Sr. Software Engineering Manager

Sonatech, Inc.; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary range: $175,000 – $235,000 per

401(k) company contribution 3%

Discretionary 401(k) employer bonus ~7

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Life insurance, vacation, and sick-le"

Professional development opportunities

Supportive work environment

Job summary

Sonatech, LLC, located in Santa Barbara, CA, seeks a Sr. Software Engineering Manager to lead and inspire our software team, driving systems and products beyond customer expectations. This role focuses on staff management, technical oversight, and collaboration with PMs and engineers.

You will shape technical strategy, plan manpower, and ensure high quality software across multiple programs in a defense-focused environment. A strong leader with interpersonal skills is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering or equivalent.
• 10+ years of software development experience.
• 5+ years of engineering management.
• Experience with Agile and Waterfall project management.
• Experience with CI/CD.
• Experience in a CMMC Cyber Security environment.
• Understanding of Software QA processes.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
• U.S. citizen eligible for U.S. Secret Clearance; active clearance preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage, mentor, and support the Software Engineering team.
• Translate program requirements into engineering tasks with Program Managers.
• Oversee project scheduling and manpower estimating.
• Develop detailed product plans with subject matter experts.
• Create technical strategies to meet engineering goals.
• Plan manpower across multiple projects.
• Manage tools and infrastructure for engineers.
• Communicate team goals and expectations clearly.
• Determine training needs for the team.
• Implement and monitor performance metrics; conduct annual reviews.
• Review team output for technical accuracy and quality.
• Represent Sonatech to customers as software liaison.
• Provide status updates to Project Managers via meetings and reports.
• Contribute technically to proposals and business development activities.
• Hire and onboard new software staff.

Skills

Staff management

Leadership

Interpersonal communication

Analytical skills

Agile methodologies

Waterfall methodologies

CI/CD

DoD Cyber Security

Software QA processes

Education

Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering

Job description

Sr. Software Engineering Manager

Sonatech, LLC is a premier undersea acoustics engineering and manufacturing company. With a focus on supplying advanced SONAR solutions for the US Navy, our technical expertise, customized design capabilities and diverse manufacturing abilities have led to Sonatech products being deployed on virtually every class of underwater Navy system currently in operation.

Located in beautiful Santa Barbara, CA, five minutes from the beach, we pride ourselves as having a culture of innovation as well as first-class customer service. Sonatech has a challenging and rewarding work environment where employees have the opportunity to develop their careers by taking on new responsibilities and providing innovative solutions.

Job summary

The Sr. Software Engineering Manager will be responsible for managing and inspiring our Software Engineering team to develop systems and products that exceed our customers' expectations. This role focuses on staff management and technical oversight of Sonatech's Software Engineering team. A collaborative attitude and strong interpersonal skills will be critical to success in this role.

Responsibilities

• Manage, mentor, and support the Software Engineering team
• Work with Program Managers and Project Engineers to translate program requirements into engineering tasks
• Project scheduling and manpower estimating
• Work with subject matter experts to develop detailed plans for new products
• Develop technical strategies to achieve Engineering goals
• Manpower planning for Software Engineering team across multiple projects
• Manage tools and infrastructure required for Software Engineers
• Communicate Engineering team goals with staff members
• Determine training needs for the Software Engineering team
• Implement and monitor performance metrics and give annual reviews
• Review your team's work for technical accuracy and quality
• Sonatech software representative to customers
• Provide regular status updates on Engineering work to Project Managers (in the form of meetings, briefings, and/or technical reports)
• Provide technical input for proposals and business development activities
• Hire and train new Software Engineering staff

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering or equivalent
• 10+ years of experience developing software
• 5+ years of engineering management
• Experience with both Agile and Waterfall project management
• Experience with CI/CD methodology
• Experience developing in a CMMC Cyber Security environment
• Understanding of Software Quality Assurance processes
• Analytical skills for evaluating risks associated with product design, development, schedule, manufacturing, deployment, maintenance, etc.
• Strong organizational skills for tracking requirements, technical progress, staffing, and schedules
• Effective leadership skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for overseeing staff, communicate instructions and expectations, and coordinating with other management personnel
• Must be a U.S. citizen with the ability to obtain a U.S. Secret Clearance; active or previous Security Clearance is desired

Preferred Qualifications

• SoC & CPU‑FPGA Co‑Design - Experience with system‑on‑chip architectures, especially designs that involve shared memory or tight CPU‑FPGA interaction.
• Low Power/Low Footprint Embedded Design – Experience with very low power processor with minimal memory and program storage.
• Business Environment – Experience developing for DoD Projects.
• Domain Exposure - Prior experience in undersea acoustics, sonar, or similar signal-processing domains is a strong plus.

Benefits

• Salary range: $175,000 – $235,000 annually.
• 3% 401(k) company contribution (no match required).
• Additional bonus contribution to 401(k): Discretionary employer contribution – historically averaging approximately 7% of eligible compensation, with actual contributions varying annually.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life insurance, paid vacation, and sick leave.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• Supportive, inclusive work environment with active investment in employee growth.

Sonatech is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.