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Software Engineering Manager

Empirical Systems Aerospace esaero.com Open · verified Oct 24, 2026
San Luis Obispo Full-time Manager Engineering Leadership

At a glance

Manager-level Engineering Leadership role at Empirical Systems Aerospace. San Luis Obispo · full-time · $118,000–$175,000 base.

SalaryStated by Empirical Systems Aerospace
$118,000 – $175,000
Base salary for this role, in USD per year, as published in the posting.
RoleEngineering Leadership
SeniorityManager
LocationSan Luis Obispo
EmploymentFull-time
Base pay$118,000–$175,000
PostedSep 9, 2026 · 6w ago
Role brief

techroles summary, based on the employer's posting.

What you'll do

  • Lead software engineers through hiring, staffing, training, performance reviews, mentoring and career development
  • Coordinate software project scope, schedules and resources in an Agile development process
  • Guide product design decisions and work with management, production and marketing on design requirements
  • Develop software applications yourself, including testing and debugging embedded software and digital electronics
  • Keep designs documented against quality and regulatory rules, and review software tests through certification

What you bring

  • At least two years supervising and successfully leading a technical design team
  • Ten or more years across engineering projects and research and development, focused on embedded software through the project life cycle
  • Hands-on expertise with real-time operating systems, I/O drivers, microcontrollers and C programming

Who this fits

This is a hands-on engineering management role: you’ll lead a software team while also developing applications and testing embedded systems. The position is fully on-site in San Luis Obispo, and occasional travel within the continental United States may be required. You must be authorized to work in the United States and pass a background check.

From the employer

Summary
The Manager, Software Engineering, coordinates with other departments to meet the milestones during product development cycles. As a member of the Engineering management team, the Software Engineering Manager participates in defining and executing the overall engineering product development strategy, budget, team development and evaluation.


Position Responsibilities
  • Manages a group of software engineers, including budget planning, staffing, training, performance evaluation and career development. Attracts and retains high caliber staff and provides mentorship
  • Collaborates with management, production, and marketing to define product design requirements
  • Plans, coordinates, and directs engineering development projects. Reviews and approve product design decisions
  • Designs, modifies, develops, writes and implements software applications as an individual contributor
  • Verify and document product designs according to quality and regulatory guidelines
  • Works in an Agile environment to coordinate software development projects including scope, scheduling and resourcing
  • Participates in the testing process through test review and analysis, test witnessing and certification of software. Tests, analyzes, and debugs embedded software and digital electronics
  • Actively manage a high-performing engineering team, providing mentoring, performance evaluations, and structured technical career pathing.
  • Frequently interacts with subordinates, customers and/or functional peer group managers, normally involving matters between functional areas
  • Establishes and assures adherence to budgets, schedules and work plans. Interacts with senior management
  • Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)
  • At least 2+ years in a supervisory role and successfully managing a technical design team
  • 10+ years' experience on multiple engineering projects including research and development efforts, with a focus on embedded software aspects of the project life cycle
  • Experienced in and knowledgeable of real-time operating systems (RTOS), I/O drivers, and micro-controllers
  • Demonstrated expert programming ability with C language
  • Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies
  • Advanced degree is desired
  • Demonstrates competency in communicating technically and effectively with electrical, mechanical and software groups and staff
  • Demonstrates strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
  • Exercises independent judgment in methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results
  • Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explore multiple potential paths, and adapt decision-making style based on the situational circumstances
  • Inspires, motivates, and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees
  • Brings organizational values to life using personality, uniqueness and the creation of a shared vision
  • Champions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation while helping others deal with the effects of change
  • Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationships
  • Assesses the degree of risk and opportunity in plans or actions and takes appropriate action to mitigate them or makes plans to build on the opportunity
Physical Demands
  • Ability to work in an office and production environment (Constant)
  • Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Comprehensive Benefits & Perks:
  • Health & Wellness: Choose from three health, dental, and vision plans - including a 100% employer-paid option covering both employees and their families.
  • Paid Time Off: Enjoy 120 hours of PTO, 80 hours accrued plus an additional 40 hours of holiday break pay in addition to Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day off.
  • Life Insurance: $25,000 employer-paid life insurance policy, with the option to purchase additional coverage for employeSummary:
    The Manager, Flight Sciences, coordinates with other departments to meet the milestones during product development cycles. As a member of the Engineering management team, the Flight Sciences Manager oversees the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and Aerodynamic Performance disciplines and participates in defining and executing the overall engineering product development strategy, budget, team development and evaluation.


Company Overview
Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc (ESAero) is a leader in aerospace engineering, product development, and manufacturing, dedicated to delivering high-quality, innovative, and cost-effective solutions to the industry. We specialize in cutting-edge system design, rapid product development, precision manufacturing, comprehensive testing, and technology demonstrations to support the evolving needs of the aerospace community. Committed to excellence, on-time delivery, and continuous growth, we invest in infrastructure to expand our manufacturing and aftermarket capabilities while maintaining the highest standards of engineering services.

At ESAero, we don’t just build products, we engineer solutions that propel
the aerospace industry forward.

**This position is fully on-site at ESAero in San Luis Obispo, CA**
__________________________________________________________________________

ESAero is an equal opportunity employer.
E-Verify participation required for employment.
Must present proof of authorization to work in the United States.
Must be able to pass background check.
Pay Range: $118,000-$175,000 Salary Exempt

Opportunity

Engineering Leadership work from LinkedIn, X, Reddit and Upwork, in one list.

Each morning you get everything that fits, strongest first.

Engineering Leadership$110k+

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Opportunity

Engineering Leadership work from LinkedIn, X, Reddit and Upwork, in one list.

Each morning you get everything that fits, strongest first.

Find me work

By the team behind techroles.