National Average Salary
Software development manager salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. To explore salary ranges by local market, please visit our sister sitezengig.com.
The average U.S. salary for a Software Development Manager is:
$146,550
Software Development Manager Job Descriptions
Example 1
We are looking for a Software Development Manager to partner with world-class data scientists, mathematicians, economists, and operations research scientists to implement models, algorithms, and production systems to dramatically lower costs and create better customer experiences. These systems will create offline optimizations determining operations and will also provide runtime APIs used for operations.
There will be many opportunities to learn and grow in this role. In this role you will have the opportunity to learn from collaborate with and influence throughout the ABC Company Supply Chain.
We have a team culture that seeks diverse perspectives: we believe diversity in approaches, background and perspectives improve our chances of finding innovative high-impact solutions. We are supportive and deeply collaborative: most of these problems are near impossible to solve without engineering, data-science and business domain experts working closely together.
Key job responsibilities
- Manage a team of high caliber Software Development Engineers building solutions for Transportation Planning and Optimization within the ABC Company seller ecosystem
- Recruit, hire, mentor, and coach Software Development Engineers at different levels of experience
- Manage and execute against project plans and deliver commitments within a professional, high paced engineering environment
- Interface with our internal/external customers to understand requirements, set priorities, and communicate direction and progress
- Own all operational metrics and support for your teams’ software
- Drive improvements in software engineering practices
Basic qualifications
- 7+ years of experience working directly within engineering teams
- Experience partnering with product OR program management teams
- 3+ years of people management experience, managing engineers
- 3+ years of experience architecting and designing (architecture, design patterns, reliability, and scaling) of new and current systems
Preferred qualifications
- Master’s degree in STEM or related field
- Solid software development background including design patterns, data structures, and test driven development
- Ability to handle multiple, competing priorities in a fast-paced environment, and navigate ambiguity
- A deep understanding of the software development life-cycle, and a track record of shipping software on time
- Experience designing software architectures for scalability, reliability, and performance
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- A passion for people management and mentorship
Example 2
The ABC Company team is seeking a highly experienced and passionateSoftware Development Managerto lead ourback-end services developmentteam for our Field Service Management platform to meet market demand and producecustomers for life.
You are passionate about technology; you have worked as a developer who has moved into a management role. You are comfortable working alongside senior architects and project managers to lead your team in delivering scalable, secure, and quality products. You have years of experience managing multiple streams of activity simultaneously, you know how to break through roadblocks your team might hit, and you know how to provide accurate and timely updates to work activities.
From a technical perspective, you are experienced with PHP and .NET for creating a services-oriented backend that uses MySQL for storage. You have first-hand knowledge of building systems in the cloud, with bonus points for AWS. You are as comfortable trouble shooting issues as you are managing a standup call.
As a manager, you have experience working with distributed teams in multiple time zones, with a mix of contractors and FTEs, you’re experienced in tracking work activities using Jira and either Kanban or SCRUM agile methodologies.
Responsibilities
- Manage the day-to-day activities of a distributed development team focusing on backend services development
- Work with the product team to ensure the team has accurate and understood requirements
- Work with project management to ensure project status is accurate and issues are raised up quickly
- Work with the architecture team and front-end development team to design solutions and create common roadmaps
- Work with key stakeholders, prospects, and customers to identify and prioritize product features and functionality
- Participate in all grooming and priority setting sessions with stakeholders
Qualifications
- 8+ years of hands-on software development
- 3+ years building and managing high performance software development teams
- Experience in cloud hosted SAAS (Software as a Service) industry
- Experience with Agile methodologies (Kanban or SCRUM) as a development manager
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Experience using Jira for Agile project management
- Builds trust easily and effortlessly to assume a leadership role
- Creative thinker and problem solver
- You are self-motivated and a driven contributor who gets things done
- You are well organized and detail-oriented
- You love working with others
- You are not afraid to make decisions
- Bachelor’s Degree preferred
Highly desired background
- PHP and/or .NET services development experience
- You have worked at a startup or small company (<50 employees)
- Deep understanding of Home Service Industry or Field Service Management applications
- Intimate knowledge of the inner workings of service-based businesses
Example 3
As a leader in our IT group, you will play a key role in our global business by leading the development team with focus on growth priorities and existing systems. You will serve as a technical leader, able to discuss data structures, new technologies, and new methods of achieving system goals. You will also provide servant leadership to your team, removing roadblocks, coaching and mentoring as needed, facilitating collaboration with internal customers, and helping your team to succeed.
