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Software Development Manager Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

... Talent Management, Value Added Services through CLASS (Competency Leveraged Advanced Staffing ... In addition, you will: - Create and develop software per the client's Embedded Software Development ...

As a part of larger R&D team: be on a constant mission to maintain and improve the quality of our ... Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams (of Software engineers, SQA engineers, Product management ...

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Software Development Manager information

See Iowa salary details

$74.7K

$133.5K

$167.7K

How much do software development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for software development manager in Iowa is $133,471.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,000.00 and $153,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Software Development Manager typically balance technical leadership with people management responsibilities?

As a Software Development Manager, you’ll find that balancing hands-on technical leadership with people management is a central part of the role. You’ll spend part of your time guiding architectural decisions and overseeing code quality, while also focusing on coaching, mentoring, and supporting your team’s professional growth. Effective delegation, setting clear priorities, and maintaining open communication with both developers and stakeholders are key to managing these dual responsibilities. Many managers also work closely with product managers, QA, and other departments to ensure alignment across projects.

What Does a Software Development Manager Do?

As a software development manager, your primary responsibilities are to oversee software development teams and to act as a liaison between your teams and senior management. You hire and train new staff, manage and evaluate existing developers, provide guidance on the design and implementation of new software applications, and ensure that projects stay on schedule and within budget. You collaborate with upper-level management and your developers to make sure that new and existing software applications meet business objectives.

What does a Software Development Manager do?

A Software Development Manager oversees teams of software engineers to ensure successful planning, development, and delivery of software projects. They coordinate project timelines, allocate resources, and facilitate communication between team members and stakeholders. Additionally, they mentor developers, set technical standards, and help align software initiatives with business objectives. Their role balances technical expertise with leadership and project management responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Software Development Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Software Development Manager, you need a solid background in software engineering, leadership experience, and usually a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with project management tools (like Jira or Trello), version control systems (such as Git), and sometimes certifications like PMP or Scrum Master are highly beneficial. Exceptional communication, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to motivate and mentor teams are critical soft skills. These competencies ensure successful project delivery, foster team development, and align technical efforts with business goals.

What is the difference between Software Development Manager vs Software Engineer?

AspectSoftware Development ManagerSoftware Engineer
ResponsibilitiesOversees development teams, manages projects, sets strategic goalsDesigns, codes, tests software applications
Required SkillsLeadership, project management, technical expertiseProgramming, problem-solving, technical skills
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in CS or related field, often with experience in managementBachelor's or higher in CS or related field
Work EnvironmentTeam management, collaboration with stakeholdersIndividual or team coding tasks, development environments

The main difference between a Software Development Manager and a Software Engineer lies in their focus and responsibilities. Managers oversee teams and projects, while engineers focus on designing and coding software. Both roles require technical skills, but managers also need leadership and project management abilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Development jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Software Development jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Software Development Manager jobs in Iowa? For Software Development Manager jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Software Development Manager jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Software Development Manager job openings:
Software Engineering Manager - Aerospace

Software Engineering Manager - Aerospace

Genova Technologies

Cedar Rapids, IA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Lead and manage the software engineering team, supervising 2-5 direct reports.

  • Serve as the primary point of contact between the project team and the client for day-to-day relationship management, including backlog prioritization and tactical decision making.

  • Act as Product Owner and Voice of the Customer within the Scrum team, translating client needs into actionable work and writing and maintaining user stories.


Job description

Why Genova?
If you're looking for the stability and benefits of a large company in a small company atmosphere, Genova is the place for you.
If you're looking to work in a community filled with nice people, Genova is the place for you.
If you're looking for a place that you'll want to stay with until you retire, Genova is the place for you.
Come and enjoy your workday at Genova Technologies! Join our team!
Genova Technologies has an immediate opening for an Software Engineering Manager for an exciting, long-term project in Cedar Rapids, IA.
What will you do?
This team member will support a development team working to transition an existing dual-differentiation architecture to a new RTOS-based platform. You will also be responsible for overseeing the team's adherence to DO-178/278 standards during development. This position requires Daily work to be completed at our Cedar Rapids, IA office, with some potential for Hybrid work.
Specific responsibilities include:
• Leading and managing the software engineering team, supervising 2-5 direct reports.
• Serving as the primary point of contact between the project team and the client for day-to-day relationship management, including backlog prioritization and tactical decision making.
• Assisting the COO with strategic client relationship management as needed.
• Acting as Product Owner and Voice of the Customer within the Scrum team, translating client needs into actionable work.
• Writing and maintaining user stories to guide development activities.
• Ensuring all project documentation is complete, accurate, and meets contractual and certification requirements.
• Supporting planning, scheduling, and execution of software development activities in alignment with the broader DO-278A certification effort.
• Collaborating with outside client's hardware certification team to ensure software deliverables are consistent with overall certification goals.
• Monitoring developer spend against the client's project budget, projecting remaining scope against available budget, and providing weekly budget and status reports to the client.
• Preparing and delivering a monthly executive summary to internal leadership assessing overall project health.
• Providing career guidance and supporting the personal and professional growth of direct reports.
• Managing technical risks and escalating issues as appropriate to internal leadership.
• Participating in and supporting technical interviews and onboarding of additional team members as the project grows.
What do you need?
The ideal candidate for this position will have:
• 5+ years of post-baccalaureate experience in a technical or technology-adjacent field, with demonstrated technical curiosity and the ability to understand, engage with, and constructively challenge software engineering teams.
• Familiarity with DO-178C and/or DO-278A certification processes.
• Demonstrated experience managing client relationships, including day-to-day communication and expectation setting.
• Experience owning and reporting against a project budget.
• Proven ability to write and manage a product backlog including user stories.
• Experience producing written status reports and executive-level summaries.
• Familiarity with avionics or defense software development lifecycles.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for internal team leadership and client interaction.
Skills we consider a plus include:
• Prior experience managing a platform migration or architecture transition effort.
• Familiarity with IFF systems or similar identification/interrogation technologies.
• Any DO-178C or DO-278A certification experience, with AL2 (DAL B) or higher being ideal.
• Sufficient technical familiarity with RTOS environments (e.g., LynxOS, QNX, VxWorks) to effectively lead and communicate with the engineering team.
• Exposure to DO-254 hardware/software integration considerations.
• Experience working in a Scrum environment as a Product Owner or Scrum Master.
• Familiarity with tools such as JAMA or Rational DOORS.
What do you get?
Genova provides a competitive benefits package that includes:
• Medical, dental, vision coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• Paid holidays and scaling PTO
• A generous 401k plan
• And more!
If you want to work for a company that values your career growth and respects your individuality, we would love to talk to you about the positions we have available!
Genova is an Equal Opportunity Employer.