Manager, Software Engineering – Herndon VA

Cogent Communications; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Cogent Communications, based in Herndon, Virginia, is seeking a Manager, Software Engineering to lead a team of developers. The ideal candidate will provide technical direction while mentoring staff and driving a collaborative culture. Candidates should have 10+ years of software development experience and skills in relational databases.

With a starting salary range of $135,000 to $165,000, this role emphasizes strong communication and problem-solving abilities, and the capability to manage multiple projects effectively.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of hands-on software development experience.
• 2+ years of experience leading and mentoring software developers.
• Deep knowledge of relational databases, from advanced SQL queries to data modelling.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of software developers.
• Oversee the full software development lifecycle.
• Provide technical direction and contribute to design discussions.

Skills

Software development

Team leadership

Communication skills

Creative problem-solving

Tools

PHP

Laravel

SQL

Job description

Job Summary:

Cogent Communications, a Tier 1 network provider, is seeking a Manager, Software Engineering to lead, mentor, and inspire development staff. In this role, the ideal candidate will actively contribute to technical direction through research, prototyping, and design decisions, while supporting the team in delivering high-quality software solutions. Candidates should bring strong, recent experience in software development across a variety of technologies and environments, along with the ability to guide teams through complex technical challenges. This role also facilitates communication between development teams and departmental end‑users, requiring strong communication skills and the ability to guide discussions toward effective outcomes. This role is well‑suited for leaders who enjoy staying connected to the technical details while empowering their teams to succeed.

Compensation:

Starting / Initial Base Salary Pay Range: $135,000 - $165,000. Specific offers within the listed pay ranges are determined by a variety of factors such as experience, education, skills, certifications and business needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of software developers, including hiring, training, and performance management
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and high‑performance culture within the team
• Encourage continuous learning and professional growth
• Oversee the full software development lifecycle, from planning to deployment, ensuring project timelines and expectations are met
• Collaborate with product management, quality assurance, and other stakeholders to define software requirements and deliver solutions
• Manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast‑paced environment
• Provide technical direction and contribute to design and implementation discussions, ensuring the team follows best practices for software development, testing, and deployment
• Evaluate and implement software development methodologies, tools, and frameworks, occasionally validating approaches through hands‑on exploration or prototyping
• Continuously improve software development processes, tools, and workflows to optimize efficiency and quality. Stay close to the team’s technical work to provide informed guidance, remove blockers, and support sound engineering decisions
• Lead efforts to automate manual processes and improve operational efficiency
• Facilitate regular communication with stakeholders to provide updates on progress, challenges, and risks
• Drive a culture of transparency, collaboration, and accountability within the team

Qualifications:

• 10+ years solid hands‑on software development in a variety of languages and frameworks with 2+ years leading, mentoring and guiding software developers
• Demonstrated ability to balance team leadership with continued engagement in technical problem‑solving and system design
• 5+ years collaborating with department heads and end‑users to identify requirements in order to produce specifications
• 2+ years of PHP/Laravel is a plus
• Deep knowledge of relational databases, from advanced SQL queries to data modelling
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to summarize technical concepts in plain English
• Creative problem‑solving skills and a nose for troubleshooting
• Ability to learn and evaluate new technologies for possible use by the team
• Ability to write clear, concise, and accurate technical documentation
• Outstanding customer service and time management skills
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills

Physical Requirements:

• Frequently remains in a sitting/stationary position during the workday
• Operates a computer and performs desk‑based computer tasks continually, frequently viewing a computer screen

Cogent Communications is an Equal Opportunity Employer.