Responsibilities
- Be the technical and people leader for software developers of various experience levels
- Attract, hire, and maintain a team of talented developers
- Use your technical expertise to contribute towards building best-in-class products
- Take projects or significant features from concept to implementation
- Collaborate with IT and business management to establish priorities for the team’s plan and manage team performance
- Guide technical documentation of project requirements, developer processes, and end-user documentation
- Support an excellent customer experience by being proactive in assessing escalations, and working with the team to respond appropriately
- Follow and promote ABC company core values
Minimum qualifications & experience
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
- 6+ years of experience designing and building scalable enterprise software
- 2+ years of managing teams within a development organization
- Experience with Microsoft technology including VB or C# .NET, MS SQL, SSRS, TFS/DevOps
- Ability to balance multiple priorities and communicate across organizational boundaries
- Ability to build strong relationships with diverse teams within an organization
- Strong leadership, communication and organizational skills
How to Hire a Software Development Manager
There are a number of important initial considerations when hiring a software development manager:
- Recruiting:Do you have the knowledge, tools, and resources to attract and screen candidates?
- Complexity:Do you need a senior professional, or will mid or junior-level skills and experience suffice?
- Duration:Are you hiring for a project or an ongoing need?
- Urgency:How soon does the opening need to be filled? What happens while it remains open?
- Headcount:Do you have the budget and approval for an internal employee, or should you consider alternate options?
Answering these questions will help determine the best course of action for your current hiring need. Fortunately, great options exist for every scenario. These are our recommendations:
1. Use 4 Corner Resources (or another professional recruiting firm)
The heavy lifting is done for you when working with a top-tier staffing company like 4 Corner Resources. We source, screen, recruit, and deliver only the most qualified candidate(s), saving you significant time and effort throughout the hiring process while you remain focused on your core business. Understanding your needs and ensuring the right candidate for the position is the key to our success.
This is the best route to take when:
- You need to fill the position quickly
- You want access to a vast talent pool of high-quality, prescreened candidates
- You are hiring an employee as a direct placement but aren’t able to recruit effectively or efficiently with your internal staff.
- You aren’t familiar with current salary rates, market trends, and available skill sets
2. Advertise your opening on a top job board
Your best option may be to advertise your opening on a proven job board. There are many widely used job sites out there that draw visits from qualified candidates. If you have someone internally who can dedicate the time and energy to sort through applications and screen individuals effectively, this can be a great choice.
We recommend using a job board when:
- Your internal recruiting team has the knowledge and experience to assess candidate qualifications
- You are hiring a direct employee and have time to manage the entire recruiting effort
- You have a process for receiving, screening, and tracking all resumes and applications
- You are prepared to respond to all applicants
There are many career sites out there. Here are the two we recommend for a software development manager opening:
CareerBuilder
CareerBuilder has been a trusted source for hiring since 1995. Reach 80+ million unique, diverse U.S. job seekers annually by posting your jobs through their talent acquisition channels. Through CareerBuilder, you can engage candidates and drive them into your sourcing pipeline. We recommend using CareerBuilder for hiring when you have the internal resources and processes to review, screen, and reply to all applicants.
LinkedIn is a social network for job seekers, professionals, and businesses. With this popular job site, you can enhance your brand and advertise your open position to a wide audience of motivated, qualified candidates. Job postings on LinkedIn are also extremely streamlined and user-friendly, making it even easier for candidates to apply. Additionally, applicants can use their LinkedIn profile instead of a resume to expedite the process.
3. Leverage your internal resources
You can utilize your own website, social media, and employees to assist in your search for top candidates.
A company website posting should be the first step in notifying prospective candidates that you are hiring. Social media can also be a powerful tool for spreading the word about your new opening. As far as exposure is concerned, this option can be as good as some job boards when you have a large enough following across various platforms, like LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter.
Current employees are every organization’s greatest asset. Encourage your internal team to promote job openings to their network by offering cash and other incentives.
We recommend these options when:
- Your brand has great name recognition
- You can consistently monitor and respond to candidate activity through your website and social media accounts
- You have a process in place to quickly and broadly communicate job openings and requirements
- You have an effective employee referral program in place
If you aren’t sure which path is best, schedule a discovery call today with our seasoned recruiting professionals. The 4 Corner team is on standby to help you find the best option for your unique hiring need.
