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Software Development Manager Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

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Software Development Manager information

See Michigan salary details

$69.3K

$123.9K

$155.6K

How much do software development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for software development manager in Michigan is $123,855.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,600.00 and $142,100.00 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 Michigan? The most popular types of Software Development jobs in Michigan are:
What are popular job titles related to Software Development Manager jobs in Michigan? For Software Development Manager jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Software Development Manager jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Software Development Manager job openings:

Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)

Tech Tammina

Okemos, MI • On-site

$45.25 - $58.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)
Location: Hybrid (Okemos or Farmington Hills, MI)
Primary Responsibilities:
  • Partner with Agile feature teams to understand user stories, define acceptance criteria, and promote a test-first mindset through collaboration in design and refinement sessions.
  • Build, maintain, and evolve test automation frameworks using Playwright (preferred), TypeScript, or other enterprise-approved tools to support API and UI testing.
  • Drive the transition from legacy frameworks (e.g., Selenium + Java, Postman/Newman) to unified automation aligned with our CI/CD strategy.
  • Collaborate with developers and QA engineers to ensure test cases are executed in CI pipelines and provide fast, actionable feedback.
  • Support feature teams with manual testing efforts when needed, including test case design, exploratory testing, and validation of complex workflows that are not yet automated.
  • Develop and maintain automated API tests (REST/SOAP) and end-to-end tests that validate functional and non-functional requirements.
  • Participate in code reviews and contribute to test architecture decisions to ensure reliability, reusability, and scalability of test assets.
  • Write and maintain SQL queries to validate data integrity and support test data creation strategies.
  • Serve as a quality engineering champion-help guide automation strategy, mentoring peers, and contributing to continuous improvement of QA practices.
  • Ensure traceability between requirements, tests, and defects, and support compliance with enterprise policies (e.g., HIPAA, security, audit readiness).

Preferred Experience:
  • Hands-on experience with Playwright (TypeScript preferred) or similar frameworks like Cypress.
  • Migration experience from Selenium + Java or Postman to modern frameworks.
  • Familiarity with test reporting, dashboarding, and quality metrics in a DevOps environment.
  • Experience with test case management tools (e.g., qTest, QMetry, TestRail) and requirements traceability.