Engineering Manager, Software Development

Company: Upward Farms
Location: New York
Posted on: May 17, 2022

Job Description:

Upward Farms designs and operates complete ecosystems of plants and fish in vertical farms, supplying these organic products to local grocers. We are currently expanding and have recently opened a new cutting-edge, fully automated facility in Brooklyn. More and larger farms are in the works. Our mission is to heal the broken food system and reconnect eaters with flavorful and nutritious local food.

Our Software & Electronics team ("S&E") develops tools to monitor, analyze, automate, and improve farm and business operations. We are seeking an experienced software engineering manager to support the development of custom software systems throughout our operations. Day-to-day work will include budgeting, prioritization, roadmap and program management, internal customer management, vendor management, and problem solving with the development team.

Success

We are looking for someone eager to develop strong bonds with diverse teams and users. Candidates must thrive working on a blank page, highly interdisciplinary projects. Candidates for this position will be expected to develop highly technical people and engender a software engineering culture that we can employ as a pipeline for solving problems with software.

This role will be charged with owning and further developing an Agile/Lean software delivery process for delivering several significant projects to production each year along with a variety of small projects.

This role will ask the question "How can I help?" more than issue assignments. Ultimate success in this role requires investing in and supporting projects, programs, and colleagues so they reach and exceed their goals.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a vision for software engineering at Upward Farms.
• Develop and implement standards, policies, procedures, and tools for the software engineering program within S&E.
• Develop and maintain high-level strategic software development roadmaps.
• Coordinate with teams across Upward Farms to assess business needs and offer recommendations on solving problems and meeting needs with software.
• Collaborate with the project manager and product manager within the software development program-yet to be hired-to develop timelines, budgets, requirements, and reporting for ongoing and future projects.
• Propose and manage project budgets.
• Supervise and support multiple simultaneous projects.
• Consult with the software development team to contribute software system designs and to solve technical and logistical problems.
• Monitor and improve software development processes.
• Work with the existing team to hire and develop a well-functioning software development team.
• Onboard new software development hires joining the team.
• Host regular two-way 1:1s with coachees including supporting development plans and performance reviews.
• Determine the need for training and talent development for software development professionals within the S&E team..
• Evaluate and hire contractors.
• Ensure software development projects have the support and investment of leadership and end users alike.
  
  Requirements
  • Technical and management background with the following components:
    • Minimum 8 years of software development experience
    • Minimum 5 years of experience as a software engineering manager
    • Minimum 3 years of project and/or program management experience
    • Extensive background in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, or related with a degree, appropriate certifications, or equivalent work experience
    • Extensive background in Engineering Management, Technical Management, Business Administration, or related with a degree, appropriate certifications, or equivalent work experience
    • Experience managing sprints, milestones, and release deliverables in an Agile/Lean environment
    • Experience delivering highly technical projects developed in parallel by working with a multidisciplinary team of people
    • Experience hiring, onboarding, and coaching software developers and other specialists within a software development program
    • Excellent communication, flexibility, empathy, and problem solving skills
      
      Preferred Skills + Experience
      
      Any of the following is highly desirable though not required:
      
      • Experience developing and deploying Cloud software
      • Experience developing and deploying shop-floor, backend, or IIoT software in manufacturing environments
      • Experience developing and deploying AI/ML or data analytics software
      • Experience developing and deploying enterprise software in agricultural settings
      • Experience with Python, Ruby, and Go
        
        Benefits
        
        We offer a dynamic work environment and benefits that include:
        
        • Aetna Medical, Aetna and MetLife Dental, and Aetna Vision insurance; FSA/HSA plans; and HIPAA-compliant health advocates. Upward Farms contributes 80-95% of the premium for Medical benefits for employees and their families.
        • Unlimited paid sick time. For extended illness, we offer short-term disability.
        • Up to 20 days of paid time off per year, depending on experience, in addition to paid holidays.
        • For new parents, an extension of New York State's paid family leave for up to 18 weeks of fully paid parental leave. This leave is in addition to Disability leave available to pregnant and postpartum mothers.
        • 401(k)
        • Commuter benefits, discounted bike shares, and other perks.
        • Fresh salad, and lots of it!
          
          Working Here
          
          We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our needs are unique and varied so we value colleagues with diverse backgrounds. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and/or protected veteran status.
          
          Please note we do not provide immigration sponsorship for this position;

Keywords: Upward Farms, New York , Engineering Manager, Software Development, IT / Software / Systems , New York, New York