Software Development Manager Jobs in Washington, DC

Job Summary:
Hughes is a leading provider of satellite and managed network services. The Senior Software Development Manager will oversee software development teams responsible for aviation and mobility connectivity services, ensuring the delivery of software systems that operate in high-availability environments while aligning technical execution with business objectives.
Responsibilities:
• Oversee the full software development lifecycle for aviation mobility services, from architecture and design through deployment, certification readiness, and operational support
• Manage delivery across multiple concurrent initiatives, ensuring alignment with customer-specific programs, operational readiness timelines, and service availability requirements
• Allocate resources effectively across developers, QA engineers, and cross‑functional partners to meet program milestones and operational commitments
• Work closely with engineering teams to ensure software components integrate efficiently across onboard aircraft systems, ground infrastructure, and cloud platforms
• Guide the implementation of APIs, microservices, and CI/CD pipelines that support distributed, aircraft‑to‑ground communication architectures
• Enforce software architecture best practices to ensure scalability, resiliency, and maintainability in mission‑critical aviation systems
• Provide technical leadership and architectural guidance, making informed decisions on technology stacks, system design, and development methodologies suitable for high‑reliability aviation environments
• Ensure adherence to disciplined engineering practices across the full software and hardware development lifecycle, including design reviews, code reviews, testing, and release readiness
• Collaborate with product managers, program teams, and operational stakeholders to understand airline, passenger, and aviation operational requirements
• Translate mobility and aviation service requirements into actionable technical roadmaps, development plans, and delivery milestones aligned with business priorities
• Establish and maintain reliability processes for aviation mobility services, including automated testing, integration testing, and operational validation under realistic flight and network conditions
• Ensure systems meet defined service‑level objectives (SLOs) and support continuous availability across a global fleet
• Identify technical and delivery risks associated with aviation connectivity platforms, including integration, scalability, and operational risks, and develop mitigation strategies
• Define and track KPIs related to delivery performance, service availability, incident trends, and operational effectiveness
• Use data‑driven insights to drive continuous improvement across engineering processes and system performance
• Lead and mentor software development teams focused on delivering aeronautical and mobility connectivity platforms, fostering a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Establish clear goals, expectations, and performance objectives for team members, and conduct regular performance and development assessments
Qualifications:
Required:
• Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field
• 5 years of experience managing software engineering teams delivering complex, production‑grade systems
• 5 years of experience in a technical lead role designing and architecting distributed and cloud‑based systems
• Prior experience partnering with product, program, and operations teams in enterprise or regulated environments
Preferred:
• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field preferred
• Experience supporting aviation, mobility, or mission‑critical connectivity platforms
• Strong knowledge of engineering practices across the full development lifecycle, including coding standards, source control, build pipelines, testing, and release management
• Industry certifications related to project management, software development, or leadership
• Experience with agile development practices and tools such as Scrum or Kanban
• Exceptional problem‑solving, prioritization, and decision‑making skills
• Knowledge of ML frameworks or data‑driven systems used for operational insights and performance optimization
• Strong ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders, including operational and leadership teams
Company:
Hughes provides private and government organizations with broadband satellite services, products, and managed network solutions. Founded in 1971, the company is headquartered in Germantown, USA, with a team of 1001-5000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.