Engineering Manager

First 5 Alameda County•Alameda, CA

6d•$120,500 - $173,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Engineering Manager leads First 5 Alameda County’s software development practices and engineering operations, ensuring code quality, secure deployment, and scalable systems. The role establishes engineering standards and workflows and provides hands-on technical leadership. It works with agency leadership, community partners, and cross-functional teams to align software solutions with organizational priorities. The position collaborates with executive staff and community partners to set strategic direction, policies, and deliverables for data systems programs and initiatives. It oversees the delivery of secure, scalable software solutions, supports incident response, and troubleshoots complex technical issues. The manager establishes coding standards, development workflows, and best practices for security by design, data privacy, and technical risk management; works with product management, design, and other teams to define requirements and priorities; and participates in architectural and technical design decisions. The manager oversees project timelines, resources, and risks; adjusts plans, escalates issues, and reports progress and engineering performance to leadership. The role ensures that code, systems, and processes are documented and maintainable and comply with applicable policies, security standards, and regulations. It also develops requests for proposals, scopes of work, and technical specifications; evaluates proposals, negotiates contracts, and monitors vendor compliance and service quality. The position develops and monitors program budgets, cost estimates, projections, and expenditures, and coordinates vendors and subcontractors within available funding. This position is based at the Alameda, California headquarters on a hybrid in-office schedule. The agency may return to a full-time in-office schedule at an undetermined date. Employees must live and work in California. The posting gives two salary ranges: $120,500–$173,000 in the job details and $121,000–$175,000 in the additional position information; it states that the posted range is set and salaries above it cannot be offered.

Requirements

Five years of increasingly responsible experience in program management, administration, and development specific to software engineering and design.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with major coursework in computer science, information technology, or a closely related field; additional relevant work experience may substitute for the college coursework or bachelor’s degree standard.
Any combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may qualify; additional experience and/or education may substitute for typical qualifications.
Knowledge of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and staff training.
Knowledge of leadership and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective teamwork.
Knowledge of program management, including planning, development, implementation, and evaluation.
Knowledge of public agency budgeting, contract administration, administrative practices, and risk management.
Knowledge of grants and other funding sources, including preparation and development of related proposals and contracts.
Knowledge of modern software engineering practices, coding standards, testing methodologies, and version control systems.
Knowledge of software architecture and system design principles, particularly scalability, security, and maintainability.
Knowledge of software development lifecycle tools and processes, including CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks.
Knowledge of application security principles and secure coding practices.
Knowledge of project planning, prioritization, and requirements gathering with cross-functional teams.
Knowledge of organizational policies, industry regulations, and compliance standards relevant to software development.
Knowledge of technical documentation standards for systems, processes, and codebases.
Knowledge of Agile methodologies and iterative development cycles.
Knowledge of applicable laws, codes, regulations, industry standards, and agency safety rules and protocols.
Ability to supervise staff, provide training and development, ensure effective work, and evaluate performance objectively and positively.
Ability to provide administrative, management, and professional leadership and effectively manage program operations.
Ability to prepare and administer complex budgets and allocate limited resources cost-effectively.
Ability to adapt to changes in priorities or resources that affect timelines and plans.
Ability to design, develop, test, and deploy high-quality software solutions and translate business requirements into technical plans and deliverables.
Ability to take ownership of engineering projects and work independently in the absence of an established team.
Ability to balance short-term delivery needs with long-term architectural and scalability goals.
Ability to collaborate effectively with product managers, designers, and non-technical stakeholders.
Ability to document systems, processes, and standards to support maintainability and future team adoption.
Ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues under time constraints.
Ability to understand, interpret, and apply pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards.
Ability to prepare clear and concise correspondence and documentation; communicate clearly in writing and orally; organize work, set priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to effectively use relevant computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment.
Must live and work in California.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with executive staff and community partners to establish strategic direction, policies, and deliverables for data systems programs and initiatives.
Oversee software development and delivery of secure, scalable solutions; support incident response and troubleshoot complex technical issues.
Establish coding standards, development workflows, and practices for security by design, data privacy, and technical risk management.
Work with product management, design, and other teams to define requirements and priorities and participate in architectural and technical design decisions.
Manage project timelines, resources, and risks; adjust plans, escalate issues, and report progress and engineering performance to leadership.
Ensure code, systems, and processes are documented for maintainability and knowledge sharing and meet applicable policies, security standards, and regulations.
Develop requests for proposals, scopes of work, and technical specifications; evaluate proposals, negotiate contracts, and monitor vendor compliance and service quality.
Develop and monitor program budgets, cost estimates, projections, and expenditures, and coordinate vendors and subcontractors within available funding.
Plan and manage subcontractors; set goals and monitor quality and timeliness.
Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure effective work, and evaluate performance.
Develop and implement program goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
Prepare and administer program budgets and allocate limited resources cost-effectively.
Design, develop, test, and deploy software solutions; translate business requirements into technical plans and deliverables.
Evaluate and recommend tools, platforms, and technologies to support engineering needs.
Adapt responsibilities as the organization grows, including mentoring and supporting future engineers.
Ensure software development activities comply with organizational policies, security standards, and industry regulations.