Software Development Manager

Job Title: Software Development Manager Industrial Control & Optical Measurement SystemsJob DescriptionThis full-time Software Development Manager role leads a small, high-performing engineering team developing advanced software solutions for industrial control systems and optical measurement platforms. You will operate as a hands-on technical leader in .NET applications using C++ and C#, acting as a player-coach who both contributes directly to development and provides strategic oversight, team development, and cross-functional collaboration. The position focuses on enhancing the accuracy, efficiency, and performance of glass inspection and industrial automation systems, while supporting a large installed base of legacy systems. You will engage directly with customers to understand real-world applications, gather requirements, and deliver responsive technical support. The role is part of the leadership team and offers the opportunity to shape technology direction, leverage emerging AI and machine learning capabilities, and drive continuous improvement in both new and existing products.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a small team of software engineers, providing technical direction, mentoring, and day-to-day guidance while maintaining a player-coach approach.
• Design, develop, and maintain .NET applications and services for glass inspection systems and industrial control platforms using C++ and C#.
• Contribute hands-on to coding efforts, ensuring clean, scalable, efficient, and maintainable code that follows best practices, design patterns, and coding standards.
• Implement new features and functionalities based on customer requirements, industry standards, and evolving product needs.
• Collaborate closely with hardware engineers to integrate software solutions with cameras, sensors, and other external hardware components, ensuring seamless system communication.
• Interface and integrate with existing third-party systems and legacy platforms to support a large installed base of inspection systems.
• Analyze and optimize software performance to achieve high throughput, low latency, and reliable operation in production environments.
• Identify and resolve performance bottlenecks, scalability issues, and system-level constraints across software and hardware interfaces.
• Develop and execute unit tests, integration tests, and performance tests to ensure software quality, reliability, and robustness.
• Engage directly with customers and end users to understand how inspection systems are used in the field, gather feedback, and translate requirements into technical solutions.
• Provide responsive technical support to customers, including troubleshooting unexpected issues on-site and remotely, and addressing problems in front of customers with professionalism and composure.
• Work collaboratively with a strong engineering team located in another country, sharing code, coordinating releases, and participating in regular cross-site meetings.
• Plan and manage projects, including backlog prioritization, sprint planning, and coordination of development activities across local and remote teams.
• Lead and participate in scrum ceremonies and other agile practices, balancing approximately 50% of your time between hands-on coding and leadership activities such as delegation, coordination, and stakeholder communication.
• Travel internationally 12 times per year to collaborate with the remote engineering team, strengthen relationships, and align on technology and product roadmaps.
• Champion the thoughtful adoption of AI and machine learning technologies, helping the team leverage these tools effectively while maintaining control, quality, and reliability of the codebase.
• Support and guide the team through modernization efforts, including evolving legacy code and transitioning or integrating existing code into C# where appropriate.
• Inspire and motivate the engineering team, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and accountability.
• Communicate clearly and regularly with internal stakeholders, including leadership and cross-functional teams, about project status, risks, and technical decisions.
• Handle basic hardware-level troubleshooting, such as diagnosing issues with cameras or sensors, and using hand tools or interacting directly with machinery when required.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in .NET software development with a strong focus on C++ and/or C# and the .NET framework.
• At least 3 years of experience in a direct leadership or management role, leading software engineering teams.
• Proven experience developing software for industrial or manufacturing applications, including interfacing with and controlling external hardware such as cameras and sensors.
• Strong hands-on proficiency in C# and .NET for desktop or industrial applications.
• Solid understanding of software design principles, design patterns, and best practices across the full development lifecycle.
• Experience integrating software with hardware components and third-party systems in industrial or automation environments.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and optimize software performance, including identifying and resolving bottlenecks and scalability issues.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team.
• Experience providing direct technical support to customers, including troubleshooting issues in production environments and on-site when required.
• Ability to operate effectively in a player-coach capacity, balancing hands-on development with leadership, mentoring, and coordination responsibilities.
• Comfort working with basic hardware and hand tools, including troubleshooting issues with cameras, sensors, or machinery at a practical level.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage credibly with customers, inspire team members, and collaborate with cross-functional and international teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with industrial automation systems, precision measurement systems, or optical measurement platforms.
• Familiarity with vision systems and image processing libraries such as OpenCV.
• Ability to implement image analysis algorithms to detect defects and inconsistencies in glass products or similar materials.
• Experience with front-end technologies such as WinForms or web development frameworks.
• Background in working with large installed bases of legacy systems and evolving or modernizing existing codebases.
• Exposure to AI and machine learning concepts, especially in the context of industrial inspection or automation, and interest in leveraging these technologies responsibly.
• Experience working with distributed or international engineering teams, including coordinating across time zones.
• Demonstrated success in project planning, backlog management, and agile or scrum methodologies.
• Ability to handle customer-facing situations calmly, including unexpected problems during on-site visits or live system demonstrations.
• Interest in high-tech, engineering-driven environments focused on innovation in inspection and measurement systems.

Work EnvironmentThis role is based on-site at an engineering-focused facility in Burnsville, MN, within a high-tech environment centered on industrial control and optical measurement systems. You will work closely with both local engineers and a strong remote team located in another country, with a 78 hour time difference and a few overlapping hours each day to support collaboration. Cross-site meetings typically occur every other week, with occasional additional sessions as needed, and the organization respects work-life balance while encouraging timely responses to customer needs. The position involves approximately a 50/50 split between hands-on coding and leadership activities such as leading scrum, project planning, and delegating work. You will regularly interact with hardware, including cameras, sensors, and inspection machinery, and may use basic hand tools to troubleshoot equipment on the shop floor or at customer sites. The codebase is shared across locations, and you will participate in coordinated development efforts, including 12 international trips per year to collaborate in person with the remote team. The culture emphasizes collaboration, technical excellence, and continuous improvement, while supporting a practical, customer-focused approach to problem solving in real-world industrial environments. Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Burnsville, MN. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $140000.00 - $175000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.401k health benefits medical & eye full coverage Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Burnsville, MN. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a hybrid position in Burnsville,MN.About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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