[Hiring] Engineering Manager I @Inductive Automation LLC

Role Description

The Engineering Manager I (EM I) is the "Single Point of Truth" for their assigned 1–3 cross-functional teams, managing 6–12 direct reports including Software Engineers, Quality Assurance Engineers, and Product Designers. The EM I acts as a people leader and team facilitator, streamlining processes to eliminate functional silos and ensure the fast flow of software delivery. The EM I’s primary mission is to foster a "Team-First" culture, minimize unnecessary coordination, and empower the team to fully own the delivery of product features from ideation to production. This is a full-time position with remote, on-site, and hybrid opportunities available.

Responsibilities

• Team Foundation and Interaction Model
  • Defining and maintaining the team’s core mission, goals, and operating values ensuring every team member has a clear sense of purpose and alignment with company objectives.
  • Establishing and documenting a clear interaction model for the team, clarifying how external stakeholders and other teams engage with them.
  • Using the team’s interaction model to reduce friction and cognitive load for both their own team and external partners.
• Team Facilitation and Workflow Management
  • Holding ultimate accountability for the execution of Scrum Master best practices within the team.
  • Guiding the team in adopting and refining Agile methodologies that best suit their workflow.
  • Proactively identifying and removing blockers to maintain team velocity and focus.
  • Partnering with Product Management to ensure the backlog is healthy and refined.
• Team Leadership and Accountability
  • Acting as the manager accountable for all assigned team(s) output, quality, and morale.
  • Protecting the team from external interruptions and noise.
  • Facilitating internal team communication to reduce the need for constant manager-to-manager or team-to-team syncing.
  • Monitoring team pace to prevent burnout while maintaining a high standard of excellence and urgency.
• Engineering Operations and Process
  • Owning and overseeing implementation plans and milestone planning with significant input from the technical team.
  • Ensuring technical accountability by overseeing ticket work, documentation updates, and technical debt management.
  • Advising the team on quality principles and testing toolsets.
  • Leveraging the "Inverse Conway Maneuver" by ensuring the team's internal communication and structure mirror the desired modular software architecture.
• People Development and Mentorship
  • Building strong, trusting relationships with direct reports through regular 1:1s.
  • Conducting performance reviews, consulting with specialized Chapter Leads.
  • Managing onboarding for new team members.
  • Setting clear expectations and managing performance discipline in coordination with Human Resources when necessary.
• Strategic Product Stewardship
  • Collaborating with Product Management and Department Leadership to align the team’s work with the broader roadmap.
  • Maintaining a deep understanding of the product domain to effectively convey priorities and the reasoning behind the work to the team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, related field or comparable experience.
• A minimum of 8 years in Software Engineering in a Developer or Quality Assurance role, with at least 2 years in a formal technical leadership or management role.
• Proven ability to act as the single manager accountable for the end-to-end delivery, quality, and morale of a cross-functional team.
• Demonstrated success in bridging the functional identities of Development, Quality Assurance, and Design into a unified, high-performing team culture.
• Deep experience in facilitating agile rhythms and removing technical or organizational blockers to maintain team velocity and fast flow.
• Acts as a steward for team health by establishing high-trust environments where psychological safety is prioritized.
• Skilled in guiding teams toward architectural alignment and ensuring that quality principles are built into the development process.
• Experienced in conducting holistic performance reviews and providing high-quality career coaching to direct reports.

Requirements

• Expert knowledge of agile methodologies and the ability to optimize work-in-progress (WIP) to manage team cognitive load and prevent burnout.
• Maintains a strong level of proficiency in the SDLC, Java or TypeScript, and Quality Assurance automation frameworks.
• Exceptional soft skills for resolving internal team conflicts and facilitating decentralized communication.
• Highly proficient in detailed milestone planning, ticket management, and overseeing the execution of team implementation plans.
• Able to maintain a deep understanding of the team’s product domain to effectively convey priorities and the reasoning behind technical decisions.
• Skilled in collaborating with Product Management and management leadership to ensure team output is perfectly aligned with the broader roadmap.

Benefits

• 100% Employee Covered Health Care: Don’t pay a dime for your medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid Time Off: Receive paid holidays, vacation, and sick time.
• 401k with Match: Save for the future with our company-matching 401k program.
• World-Class Headquarters: Enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages, and recreational activities on-site.
• Adjacent Nature Reserve: On-site employees enjoy breathtaking views and adventures.