Sample Interview Questions
- Describe your experience leading and managing software development teams.
- Define your experience executing software development strategies.
- Where have you led teams, and how many direct reports did you have?
- What is your experience with Agile and Waterfall methodologies? Which do you prefer, and why?
- Have you overseen software development projects from concept to launch?
- Have you previously managed budgets and schedules while ensuring quality standards are met? Provide examples if so.
- What’s your approach to effectively communicating and collaborating with cross-functional teams and stakeholders during a project?
- Which tools and technologies have you used for software development?
- If your software development team has any disagreements, how should you resolve them?
- What coding languages are you proficient in?
- As a software development manager, what would you say your most important skills are?
- Describe your experience in software testing and quality assurance, including developing and implementing test plans.
- How do you keep up with new technologies and best practices in software development?
- What is your process for prioritizing and managing, managing multiple software development projects simultaneously?
- How would you communicate a quality, timeline, or budget concern during a project?
FAQs
How do I prepare for a development manager interview? ›
- How would you rate your communication skills on a scale from one to 10?
- Can you list your strengths as a software development manager?
- How do you explain complex technical issues to clients from non-technical backgrounds?
Software development managers lead teams in the design, development, implementation, optimization, maintenance, and troubleshooting of software programs and applications.
How much does a software systems development manager earn? ›As of May 7, 2023, the average annual pay for a Systems Development Manager in the United States is $107,094 a year.
What is the highest salary for software development manager? ›Software Development Manager Salary. $129,000 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $162,500 is the 75th percentile.
What are your 2 greatest strengths and weaknesses? ›| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Analytical skills | Hard skills (defined by the job description) |
| Communication skills | Soft skills (such as public speaking) |
| Leadership skills | |
| Ability to work in a team |
A great development manager knows that each team member contributes their own unique work experience and knowledge to a team. Your job description isn't to do other people's jobs for them or boss them around. Rather, it's to ensure the engineering team produces quality products in a timely manner.
What are the four major responsibilities of a software Project Manager? ›Software project managers are in charge of the planning, scheduling, budgeting, execution, and delivery of software and web projects. They ensure the successful completion of all software projects and also oversee the people performing work on the projects.
How can I be a good software development manager? ›This job requires exceptional patience and excellent time management skills. It also requires an ability to guide projects and work closely with other employees. Take a look at any successful development team, and you're bound to find a great manager working behind the scenes. That's just the way it is.
What is the difference between Project Manager and software development manager? ›Project managers plan and oversee the technical components of a project, while development managers plan and operate all facets of a business, including projects, marketing, and finances. Recognizing these differences can help you choose the best career path for you.
What degree do you need to be a software development manager? ›A bachelor's degree is the minimum education requirement for software development managers. Consider pursuing a degree in computer science, information technology or computer engineering to gain a foundation in math and technology and learn how to configure different software.
How long does it take to become a software development manager? ›
Most companies require a software development manager to have a bachelor's degree degree in a related field, such as computer science or electrical engineering. It's important to have relevant work experience, with typical job requirements ranging from 4-6 years in related fields.
Are software managers in demand? ›Projected job growth for software engineering managers is 21% from 2018-2028. There are over 41,351 software engineering managers currently employed in the United States.
Do software managers make more than software engineers? ›Managers make more in the internet, media, and insurance industries, offering average salaries above $144,000, while software engineers tend to make more in telecommunication, technology, and finance industries, with average salaries above $92,000.
Do software managers make more than engineers? ›It is not uncommon for a software engineer to earn more than their manager. Here are some potential factors that may contribute to this: Different salary structures: Some companies may have different salary structures for technical positions versus management positions.
What is the salary of Agile Software Development manager? ›According to data from PayScale, the average salary for an Agile Project Manager in India is around INR 1,389,000 per year.
Why should we hire you? ›“I should be hired for this role because of my relevant skills, experience, and passion for the industry. I've researched the company and can add value to its growth. My positive attitude, work ethics, and long-term goals align with the job requirements, making me a committed and valuable asset to the company.”
Why should we hire you examples? ›For starters, I have all the skills and experience listed in the job description, and I'm confident that I can make an immediate impact on your company. It's not just my background in leading successful projects for Fortune 500 companies, but also my passion for the industry that drives me to succeed.
