Contract Software Engineering Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL

This role leads a software engineering team that designs, develops, and implements software for new and existing medical products. The Software Engineering Manager defines and executes a strategic vision for modern, efficient, and compliant software development processes, procedures, and tools. As a working manager, this person actively contributes to coding and documentation, from user needs through test cases, while ensuring the technical excellence and regulatory compliance of all software delivered by the team.

Responsibilities

• Lead, grow, and mentor a team of software engineers, fostering a high-performing and collaborative environment.
• Provide day-to-day technical leadership to software staff and guide them in best practices for software and firmware development.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve software development procedures and methodologies that comply with medical device regulations and align with current software engineering best practices.
• Select, manage, and coordinate external resources for software validation testing and cybersecurity penetration testing.
• Direct and enhance software and firmware testing methods to ensure compatibility, reliability, and stability across products.
• Provide technical guidance and oversight on software system designs, platforms, and architecture to support new markets and evolving customer needs.
• Direct or create software specifications based on user requirements and product design requirements, ensuring clarity and traceability.
• Write new software and firmware code that reliably functions and performs in accordance with approved software requirement specifications.
• Direct and create manual and automated software bug testing and code reviews to ensure software quality prior to release.
• Direct or create software design documents, flowcharts, and other design output documentation for software and firmware to support product maintenance and verification testing.
• Develop or maintain software for website products, or oversee external resources responsible for this work, as needed.
• Lead sustaining engineering activities for field-reported issues related to existing firmware and software products.
• Actively participate in investigations of issues related to software systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams as required.
• Direct or perform analysis of field-reported issues related to software or firmware performance, identifying root causes and corrective actions.
• Direct and develop new or modified software and firmware code to address and reduce field-reported issues.
• Ensure that all software development activities adhere to relevant medical device safety, software standards, and internal quality systems.
• Coordinate and guide teams located in domestic and international locations to achieve aligned technical and project goals.

• Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering or Computer Science.
• Twelve or more years of experience in software development after completion of a Bachelor’s degree.
• At least six years of experience in the medical device industry within those twelve or more years.
• At least five years of experience as a Software Engineering Manager leading engineering teams.
• Demonstrated ability to build, lead, and sustain a high-performing software engineering team.
• Demonstrated ability to apply structured problem-solving techniques to achieve positive outcomes.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as C, C++, C#, and SQL.
• Experience in cybersecurity applied to software and medical device environments.
• Strong knowledge of medical device safety and software standards such as IEC, IEC, and ISO (specific standards not fully specified in the source text).
• Working knowledge of medical IT infrastructure, cybersecurity requirements, and regulatory compliance expectations.
• Proficiency with code management and version control tools such as Git and Mercurial.
• Ability to direct and collaborate with teams across domestic and international locations.
• Proficiency in standard Microsoft Office applications for documentation, communication, and reporting.
• Experience with embedded firmware development, particularly in medical device contexts.
• Ability to ensure adherence to software development life cycle (SDLC) processes and software compliance requirements.

• Advanced degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field is desirable.
• Preferably, at least two years of experience developing real-time firmware for actively controlling medical devices with electro-mechanical elements.
• Experience developing code for cloud and web applications is desirable but not required.
• Experience with medical device cybersecurity, including threat assessment and mitigation strategies.
• Experience with embedded firmware development for safety-critical systems.
• Familiarity with SDLC frameworks and best practices specific to regulated industries.
• Ability to work effectively with external partners and vendors for validation, penetration testing, and web development.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to create clear specifications, design documents, and test documentation.
• Ability to influence and implement process improvements across engineering teams and functions.

This role follows a hybrid work schedule with four days onsite and one day remote each week. The position operates in a regulated medical product development environment where software must comply with medical device safety, software standards, and cybersecurity requirements. The team uses modern code management and version control tools such as Git and Mercurial, along with standard Microsoft Office applications for documentation and collaboration. Work involves close coordination with cross-functional teams, external validation and cybersecurity partners, and both domestic and international engineering teams. The environment emphasizes quality, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement in software development processes and tools.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Itasca, IL.

The pay range for this position is $200000.00 - $215000.00/yr.

medical, dental, vision 15 PTO days, 3 personal, 5 sick days 10 holidays

This is a hybrid position in Itasca,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 27, 2026.

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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