the operational processes that support inventory management and their transactions.

Additionally, this role provides technical leadership and support for critical inventory operations supporting strategic commercial and third-party clients as well as major and critical accounts. The individual is responsible for ensuring operational continuity, resolving high‑impact issues, identifying modernization opportunities, and driving technical excellence across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Software Development and Technical Leadership

Lead team efforts to design, develop, test, document, and support complex software systems, applications, automation and integrations.

Design, develop, enhance, test, and support enterprise software systems and integrations across multiple platforms.

Drive RPG development, enhancements, and modernization efforts.

Lead technical solutioning for large-scale, high‑impact initiatives spanning multiple applications, teams, and business domains.

Collaborate with analysts, engineers, architects, product teams, and business stakeholders to develop highly complex technical solutions.

Support multiple engineering teams through sound technical leadership, procedural guidance, and solution development.

Translate business needs, operational requirements, and customer expectations into scalable and maintainable technical solutions.

Estimate software development efforts and technical initiatives with a high degree of predictability and accuracy.

Establish and promote engineering standards for quality, maintainability, security, performance, reliability, and scalability.

Review system designs, architecture proposals, and code changes to ensure solutions align with organizational standards and technical direction.

Evaluate secure coding practices, engineering tools, and development processes while identifying opportunities for improvement.

Research, evaluate, and adopt AI and emerging technologies, engineering practices, and modernization approaches that improve system performance, engineering productivity, and operational resilience.

Present system designs, architectural recommendations, and technical solution proposals to peers, leadership teams, and stakeholders.

Define, measure, and recommend metrics that improve software quality, cycle time, reliability, service availability, and operational effectiveness.

IBM iSeries/ Specialized Systems Expertise

• Serve as the primary subject matter expert in IBM iSeries application development, support, and modernization.
• Provide deep technical expertise in RPG development and support for AS400.
• Maintain extensive knowledge of legacy system behaviors, business processes, integrations, and operational dependencies.
• Serve as a domain expert for integrations between internal and external systems, ensuring seamless data exchange and business continuity.
• Diagnose and resolve highly complex issues involving IBM i applications, batch jobs, interfaces, APIs, integrations, and downstream systems.
• Support and improve mission-critical systems used to manage inventory, operations, and products lifecycle processes.
• Provide expert‑level support for inventory operations associated with strategic commercial accounts and other enterprise partners.
• Partner with business and product teams to improve inventory management processes, operational workflows, and system capabilities.
• Ident