What are the 4 factors of development management? ›The four important elements of development management enhancement strategies are: i) Capacity building training ii) Technical assistance and iii) Leadership and participation iv) Decentralization and empowerment. All four elements are directly focused on people.
What are the three principal skills you need to develop as a manager? ›Robert Katz identifies three types of skills that are essential for a successful management process: Technical skills. Conceptual skills. Human or interpersonal management skills.
What is the role of a development manager in agile? ›What is a development manager? Development managers are key participants in agile organizations and their role is substantial. They're responsible for the quality of the product, from code architecture to end-user quality.
What are the five 5 phases of SDLC? ›
The SDLC has five phases: inception, design, implementation, maintenance, and audit or disposal, which includes an assessment of the risk management plan.
What is SDLC in simple words? ›The software development lifecycle (SDLC) is the cost-effective and time-efficient process that development teams use to design and build high-quality software. The goal of SDLC is to minimize project risks through forward planning so that software meets customer expectations during production and beyond.
What are the 5 key role as a project manager? ›Specific responsibilities of the project manager
managing the production of the required deliverables. planning and monitoring the project. adopting any delegation and use of project assurance roles within agreed reporting structures. preparing and maintaining project, stage and exception plans as required.
- Technical Skills. This is usually the first skill that comes to mind for most people. ...
- Team Skills. This is an often overlooked skill. ...
- Client/User Skills. ...
- Growth Skills. ...
- Sales/Interview Skills. ...
- Community Skills.
Yes, Project Managers are usually paid more than developers.
Which is higher position program manager or project manager? ›Program managers tend to have more managerial duties than project managers, as they can oversee multiple projects. This can lead to more responsibilities and higher salaries for program managers.
Are program managers higher than project managers? ›Project manager and program manager are both high-level positions that offer personal and financial rewards. However, a program manager is typically a more senior role than a project manager.
What comes after software development manager? ›The most common job after being a software development manager is a project manager.
Do software managers need MBA? ›The Career Path for a Software Engineer After Earning an MBA
while others progress to CTO. It all depends on what you love doing most, whether that's writing code, managing projects, or handling relationships between people. If your dream is to get into leadership and management roles, getting an MBA makes sense.
Engineering Manager Age Breakdown
Interestingly enough, the average age of engineering managers is 40+ years old, which represents 77% of the population.
Why do you want to be a software development manager? ›
It's a rewarding career that allows you to combine your technical skills with your project management skills and people skills to lead and support a team, drive initiatives, and deliver results. While management is a popular career track, it isn't for everyone.
How hard is a career in software development? ›While it's undoubtedly a promising career, the vastness and complexity of software development can make it hard to learn. Software development is a field that requires its practitioners to have a good understanding of multiple programming languages, operating systems, database systems, and more.
Is it hard to get a job in software development? ›If you're looking to become a software engineer, it can be hard to land your first job. Many factors go into getting an interview—and even more come into play when you're trying to land the job offer itself. The good news is that there are ways you can increase your chances of success.
How stressful is software development? ›As a software developer, you've probably experienced stress multiple times and every time seems a little different yet the sensation is the same. A developer's job is very stressful due to its nature: you need to build or create, and you need to do it quickly.
Is a software development manager a good job? ›Software development is an excellent career choice by any measure. It's a high-paying and growing field, there are plenty of jobs, and workers report positive job satisfaction.
Is software engineering manager stressful? ›Being an engineering manager is a challenging, responsible, and sometimes stressful job.
What is the highest position a software engineer can get? ›Principal engineer VI
Principal engineers hold the highest position or level on the technical engineering career track. They are highly advanced software engineers who make important product decisions regarding direction and scope.
Software Engineer salary in India ranges between ₹ 2.5 Lakhs to ₹ 14.0 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 5.3 Lakhs. Salary estimates are based on 319.3k latest salaries received from Software Engineers.
Is it hard to become a software engineer manager? ›Becoming a software engineering manager takes a lot of knowledge and hard work, but the path towards this career is not very complicated.
What is the highest salary for software manager? ›What is the highest salary for a Software Development Manager in India? Highest salary that a Software Development Manager can earn is ₹70.6 Lakhs per year (₹5.9L per month).
What is the difference between software manager and engineering manager? ›
Engineering Manager is the one who oversees infrastructure/networking/hardware related items. Informally would report to Project Manager in a project. Software Development Manager is the one who oversees application programming/software and system integration items.
