Sr. Manager, Software Engineering

Thermo Fisher Scientific • Fremont, CA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Thermo Fisher Scientific is seeking a Sr. Software Engineering Manager to lead its Software Applications Development team in Fremont, California. The team develops software for semiconductor failure-analysis instrumentation. The role leads software strategy, product roadmap execution, engineering excellence, and organizational development, partnering with Product Management, Business Unit leadership, customers, and global R&D teams to deliver business-critical software and build a high-performing engineering organization.

The position owns the software development and execution roadmap, contributes to business and resource planning, and provides hands-on technical leadership in C#, .NET, WPF, and Windows desktop application development. It also oversees software execution, engineering standards, cybersecurity compliance, AI-assisted engineering tools, automation, DevOps, and continuous improvement. Organizational responsibilities include team development, capacity and staffing, succession planning, and expanding software development capabilities in lower-cost regions.

This is a fully onsite role at the Fremont, California site, requiring close collaboration with engineering, product development, and R&D teams. Occasional domestic and international travel may be required. Relocation assistance is not provided. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future and must pass a comprehensive background check and drug screen.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field with 10 or more years of experience, or an advanced degree with 8 or more years of experience.
• At least 5 years of software engineering leadership and people-management experience, with demonstrated success building and developing high-performing teams.
• Strong hands-on programming experience in C#, .NET, WPF, and Windows desktop application development, including design, implementation, debugging, and performance optimization.
• Experience designing and developing complex, object-oriented, multithreaded, and maintainable desktop software applications.
• Strong technical background in software architecture, development methodologies, system integration, Agile, DevOps, and software quality.
• Ability to remain technically engaged, review complex designs and code, guide implementation decisions, and help resolve challenging software problems.
• Proven ability to lead complex software programs, establish operational plans, manage resources, and deliver business-critical results.
• Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and organizational leadership skills, including the ability to lead under pressure and drive change.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to balance strategic priorities with operational execution and customer commitments.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.
• Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check and drug screen.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with scientific instrumentation, semiconductor equipment, automation, imaging, or complex hardware-integrated software.
• Experience driving AI tool adoption across engineering teams, including developer enablement, workflow integration, and measurement of productivity improvements.
• Experience with software platform modernization, cybersecurity compliance, and reusable software architectures.
• Experience managing globally distributed teams and expanding engineering capabilities in lower-cost regions.

Responsibilities

• Own the software development and execution roadmap, aligning it with product strategy, customer requirements, and business priorities.
• Serve as a central software leadership contact, driving cross-functional alignment, prioritization, and critical decisions.
• Establish one- to two-year operational objectives and participate in annual business planning, including resource, capacity, and investment planning.
• Maintain broad technical and product knowledge across the supported portfolio and partner with Product Management, Business Unit leaders, customers, and R&D.
• Lead software execution for PMP programs, ensuring quality, schedule adherence, and delivery of critical customer commitments.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership in C#, .NET, WPF, and Windows desktop application development, including architecture, design reviews, code reviews, debugging, and resolution of complex technical issues.
• Drive software engineering standards, technical excellence, architecture improvements, reuse, and continuous improvement.
• Make difficult decisions, resolve escalations, and drive accountability and organizational change.
• Lead cybersecurity compliance initiatives and promote secure software development practices.
• Drive adoption of AI-assisted engineering tools, automation, DevOps, and modern development practices to improve productivity and software quality.
• Build and develop high-performing engineering teams with clear ownership, accountability, and execution discipline.
• Set performance expectations and establish individual growth plans, mentoring, and succession strategies for high-performing engineers and future technical leaders.
• Own team capacity, staffing priorities, resource allocation, and operational performance improvements.
• Develop and execute a strategic plan for expanding software development in lower-cost regions to improve engineering capacity, cost efficiency, and global collaboration.
• Establish effective engineering practices, technical ownership, and knowledge transfer across global development teams and external partners.

Benefits

• Choice of national medical and dental plans and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs.
• Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement.
• At least 120 hours of paid time off and 10 paid holidays annually.
• Paid parental leave, including 3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave.
• Accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy.
• Competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan and other retirement and savings programs.
• Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), offering eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount.
• Variable annual bonus may be available based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior