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Software Engineer Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

ECHO

Software Engineer Manager

Lake Zurich, IL · On-site +1

$165K - $180K/yr

ECHO is seeking a hands-on Software Engineering Manager to lead a team responsible for enterprise integrations, API services, platform engineering, and full-stack application development. This role ...

TriOptus LLC

Software Engineer

Deerfield, IL · On-site

Modify existing databases and database management systems. * Write and code logical and physical ... Azure Engineer,Software Developer Background Check : No Drug Screen : No

Next Step Systems

Software Engineer

Northbrook, IL · On-site

Software Engineers and Applications Developers design, develop and maintain proprietary in-house solutions that support operations, financial modeling and portfolio management. Benefits include ...

Inspira Financial

Sr. Software Engineer (Remote)

Oak Brook, IL · On-site +1

$123K - $163K/yr

The Senior Software Engineer will report to a Software Engineering Manager in the Technology Department. Duties & Responsibilities: By collaborating closely with fellow product development team ...

Hi-Tech Solutions

Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Market Rate JOB SPECIFICATIONS Undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Management Systems or equivalent 7+ years of software engineering experience Spring ...

Braven

Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Job Title : Software Engineer Team : Systems Location : Hybrid in Chicago (IL) Employment Type ... Strong organizational and task management skills, with the ability to prioritize work, ensure ...

Braven

Software Engineer

Chicago, IL

Job Title : Software Engineer Team : Systems Location : Hybrid in Chicago (IL) Employment Type ... Strong organizational and task management skills, with the ability to prioritize work, ensure ...

Braven

Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Job Title : Software Engineer Team : Systems Location : Hybrid in Chicago (IL) Employment Type ... Strong organizational and task management skills, with the ability to prioritize work, ensure ...

Caterpillar

Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$89K - $144K/yr

... management, eCommerce, digital marketing, rental & used digital solutions, and aftermarket leads & insights. About the Role As a Software Engineering Professional, you will play a key role in ...

Univision

Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$108K/yr

Software Engineer Summary: We are seeking a Software Engineer who will join our Engineering team ... Identify automation opportunities within the media management space and develop maintainable ...

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All JobsSoftware Engineer JobsSoftware Engineer Manager JobsSoftware Engineer Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL

Software Engineer Manager information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$102.6K

$174.6K

$206.7K

How much do software engineer manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for software engineer manager in Chicago, IL is $174,625.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $178,400.00 and $178,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Software Engineer Managers when transitioning from an individual contributor role?

Software Engineer Managers often find the shift from coding-focused work to leadership responsibilities challenging. Instead of primarily writing code, their days are filled with mentoring team members, managing project timelines, and facilitating communication between technical and non-technical stakeholders. Balancing technical oversight with people management, and learning to delegate effectively, are critical skills to develop. Additionally, they must stay current with technology trends while focusing on team growth and performance.

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

AspectSoftware Engineer ManagerSoftware Developer
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in CS or related field; often leadership experienceBachelor's degree in CS or related field; coding skills
Work EnvironmentLeads teams, manages projects, collaborates with stakeholdersFocuses on coding, designing, and implementing software solutions
Industry UsageCommon in tech companies, startups, large enterprisesWidespread across industries, including tech, finance, healthcare
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding managerial roles, career progressionTechnical skills, coding responsibilities

The main difference between a Software Engineer Manager and a Software Developer lies in their responsibilities. The manager oversees teams, manages projects, and aligns technical work with business goals, while the developer primarily focuses on coding and building software solutions. Both roles require strong technical skills, but the manager also needs leadership and project management abilities.

How much do software engineer managers get paid?

Software engineer managers typically earn between $100,000 and $180,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. Senior managers or those in high-cost areas may earn higher salaries, often supplemented with bonuses and stock options.

What is a Software Engineer Manager?

A Software Engineer Manager is a professional who leads a team of software engineers, overseeing the design, development, and deployment of software projects. They are responsible for managing team performance, setting goals, and ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget. In addition to technical expertise, they also handle hiring, mentoring, and career development of team members. Software Engineer Managers often collaborate with other departments to align technical solutions with business objectives. Their role combines leadership, project management, and deep technical knowledge.

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

To thrive as a Software Engineer Manager, you need a solid background in software development, team leadership experience, and often a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with project management tools (like Jira), version control systems (such as Git), and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) is typically required, along with relevant certifications. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and mentoring abilities help you build effective teams and drive project success. These skills ensure you can lead technical initiatives, foster collaboration, and deliver high-quality software solutions in dynamic environments.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior software engineers, engineering managers, and principal engineers in the technology industry can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and working at large tech companies or in high-cost-of-living areas. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options or equity. Achieving this level typically requires strong technical expertise, leadership abilities, and a track record of impactful projects.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior software engineers, especially those in high-cost-of-living areas or working at major tech companies, can earn $500,000 or more annually through base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Roles requiring advanced skills in areas like machine learning, cloud infrastructure, or executive-level management are more likely to reach this compensation level.