Which manager has more salary? ›| Human Resource Manager | Estimated Rs 3.0 lakhs to Rs 18.0 lakhs |
|---|---|
| Chief Executive Officer (CEO) | Estimated Rs 5.0 lakhs to Rs 102.0 lakhs |
| Finance Manager | Estimated Rs 3.5 lakhs to Rs 30.0 lakhs |
| Operations Manager | Estimated Rs 3.0 lakhs to Rs 18.5 lakhs |
Agile Salary. $100,000 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $148,000 is the 75th percentile.
Do scrum masters get paid more than project managers? ›Respondents had a median salary of $116,000. And project managers with PMP certification had a 22% higher salary, on average. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for the Scrum Master role is $97,319 in the US.
What is the salary of Devops software manager? ›How much does a Devops Manager make? As of May 8, 2023, the average annual pay for a Devops Manager in the United States is $138,248 a year.
How to pass an interview for business development manager? ›- How has your background prepared you for sales?
- How do you feel about working to targets? ...
- Describe the process you would follow for business development.
- What are ways to identify a new market to enter?
- What are the three most important factors when evaluating a deal?
- What motivates you in your work?
- What is your educational background? ...
- Why do you enjoy business development?
- What do you enjoy the most and least about teamwork?
- What qualities do you think make someone a good salesperson?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- What is your greatest strength?
“Over the years, I have acquired relevant skills and experience, which I shall bring to your organization. I have also worked tirelessly on my communication abilities and teamwork skills, which I will put to use in my future career, which would be in your organization if I am selected for the position.
What are the possible interview questions for training and development manager? ›- How do you choose and plan new training programs?
- How do you keep up with news and trends in employee training?
- What have you done to improve your skills lately?
- What has been the most difficult training situation that you have had to deal with and what did you do?
- Creating development plans and forecasting sales targets and growth projections.
- Identifying market opportunities through meetings, networking and other channels.
- Meeting existing and potential clients and building positive relationships.
What are the the 3 qualities of a business development manager? ›
They get hired for having strong professional qualities -- leadership skills, organizational mindset, creative thinking -- that would make them competent candidates for managing the intense pressure.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years as a business development manager? ›“In five years, I see myself as an integral part of the company who has helped contribute to the growth and success of the organization. I would like to continue developing my skills and knowledge in order to be able to take on more responsibility within the company.
What is an excellent question to ask the interviewer? ›- How long have you been with the company?
- Has your role changed since you've been here?
- What did you do before this?
- Why did you come to this company?
- What's your favorite part about working here?
- What's one challenge you occasionally or regularly face in your job?
I'm passionate, positive, persistent, sales- and result-oriented and a hard worker. I like to challenge myself by trying new things in order to learn more, develop myself and my skills in life. I also like to be challenged by others as well as challenge others myself.
What is the core skill of a business development manager? ›Developing the right skills is key to becoming a successful business development manager. The top 5 skills include communication and interpersonal skills, negotiation skills, research and strategy, business intelligence, and networking.
What are your salary expectations? ›State your range and provide a rationale for why you've landed on that range, sharing some of the research you've done and noting the skills and experience that make you a strong fit for the position. Acknowledge that salary is just one of the factors that will play into your decision to accept the job or not.
What's your greatest weakness? ›Answer “what is your greatest weakness” by choosing a skill that is not essential to the job you're applying to and by stressing exactly how you're practically addressing your weakness. Some skills that you can use as weaknesses include impatience, multitasking, self-criticism, and procrastination.
How do you handle stress and pressure? ›- Track your stressors. Keep a journal for a week or two to identify which situations create the most stress and how you respond to them. ...
- Develop healthy responses. ...
- Establish boundaries. ...
- Take time to recharge. ...
- Learn how to relax. ...
- Talk to your supervisor. ...
- Get some support.
- Project Management. ...
- Change Management. ...
- Leadership. ...
- Management Development. ...
- Data-Driven Decision Making and Analysis. ...
- Communication. ...
- Strategic and Critical Thinking. ...
- Marketing Skills.
- Why are you interested in IT management?
- Why do you want to work for our company?
- Describe your management style.
- How do you define success?
- What is your biggest management weakness?
- Which aspect of IT work do you enjoy the most?
- What are your greatest strengths as a manager?