Software Engineering Manager

The Software Engineering Manager at Sofar is responsible for overseeing a talented team of engineers. This includes recruiting, hiring, and mentoring staff, creating efficient workflows, and collaborating with product teams to develop impactful software solutions. Additionally, you'll engage with cross-functional teams to ensure that development aligns with customer needs and business goals.

To qualify for the Software Engineering Manager role at Sofar, candidates should have hands-on experience with modern technology stacks such as Typescript and React. Strong communication and collaboration skills are necessary, along with prior experience managing teams, particularly in fast-growing startup environments. Candidates should be passionate about software development and its positive impact on sustainability.

Sofar has listed the estimated salary range for the Software Engineering Manager role between $180,000 and $215,000. However, compensation packages are tailored to the individual, taking into account unique factors like skills and experience, which may result in offers outside of this range.

Sofar is committed to climate justice and acknowledges the historical lack of diversity in marine sciences careers. We actively encourage individuals from underrepresented groups, including women, LGBTQ+, and people of color, to apply for the Software Engineering Manager position to create a more inclusive working environment.

Essential skills for the Software Engineering Manager role at Sofar include effective communication, technical leadership, proficiency in modern development technologies like Typescript and React, cloud application understanding, and experience in mentoring and coaching engineers to promote their professional growth in a fast-paced environment.

When discussing your experience, highlight specific examples where you successfully led a team through challenges. Emphasize your approach to mentoring, performance evaluation, and fostering collaboration. Detailing metrics of success, such as project completion rates or team satisfaction, can enhance your response.

Discuss your strategies for assessing project deadlines and team capabilities. Effective prioritization often involves clear communication, aligning projects with business goals, and being adaptable to new information. Provide examples of how your prioritization strategy led to successful project outcomes.

Be specific about your expertise with technologies such as Typescript and React, as mentioned in the job description. Explain projects where you applied these skills and the positive impacts they had. Discuss quickly adapting to emerging technologies too, showing that you're forward-thinking.

Share your process for identifying candidates that fit not only the technical requirements but also the team culture. Discuss the significance of diversity and how you ensure inclusivity in your hiring practices. Mention any assessment methods you utilize that reliably determine candidate suitability.

Focus on a specific situation where you addressed performance concerns with empathy and clarity. Mention the importance of being constructive rather than critical and how you facilitated a positive outcome. Highlight how your approach fostered trust and ultimately helped the individual improve.

Discuss your methods for fostering communication between teams, such as regular meetings, updates, and feedback sessions. Sharing successful examples of how alignment led to project success will make your answer more compelling. Highlight the importance of understanding user needs in product development.

Talk about initiatives you've taken to build a positive work environment that promotes recognition and reward systems. Cite specific examples of team-building activities or professional development resources that you've provided to keep your team engaged and motivated.

Discuss the various cloud technology frameworks you are familiar with and their implications for modern application delivery. Explain how leveraging these technologies can enhance scalability and efficiency in software development and project implementation.

Describe your approach to crisis management, focusing on transparency and communication with your team and stakeholders. Emphasize your ability to analyze the situation, recalibrate resources, and ensure that lessons learned from setbacks are applied to future projects.

Highlight the importance of professional development. Describe any initiatives you've led, such as workshops, training sessions, or access to online learning resources, that have encouraged team members to upgrade their skills and broaden their knowledge base.