What does a software engineer manager do?

A software engineer manager oversees software development teams, coordinates project planning, and ensures timely delivery of high-quality software products. They also handle team management, performance evaluations, and collaborate with other departments to align technical goals with business objectives.
What are the most commonly searched types of Software Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Software Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Software Engineer Manager jobs in Chicago, IL? For Software Engineer Manager jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Software Engineer Manager jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Software Engineer Manager jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Software Engineer Manager jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Software Engineer Manager job openings:
Software Engineer Manager jobs near you
Software Engineer Manager

Software Engineer Manager

ECHO

Lake Zurich, IL • On-site, Remote

$165K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

ECHO Incorporated is an industry leader in developing and manufacturing high-performance, professional-grade, handheld outdoor power equipment. With distributors and thousands of dealers across North and South America, ECHO is constantly anticipating the future of the outdoor power equipment industry and the need for environmental sustainability. Working for ECHO means joining a team of people who are committed to collaboration, innovation, creativity, and high-quality products that make us a globally competitive brand.
ECHO is seeking a hands-on Software Engineering Manager to lead a team responsible for enterprise integrations, API services, platform engineering, and full-stack application development. This role is responsible for building and developing a high-performing engineering team, establishing technical direction, driving architectural decisions, and ensuring successful delivery of scalable, secure, and reliable solutions.
The ideal candidate combines strong people leadership with deep technical expertise and is comfortable mentoring engineers, guiding architectural patterns, and contributing to technical design and implementation when needed.
The salary range for this position is $165,000-$180,000 based on experience and qualifications.
This is a hybrid position that will offer the flexibility of working from home and on-site at our Lake Zurich facility.
ECHO's benefits include:
  • 11 paid holidays
  • Extremely affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Yearly bonus potential
  • 5% 401K match
  • Tuition reimbursement

Duties/Responsibilities:
Engineering Leadership & Team Development
  • Lead, coach, mentor, and develop a team of software engineers across integration, API, platform, and full-stack development disciplines.
  • Establish team priorities, goals, and delivery commitments aligned with business and technology objectives.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, continuous learning, and engineering excellence.
  • Conduct performance reviews, career development planning, succession planning, and talent acquisition activities.
  • Remove organizational and technical barriers that impact team productivity and delivery.

Technical Leadership & Architecture
  • Define and drive architectural vision, standards, and best practices for enterprise applications, integrations, APIs, and platform services.
  • Guide engineering teams in designing scalable, secure, maintainable, and high-performing solutions.
  • Lead architecture reviews, design discussions, and technical decision-making across multiple projects and platforms.
  • Ensure adherence to software engineering principles, coding standards, security requirements, and operational best practices.
  • Partner with enterprise architects and technology leaders to align solutions with the organization's long-term technology strategy.

Delivery & Execution
  • Oversee the planning, prioritization, and successful execution of engineering initiatives.
  • Collaborate with business stakeholders, product owners, and technology teams to translate business needs into technical solutions.
  • Balance strategic initiatives, technical debt reduction, platform modernization, and operational support activities.
  • Ensure projects are delivered with high quality, reliability, and predictable outcomes.
  • Drive continuous improvement in development processes, Agile practices, and team effectiveness.

Hands-On Engineering
  • Participate in technical design, solution reviews, code reviews, and troubleshooting of complex issues.
  • Provide guidance on full-stack application development, API design, integration patterns, and cloud-native architectures.
  • Support critical production incidents and root-cause analysis efforts.
  • Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend improvements to platforms, tools, and development practices.

Platform, Integration & API Management
  • Lead the design, development, and support of enterprise integrations, middleware services, APIs, and platform capabilities.
  • Drive API lifecycle management, governance, monitoring, and performance optimization.
  • Promote reusable services, standardized integration patterns, and platform capabilities that accelerate development across teams.
  • Partner with Infrastructure, Security, and DevOps teams to improve scalability, reliability, observability, and automation.

Job Experience/Skills:
  • 8+ years of software engineering experience with enterprise applications, APIs, and integrations, including full-stack application development.
  • 4+ years of experience leading and managing software engineering teams.
  • Strong experience with modern software architecture, system design, integration patterns, and API development.
  • Experience building and supporting full-stack applications using modern frontend and backend technologies.
  • Experience with cloud platforms such as Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud (Preferably Azure).
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, influence technical decisions, and deliver complex technology initiatives.
  • Strong communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with integration platforms such as Boomi, MuleSoft, Azure Integration Services, Kafka, or similar technologies.
  • Experience with microservices, event-driven architectures, CI/CD pipelines, DevOps practices, and platform engineering.
  • Experience in manufacturing, distribution, supply chain, or enterprise business environments.

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field.
Equal Opportunity Employment:
We are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all applicants.
E-Verification:
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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